[Integrating a "health auxiliary" dog into the hospital: the experience of the Institut Curie]. / Intégration d'un chien "auxiliaire de santé" à l'hôpital : l'expérience de l'Institut Curie.

Drop-in center offer time with animal-assisted therapy to encourage positive interactions with patients. Curie Institute has chosen to adopt a dog full-time as a "care assistant" to work with caregivers and cancer patients. In hospital, an animal requires rigorous organization in order to train the dog for its missions while guaranteeing the well-being of the animal and the safety of the patients. It is a fantastic but strict experience.

Robotic animal-assisted therapy as a complementary therapy in clinical practice: Exploring animal-assisted intervention professional perspectives.

BACKGROUND: and Purpose: Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a therapy that incorporates animals to improve the motor, social, behavioral, and/or cognitive functioning of participants. AAT has been shown to be a beneficial intervention for a wide range of populations. Although, researchers have suggested concerns in implementing AAT. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the perspectives of therapists who incorporate AAT into their programs and to explore benefits and ethical considerations within the field of AAT. This study also aims to seek possible implications for robotic animal-assisted therapy (RAAT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Professionals from the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP) were recruited, along with members from multiple AAT private and public Facebook groups. Participants completed an anonymous online semi-structured survey, exploring their experience with and perspectives on both AAT and RAAT. Fourteen participants' responses were analyzed using Dedoose software to identify common themes in the responses. RESULTS: The results of this study provide various perspectives from professionals in different settings on the benefits of AAT, concerns about AAT, and the implication for the utilization of RAAT. The data indicated that most of the participants have not incorporated RAAT into practice. However, many of the participants believed that RAAT can be an alternative or preparatory intervention when interaction with live animals is not possible. The data collected further contributes to an emerging niche setting.

Benefícios das Intervenções Assistidas por Animais para estudantes com alteração de linguagem verbal / Benefits of Animal Assisted Intervention for students with verbal language disorders / Los Beneficios de las Intervenciones Asistidas por Animales para estudiantes con trastornos del lenguaje verbal

Introdução: As Intervenções Assistidas por Animais- IAA- com a mediação de cães compreendem atividades com fins terapêuticos e/ou educacionais, nas quais o cachorro é o principal mediador. Objetivo: Apresentar e analisar os resultados parciais das atividades desenvolvidas em um Projeto de Pesquisa e de Extensão, realizado no Colégio de Aplicação da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina- CA/UFSC, evidenciando os benefícios das IAA com a mediação de cães, no processo de desenvolvimento e aprendizagem, sobretudo da linguagem verbal (fala, leitura e escrita) para os estudantes participantes. Método: Seguiu-se a abordagem qualitativa da pesquisa e realizou-se a Análise de Conteúdo¹ dos registros em diário de campo das atividades desenvolvidas. Resultados: São apresentados os resultados de três ações realizadas no projeto durante o primeiro semestre de 2019. A análise dessas atividades demonstrou que foram favorecidas as habilidades relacionadas à linguagem verbal dos estudantes. Conclusão: Considera-se que no decorrer do projeto, os participantes das IAA com a mediação de cães vêm demonstrando melhora nas aprendizagens, bem como aperfeiçoamento nas habilidades de fala, leitura e escrita.

Introduction: The Animal Assisted Intervention with the mediation of dogs comprises activities for therapeutic and / or educational purposes, in which the dog is the main mediator. Objective: To present and analyze the partial results of the activities developed in a Research and Extension Project, carried out at the Colégio de Aplicação da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina- CA/UFSC, showing the benefits of Animal Assisted Intervention with the mediation of dogs in the process of development and learning, especially of the verbal language (speaking, reading and writing) for participating students. Method: The qualitative research approach was followed and Content Analysis¹ was carried out on the records in the daily field of the activities developed. Results: The results of three actions carried out in the project during the first semester of 2019 are presented. The analysis of these activities showed that the students' verbal language skills were instigated. Conclusion: It is considered that during the project, the participants of Animal Assisted Intervention with the mediation of dogs have been showing improvement in learning, as well as improvement in speaking, reading and writing skills.

