Effects of Dog-Assisted Education on Physical and Communicative Skills in Children with Severe and Multiple Disabilities: A Pilot Study

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 physical, cognitive, and emotional the child. The aim of current pilot study was evaluate effects a dog-assisted education program on postural, oculomotor, linguistic autonomy dimensions affected by severe multiple disabilities. Fourteen aged 3–12 years intellectual physical disabilities participated consisted 12 sessions. intervention involved types activities, exercises, games dogs. A strict protocol ensure animal wellbeing avoid any type stress fatigue followed. Children who improved their postural control, eye-motor coordination, expression sensations feelings, spontaneous interaction, autonomy, confidence. However, these results must be taken caution due lack control group heterogeneity participants.