Effects of Dog-Assisted Education on Physical and Communicative Skills in Children with Severe and Multiple Disabilities: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Animal-assisted interventions have shown promising benefits in different populations such as children with cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder. Human–animal interaction leads to different physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits in the child. The aim of the current pilot study was to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted education program on the postural, oculomotor, linguistic and autonomy dimensions in children affected by severe and multiple disabilities. Fourteen children aged 3–12 years and affected by intellectual and physical disabilities participated in a dog-assisted program consisted of 12 sessions. The intervention involved different types of activities, exercises, and games with the dogs. A strict protocol to ensure animal wellbeing and avoid any type of stress or fatigue was followed. Children who participated in the study improved their postural control, eye-motor coordination, expression of sensations and feelings, spontaneous interaction, autonomy, and confidence. However, these results must be taken with caution due to the lack of a control group and the heterogeneity of the participants.

Therapy dog in the rehabilitation of children with disabilities – opinions and expectations of parents and professionals

“…Animal-assisted interventions; AAI). Prema dostupnoj literaturi, ova intervencija pozitivno utječe na motivaciju 3,4 , psihičko zdravlje, socijalne kompetencije, komunikacijske vještine te motoričko funkcioniranje [5][6][7][8] . Nadalje, za vrijeme hospitalizacije, prisutnost terapijskih životinja može učinkovito smanjiti anksioznost i pomoći boljem raspoloženju, čime se kod djece smanjuje stres 3 .…”

“…Terapijskim životinjama može se postići provođenje ugodnog i motivirajućeg programa, što je posebno važno kod djece s teškoćama u razvoju 7 , pri tome je bitno osvijestiti važnost odgovornog ponašanja prema terapijskim životinjama te im osigurati zdravlje i dobrobit 12 . Osim percipiranja dobrobiti, koje se postižu intervencijama sa životinjama, neophodno je propitati i istražiti moguće rizike.…”

“…Za potrebe ovoga istraživanja podatci su prikupljeni online anketom. Anketa je sastavljena na osnovi pregleda literature 5,7,8,11,13 . Ispitanici su dobrovoljno pristupili istraživanju i u svakom su trenutku mogli odustati.…”

“…Pregledom literature nailazi se na manji broj radova koji ispituju mišljenje medicinskog osoblja o utjecaju terapijskog psa [15][16][17] . Međutim, mišljenja roditelja i stručnjaka mogu se indirektno podržati rezultatima istraživanja koja ispituju utjecaj terapijskog psa na navedene razvojne aspekte 7 . Istraživanje provedeno u Turskoj (2008.…”

Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study

“…The dog must not be hungry when training and must always have access to fresh water. All these statements have been followed in other studies [34,35] will be supervised by the head and academics of the Animal-Assisted Intervention Office of the University.…”