Introducción: Las intervenciones asistidas por animales con la mediación de perros comprende actividades con fines terapéuticos y / o educativos, en las que el perro es el principal mediador. Objetivo: Presentar y analizar los resultados parciales de las actividades desarrolladas en un Proyecto de Investigación y Extensión, realizado en el Colégio de Aplicação da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina- CA/UFSC, mostrando los beneficios de las intervenciones asistidas por animales con la mediación de perros en el proceso de desarrollo y aprendizaje, especialmente del lenguaje verbal (hablar, leer y escribir) para los estudiantes participantes. Método: Se siguió el enfoque de investigación cualitativa y se realizó el Análisis de Contenido Content de los registros en el campo diario de las actividades desarrolladas. Resultados: Se presentan los resultados de tres acciones llevadas a cabo en el proyecto durante el primer semestre de 2019. El análisis de estas actividades mostró que las habilidades del lenguaje verbal de los estudiantes fueron instigadas. Conclusión: Se considera que durante el proyecto, los participantes de las intervenciones asistidas por animales con la mediación de perros han ido mostrando una mejora en el aprendizaje, así como una mejora en las habilidades de expresión oral, lectura y escritura.

The Impact of a 20-Minute Animal-Assisted Activity Session on the Physiological and Emotional States in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the direct physiological and emotional impact of an animal-assisted activity (AAA) session (a form of complementary and integrative medicine) in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 221 participants with FM who were attending Mayo Clinic's Fibromyalgia Treatment Program between August 5, 2017, and September 1, 2018. This was a randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (a 20-minute session with a certified therapy dog and handler) or the control group (a 20-minute session with a handler only). To gain a better understanding of the direct physiological and emotional effects of AAA in patients with FM, we used multiple noninvasive physiologic-emotional biomarkers, including salivary cortisol and oxytocin concentrations, tympanic membrane temperatures, and various cardiac parameters, in addition to standardized pain and mood-based questionnaires. RESULTS: Results show a decrease in heart rate, an increase in heart rate variability, an increase in well-being survey scores, an increase in salivary oxytocin, and subsequent tympanic membrane temperature changes, suggesting that participants in the treatment group were in a more positive emotional-physiologic state as a result of the AAA session compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a 20-minute therapy dog visit in an outpatient setting can significantly and positively impact the physical and mental health of patients with FM.

Youth and Pet Survivors: Exploring the Experiences of Pediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Patients in a Virtual Animal-Assisted Therapy Pen Pal Program.

Introduction: YAPS™ (Youth and Pet Survivors™) is a form of virtual animal-assisted therapy (AAT), a pen pal program designed for children and adolescents with cancer and/or having a bone marrow transplant (BMT) to engage in virtual visits with a dog or a cat (who has also been treated for cancer or serious medical illness) through letter writing and pictures. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the experiences of YAPS participants over time and to explore how virtual AAT may be an additional or alternative intervention to the traditional form of AAT, which involves live visits with animals, primarily dogs. Method: Open-ended, face-to-face interviews were conducted throughout the participants' involvement with their animal pen pal. Interviews were digitally recorded. Data were analyzed using a content analysis method. Results: Fifteen children and adolescents, aged 7 to 16 years, participated. Three main themes and five subthemes were found, including connection, shared experience, and friendship. Themes suggested that a virtual AAT letter writing program can provide a source of fun and a way to process the cancer experience with a dog or cat pen pal who has also faced cancer or serious medical treatment. Discussion: Interventions that promote well-being for pediatric oncology and BMT patients are needed, and virtual AAT seems to be one such intervention suited for those who have an affinity for animals and enjoy letter writing. The findings of this study also presented an exciting and intriguing gap for further research in virtual AAT.

Pediatric Oncology and Animal-Assisted Interventions: A Systematic Review.

Animal-assisted interventions are part of the therapeutic plan in pediatric oncology. This is the first systematic review to summarize the literature and provide insights for new clinical approaches, policy, best practices, and standards. The results underline the potentially beneficial role for pediatric patients, parents, caregivers, and medical staff.

