ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Although the term animal assisted therapy is relatively new, the use of animals
to overcome disease or a condition in humans is not a new idea. The earliest use of animals
for therapeutic purposes was noticed in Belgium, where animals and humans
were rehabilitated together, and animals were an important part of human natural
therapy.
The application of various therapies and activities with children with disabilities
in order to improve their overall condition and the implementation of daily activities
is expanding. One of the modern approaches in the treatment of children with disabilities
is canine assisted therapy and focuses on improving a person's physical, cognitive
and socio-emotional functioning.
Our research was organized in a quasi-experimental format, there were control
and experimental groups, including children with motor disorders, speech problems
and children with behavioural problems. The control group underwent classical treatment
with a special educator and rehabilitator, while the experimental group received
dog assisted therapy.
Researches indicate that the presence of a dog during the therapies helps children
improve their mood, increases their will to actively participate, have easier emotional
expression, improves or overcomes speech disorders, encourages communication,
improves psychomotor development and achieves a range physiological benefits.