Effects of Dog-Assisted Education on Physical and Communicative Skills in Children with Severe and Multiple Disabilities: A Pilot Study
| Autor: | Daniel Collado-Mateo, Beatriz Rivera Martín, Eugenio Merellano-Navarro, Santos Villafaina, Luis Lucio Lobato Rincón, María Ángeles Medina Sánchez |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
dogs
040301 veterinary sciences Multiple disabilities Veterinary medicine media_common.quotation_subject Psychological intervention animal-assisted intervention Estadística Article animal-assisted educational program Cerebral palsy 0403 veterinary science 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Intervention (counseling) SF600-1100 medicine media_common General Veterinary Pediatría Cognition 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences medicine.disease QL1-991 Feeling disability Autism spectrum disorder Animal Science and Zoology Psychology Zoology 030217 neurology & neurosurgery Autonomy Clinical psychology |
| Zdroj: | Animals Volume 11 Issue 6 E-Prints Complutense. Archivo Institucional de la UCM instname Animals, Vol 11, Iss 1741, p 1741 (2021) Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI |
| Popis: | Simple Summary Animal-assisted interventions have benefits in different populations, such as children with cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder. In this regard, human–animal interaction leads to different physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits in the child. Therefore, this pilot study aimed 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. A total of 14 children aged 3–12 years and affected by intellectual and physical disabilities participated in 12 sessions of the dog-assisted program where participants had to play with dogs. Children who participated in the study improved their postural control, eye-motor coordination, expression of sensations and feelings, spontaneous interaction, autonomy, and confidence. 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. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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