Ensaio Clínico de Tratamento da Gagueira: estudo piloto com variável monitorada, participação do cão na sessão de terapia / Clinical Trial for Stuttering Treatment: pilot study about dog participation in the therapy session

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar o efeito da intervenção do cão na sessão regular de terapia fonoaudiológica para a gagueira do desenvolvimento em jovens adultos. Método Foram selecionados jovens adultos e adultos com diagnóstico de gagueira do desenvolvimento. Concluíram o estudo oito participantes, seis do sexo masculino e dois do sexo feminino, com idades variando entre 16 e 45 anos. Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: G1 - que realizou o tratamento para gagueira com a presença de um cão terapeuta em sala de terapia e G2 - que realizou o tratamento para gagueira sem a presença do cão terapeuta. Foi incluído um grupo controle, G3 - composto por participantes fluentes, pareado em idade e sexo ao G1 e G2, para controle da variabilidade natural da fluência da fala. Resultados A análise comparativa entre os grupos indicou que o grupo que realizou o tratamento sem a presença do cão alcançou melhores índices de performance, evolução e eficácia. Conclusão Para a população pesquisada neste estudo, não foi observado efeito da intervenção do cão na terapia fonoaudiológica.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the effect of dog intervention on the regular session of speech therapy for developmental stuttering in adults. Methods The study involved young adults and adults with developmental stuttering. The study sample was composed of eight participants, six males and two females, ranging in age from 16 to 45 years. Participants were divided into two groups: G1 - those who underwent treatment for stuttering with the presence of a dog-therapist in the therapy room and G2 - those who underwent treatment for stuttering without the presence of the dog therapist. We included a control group, G3, composed of fluent participants, matched in age and sex to G1 and G2 to control the natural variability of speech fluency. Results Comparative results between the groups indicated that the group that performed the treatment without the presence of the dog achieved better performance, evolution and efficacy rates. Conclusion for the population in this study, the dog intervention on speech therapy did not improve treatment.

Terapia assistida por animais: revisão sistemática da literatura / Animal assisted therapy: systematic review of literature

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar evidências sobre aplicação da TAA na saúde realizando revisão sistemática da literatura. Estratégia de pesquisa Foi realizado levantamento em quatro bases de dados com os descritores: terapia assistida por animais (Animal Assisted Therapy), terapia assistida por cavalos (Equine-Assisted Therapy), fonoaudiologia (speech therapy). Critérios de seleção Artigo publicado entre 2010 e 2018, em português ou inglês, com acesso eletrônico livre e que mencionava as características do programa de intervenção. Análise dos dados Critérios: casuística, área do conhecimento, característica do programa, tipo de pesquisa, ano e língua de publicação, nacionalidade, periódico e fator de impacto. Resultados 43 artigos publicados em 30 periódicos, 16 com fator de impacto, foram revisados. Os estudos clínicos prevaleceram (93,02%), 37,20% eram da Medicina, a população estudada tinha diferentes diagnósticos e idades, sendo 55,81% com adultos/idosos. A TAA foi usada preferencialmente para reabilitação física (67,44%) e o principal mediador foi o cão citado em 72,09% dos artigos. Foram descritos oito (n=8) programas com foco na intervenção em comunicação. Conclusão Há evidências científicas sobre o uso da TAA publicadas no período estudado, no Brasil e no mundo. Os programas eram utilizados por diferentes profissionais da saúde e educação. As metas da TAA eram específicas para o perfil dos participantes e condizentes com as características do animal mediador e do local.

ABSTRACT Purpose to verify the applications of AAT in health by performing a systematic review of the literature. Research strategy a survey was carried out in four databases with the descriptors: animal assisted therapy, horse assisted therapy, speech therapy. Selection criteria article published between 2010 and 2018, in Portuguese or English, free electronic access and that mentioned the characteristics of the intervention program. Data analysis criteria: casuistry, area of knowledge, program characteristic, type of research, year and language of publication, nationality, periodical and impact factor. Results 43 articles published in 30 journals, 16 with impact factor, were reviewed. Clinical studies prevailed (93.02%), 37.20% were from Medicine, the population studied had different diagnoses and ages, 55.81% with adults / elderly. AAT was used preferentially for physical rehabilitation (67.44%) and the main mediator was the dog, mentioned in 72.09% of the articles. Eight (n = 8) programs with a focus on communication intervention were described. Conclusion There is scientific evidence on the use of AAT published in the period studied, in Brazil and in the world. The programs were used by different health and education professionals. The AAT goals were specific to the profile of the participants, and consistent with the characteristics of the mediator animal and the site.

