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Dog-Assisted Therapies and Activities in Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Physical and Mental Disabilities
- Source :
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 12, Issue 5, Pages 5046-5060, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 12, Iss 5, Pp 5046-5060 (2015)
- Publication Year :
- 2015
- Publisher :
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2015.
-
Abstract
- The aim of the present study was to evaluate dog-assisted therapies and activities in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and physical and mental disabilities who have difficulties in benefiting from well-being and health-improving services. This descriptive-explanatory study was conducted in disabled children of various ages between 2008 and 2011 by an experienced team in a private training and rehabilitation center in Antalya (Turkey). In this study, five study groups were formed among the children with physical and mental disabilities. During the therapy studies, three dogs were used. For each therapy group, the goals for the children and therapist were defined, and the activities were determined according to these goals. The entire study process was followed using audio-records and photographs of patients. The expected targets were reached in all study groups. The children who experienced fear, anxiety and difficulties due to their disabilities in daily life learned to cope with their anxieties and fears, set goals and make plans to achieve their aims. During this study, the children improved their abilities to use their bodies according to their capabilities. Accordingly, they improved their ability to develop empathy between themselves and a therapy dog, to receive and present help, and to communicate. The results of the present study revealed that dog-assisted therapies and activities can be a supportive method for routine treatment procedures in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and physical and mental disabilities.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Physical disability
Adolescent
Turkey
dog-assisted therapy
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
medicine.medical_treatment
media_common.quotation_subject
lcsh:Medicine
Animal-assisted therapy
Empathy
Article
Cerebral palsy
Dogs
children
Animal Assisted Therapy
Adaptation, Psychological
physical disability
medicine
Animals
Humans
Child
Set (psychology)
media_common
cerebral palsy
Rehabilitation
business.industry
Therapy group
Human-Animal Bond
lcsh:R
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Health Services
medicine.disease
Disabled Children
mental disability
Physical therapy
Anxiety
medicine.symptom
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16604601
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....2f5646749c08b1e4b26844fe8d9442b8
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120505046