ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY AT APAE / SG: A STUDY DESIGNED BY THEORY BIOECOLOGY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.

Abstract

Based on an Animal-assisted therapy experience - therapy using dogs for therapeutic or educational purposes, this study was developed with a group of children with disabilities at APAE, in São Gonçalo, and held in partnership with the police kennel in the same city. Our overall aim is to describe the animal-assisted therapy project, considering human development and the relationship between Man and Animal. Therefore, we rely on the Bioecological theory of human development proposed by Bronfenbrenner. Participants were a group of 30 pupils from 4 to 16, with disabilities (Cerebral Palsy with Intellectual Disabilities). As a tool for data collection, we use three
sheets of functional evaluation and development. Results have shown that, in general, living with dogs encourages responsibility, self-esteem and selfcontrol and that dealing with a dog increases a degree of motivation that will enable a better biopsychosocial development since even the toughest individual tend to stagger in the presence of a dog. This reduces their defenses and facilitates the therapeutic action.