Animal-Facilitated Therapy Program: Outcomes from Caring Canines, a Program for Patients and Staff on an Inpatient Surgical Oncology Unit

BACKGROUND: Animal-facilitated therapy (AFT) is a complementary medicine intervention. To the authors' knowledge, no study has investigated the benefits of an AFT program in an adult surgical oncology setting. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of an AFT program on patients and staff on a surgical oncology unit. METHODS: A quasiexperimental design was used for the patient group, and a pre-/post-test design was used for the staff group. The intervention involved the AFT program being fully integrated on a surgical inpatient unit. Outcomes included patient-reported symptoms and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes for patients, as well as professional QOL for staff. FINDINGS: QOL indicators improved for all patients, and the level of energy at follow-up was significantly higher in the AFT group after adjusting for baseline. For staff, compassion satisfaction was high and burnout was low.

Palliative Care Matters: Lessons From the Loss of a Facility Dog.

Animal-assisted intervention is gaining attention as a stress reduction modality. Quantitative data demonstrate its effectiveness, as a recent study published in AJHPM supported that a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital facility dog paired with a palliative care psychologist had a measurable impact on salivary cortisol levels and heart rate in hospitalized veterans. There remains an important role for qualitative insights. The Denver VA palliative care team learned a range of lessons from the sudden loss of their facility dog, many of which relate directly to palliative care. The importance of communication, adjusting to changing teams, and the need for consultation and support based in shared goals and values all became evident in the course of the facility dog's illness. After her death, lessons shifted to grief and loss and how providers, patients, and a community care for each other. People's connection to the facility dog ultimately proved to be a critical factor in helping them connect with one another.

Measuring the Effects of an Animal-Assisted Intervention for Pediatric Oncology Patients and Their Parents: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial [Formula: see text].

OBJECTIVE: This multicenter, parallel-group, randomized trial examined the effects of an animal-assisted intervention on the stress, anxiety, and health-related quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer and their parents. METHOD: Newly diagnosed patients, aged 3 to 17 years (n = 106), were randomized to receive either standard care plus regular visits from a therapy dog (intervention group), or standard care only (control group). Data were collected at set points over 4 months of the child's treatment. Measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory™, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, and child blood pressure and heart rate. All instruments were completed by the child and/or his/her parent(s). RESULTS: Children in both groups experienced a significant reduction in state anxiety ( P < .001). Parents in the intervention group showed significantly decreased parenting stress ( P = .008), with no changes in stress among parents in the control group. However, no significant differences between groups over time on any measures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Animal-assisted interventions may provide certain benefits for parents and families during the initial stages of pediatric cancer treatment.

Effects of VA Facility Dog on Hospitalized Veterans Seen by a Palliative Care Psychologist: An Innovative Approach to Impacting Stress Indicators.

The United States is home to 23 million veterans. In many instances, veterans with serious illness who seek healthcare at the VA receive care from a palliative care service. Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) is gaining attention as a therapeutic stress reducing modality; however, its effects have not been well studied in veterans receiving palliative care in an acute care setting. A crossover repeated-measures study was conducted to examine the effects of an animal-assisted intervention (AAI) in the form of a therapy dog on stress indicators in 25 veterans on the palliative care service at the VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System in Denver, CO. Veterans had a visit from a therapy dog and the dog's handler, a clinical psychologist (experimental condition) and an unstructured visit with the clinical psychologist alone (control condition). Blood pressure, heart rate, and the salivary biomarkers cortisol, alpha-amylase, and immunoglobulin A were collected before, after, and 30-minutes after both the experimental and control conditions. Significant decreases in cortisol were found when the before time period was compared to the 30-minutes after time period for both the experimental ( p = 0.007) and control condition ( p = 0.036). A significant decrease in HR was also found when the before time period was compared to the 30-minutes after time period for both the experimental ( p = 0.0046) and control ( p = 0.0119) condition. Results of this study supported that a VA facility dog paired with a palliative care psychologist had a measurable impact on salivary cortisol levels and HR in veterans.

