I found this interesting article that explored animal-assisted therapy programs (mostly about dogs) within school settings: http://journals.ohiolink.edu.proxy.libraries.uc.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/Friesen_Lori.pdf?issn=10823301&issue=v37i0004&article=261_eapwcisatc
At the beginning of the article, there was a scenario with students working with a speech therapist. Each time they pronounced a word correctly, they got to flip over a card, and if it contained a bone-they would get to go pet the pet dog and say the word "sit" (to practice to 's' sound) and give the dog a treat. The children loved this game and explained that the dog was a "great listener". I found this to be a great motivator :) I had to go through speech therapy from Kindergarten through third grade, and I feel I would have enjoyed it much more if there was a pet involved!
The article goes on more to discuss the research aspect of using animals within the classroom and the pros and cons in doing so. I found it interesting at what some studies have found about the effects of using a dog for therapeutic reasons. Studies have found that children are more attentive and responsive in a classroom where a dog is present. They are a huge benefit for children physiologically, emotionally, socially, and physically. In therapeutic situations, dogs have increased alertness and attention spans. Now I know this goes a little beyond just focusing on children with disabilities, but 'disability' is such a broad term for all of the different symptoms that can occur depending on the type of disability...Anyway, I hope you all find this interesting-I know that I did :) Now I want to look up more about dogs and what sort of disabilities are most compatible with them...I am emailing Animal Planet to see if they can find me a copy of the video with the child with autism bonding with the bird :)
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This is so interesting! One of the Intervention teachers at my internship placement would bring in her dog occasionally... like once a month. The students who were pulled out to her room always got so excited when they knew the dog was in her room. I wonder if she did it for this purpose? Hmm.... I'm going to check on that!
ReplyDeleteAnimal assisted therapy includes the use of certified therapy animals as a part of treatment for many people who are physically, emotionally or socially challenged. Those who are in hospitals specially children and the old people often benefit from AAT. The animals like horses, dogs and cats can make brilliant therapy animals. AAT team comprises of the certified animals and a trained handler, This team visits to a hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities to help lift spirits and facilitate recovery.
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