Pet+Therapy

Leslie Nelson SPED 843  Dr. Aronin  Spring 2011

 Pet Therapy __Description of Intervention Method__ Pet therapy, also referred to as animal assisted therapy; consist of a student interaction with an animal, most commonly a dog, that has been specially trained to interact with people, regardless of their abilities.

__Types of Students Who Benefit from the Method__  All students benefit from animal assisted therapy regardless of their ability or disability.

__Qualifications for Using the Method__  The animal being used in animal assisted therapy and their handler must be certified. Currently there are two nationally know agencies, [|The Delta Society] and [|Therapy Dogs International], that certify both pet and handler. You can also search for local agencies in your state. In Kansas, you can be certified by [|CARES].

__Costs of Using the Method__  If you are at a school that has a therapy dog, students should have access to the dog free of charge. However, if you are looking to become the owner of a therapy dog, the cost is quite expensive. These costs would include the purchase/adoption of the dog (with CARES in Kansas you can purchase the dog with training), vet bills, food, leash, collar, bed, kennel, and the application fee if you are applying to The Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International.

__Potential Risks with Using the Method__  If students are afraid of dogs or the animal being used in pet therapy, they will not want to participate. There also students who have allergies to animals that would not be able to utilize pet therapy.

__Benefits of Using the Method__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Animals have the tendency to accept anyone despite their ability, looks, hygiene. This proves to be a great self esteem builder, but can also motivate students to have acceptable behavior. Pet therapy can also be used in promoting good hygiene among students, a great listening buddy, or a great reading partner.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Settings for Method Use__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Pet therapy can be used in schools, at home, or in the community.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Field’s Attitude Towards the Method__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Pet therapy seems to welcome in the field of special education.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: center;">Summary of Research Study

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Anderson, Katherine L.; Olson, Myrna R. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals, Volume 19, Number 1, 2006, pp. 35-49(15)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Description of Subjects__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The subjects of this study were a teacher, who was also the researcher, two para-educators, six students, and a two-year old toy poodle named J.D. The students were ages 6 to 11 and were members of a self-contained classroom had one to three diagnoses that included: oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, reactive attachment disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, central auditory processing disorder, mood disorder, bipolar disorder, and Asperger’s Syndrome.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Description of Research Design__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The researchers in this study used a case study design that included baseline data (using an ABC Analysis), daily observation, student interviews, parent interviews, and final interviews with the student and parents after the study was over.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Dependent Variable__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The dependent variable was the number of time the students emotional crises decreased.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Independent Variable__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The independent variable was the pet therapy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Summary of Results__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Baseline data was taken prior to the dogs arrival of the classroom that showed students number of emotion crises and what types of behavior the students had during the crisis. The result of the introducing the dog to the classroom yielded a significant decrease, in emotional crisis in each student.