Dog-assisted interventions They constitute a relatively recent therapeutic modality that is showing promising results in the field of neurorehabilitation. These types of interventions are used as a complement to conventional therapies and aim to promote the overall well-being of the person during the rehabilitation process.
Despite these positive results, the lack of specific regulation and the apparently playful nature that, in some cases, these activities adopt can generate a skeptical perception among some health professionals. This view is reinforced by the fact that, historically, animal-assisted interventions have not always been developed under methodological criteria specific to health sciences.
However, in the In recent years, studies have begun to be carried out in a more regulated and systematized manner, mainly in the United States and Northern Europe. These investigations have applied rigorous scientific methodologies with the aim of obtaining measurable and testable results, and their results have been published in specialized scientific journals. Available evidence indicates that dog-assisted interventions applied to clinical groups with specific neurological pathologies may be an effective complementary method to other established therapies.s.
Despite this, there is still a lack of studies with high methodological quality that allow the definition of standardized protocols and clearly delimited therapeutic programs for their clinical application. This limitation makes it necessary to continue to deepen research to consolidate existing scientific evidence.
The success of dog-assisted interventions depends on multiple factors, among which the following stand out in particular:
- The correct selection of the animal.
- The correct selection of the user.
- The participation of properly trained personnel.
- The use of structured protocols and realistic individual and group objectives, agreed upon by the entire direct care team.
Several studies have shown that dog-assisted therapy can produce benefits in different areas of a person's functioning., specifically:
- Promotes physical functioning.
- It promotes social functioning.
- Improves emotional functioning.
- It stimulates cognitive functioning.
These benefits contribute to an increase in overall well-being, increase motivation during the rehabilitation process and, consequently, improve the quality of life of the participants.
Specifically regarding the field of neurophysiotherapy and the community of people with cerebral palsy, the available scientific evidence is still limited. However, it is worth noting a systematic review that concludes that dog-assisted therapy can be a potentially useful intervention to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. Another systematic review notes that these interventions promote social skills, reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and promote communication and interaction. In addition, a study conducted in people with brain injury or spinal cord injury shows 33% improvements in cognitive function and 37% in functional independence.
Despite these positive results, most studies agree in pointing out the need to develop more exhaustive scientific research that allows for the establishment of more rigorous and validated action protocols.
The playful nature of group sessions with dogs facilitates communication and interaction between participants. and offers great versatility of action. This approach helps reduce the perception of being immersed in a strictly clinical rehabilitation process, while providing significant psychosocial benefits.
For this reason, it is considered essential to protocolize this type of intervention and implement a rigorous work methodology, accepted and recognized by professionals. However, this protocolization must be accompanied by scientific validation that clearly demonstrates the benefits obtained through this therapy.
Currently, in The Aspace Catalunya Foundation, the neurorehabilitation team carries out dog-assisted therapy sessions in collaboration with the Tan Amigos ProjectThe sessions are held in small and homogeneous groups of users of the Day and Occupational Center, with the participation of a physiotherapist and a canine technician.
At the beginning of the course the individual objectives of the neurorehabilitation area are defined for each user, which may include working on static and/or dynamic balance, encouraging autonomous postural changes, stimulating autonomy during movement or maintaining body awareness. At the same time, group goals are set such as the feeling of belonging to the group, waiting time work, communication with others or attention maintained during the activity. These objectives are agreed upon with the canine technician and the most suitable tools and dog to achieve them are decided during the sessions.
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- Widmar DH, Feuillan KA. Animal-Assisted Therapy. In: Grabois M, Garrison SJ, Hart KA, Lehmkuhl LD, editors. Physical medicine and rehabilitation—the complete approach. Oxford: Blackwell; 2000. p. 733—61.
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