Animal-Assisted Activities: Results From a Survey of Top-Ranked Pediatric Oncology Hospitals.

Animal-assisted activities (AAA) are increasingly common, yet little is known about practices in pediatric oncology. To address this gap, we surveyed the top 20 pediatric oncology hospitals in the United States in May and June of 2014. Questionnaires were sent via e-mail and generally returned by e-mail or postal mail. Among the 19 responding hospitals, the 18 that offered AAA to pediatric patients formed the basis of our analysis. All sites had written AAA policies. Most programs were restricted to dogs. At 11 hospitals, children with cancer could participate in AAA activities. Outpatient waiting rooms and individual inpatient rooms were the most common locations for AAA with pediatric oncology patients. Safety precautions varied by hospital, but all required hand sanitation after visits and that animals receive an annual health examination, be on a leash or in a carrier, be ≥1 year old, and not be directly from a shelter. Our findings reveal consistencies and variations in practice that may help other hospitals develop their own programs and researchers identify areas of future study.

Post-operative benefits of animal-assisted therapy in pediatric surgery: a randomised study.

BACKGROUND: Interest in animal-assisted therapy has been fuelled by studies supporting the many health benefits. The purpose of this study was to better understand the impact of an animal-assisted therapy program on children response to stress and pain in the immediate post-surgical period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty children (3-17 years) were enrolled in the randomised open-label, controlled, pilot study. Patients were randomly assigned to the animal-assisted therapy-group (n = 20, who underwent a 20 min session with an animal-assisted therapy dog, after surgery) or the standard-group (n = 20, standard postoperative care). The study variables were determined in each patient, independently of the assigned group, by a researcher unblinded to the patient's group. The outcomes of the study were to define the neurological, cardiovascular and endocrinological impact of animal-assisted therapy in response to stress and pain. Electroencephalogram activity, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, cerebral prefrontal oxygenation, salivary cortisol levels and the faces pain scale were considered as outcome measures. RESULTS: After entrance of the dog faster electroencephalogram diffuse beta-activity (> 14 Hz) was reported in all children of the animal-assisted therapy group; in the standard-group no beta-activity was recorded (100% vs 0%, p<0.001). During observation, some differences in the time profile between groups were observed for heart rate (test for interaction p = 0.018), oxygen saturation (test for interaction p = 0.06) and cerebral oxygenation (test for interaction p = 0.09). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were influenced by animal-assisted therapy, though a higher variability in diastolic pressure was observed. Salivary cortisol levels did not show different behaviours over time between groups (p=0.70). Lower pain perception was noted in the animal-assisted group in comparison with the standard-group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Animal-assisted therapy facilitated rapid recovery in vigilance and activity after anaesthesia, modified pain perception and induced emotional prefrontal responses. An adaptative cardiovascular response was also present. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02284100.

Animal-Assisted Therapy and Counseling Support for Women With Breast Cancer: An Exploration of Patient's Perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) interventions have been shown to assist in coping and improve patient responses to symptoms. Specifically, the presence of an animal has been found to lower anxiety and motivate participation in therapy. We aimed to explore the acceptability of and experience of AAT during individual breast cancer counseling sessions. METHODS: Patients undertaking counseling with a therapy dog present were invited to participate in the study. Patients were individually interviewed and asked to reflect on their experiences of AAT. Data generation and analysis were concurrent. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using a process of constant comparison. RESULTS: Our sample included 8 female participants, 39 to 61 years old, at an average of 3 years post-breast cancer diagnosis. The majority of patients reported a positive experience with AAT. Themes that emerged around their counseling experience included benefits in the process of initiating counseling and benefits for greater engagement and personal disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating AAT into the delivery of counseling for breast cancer patients appears to be feasible and acceptable at a patient level. From a clinical perspective, AAT promoted increased communication with health professionals. This is of clinical importance as a means to improve participation and engagement in therapy-important elements in therapeutic outcomes. However, further evaluation of the impact of AAT on specific patient outcomes and psychological morbidity is required.

Furry and feathered family members--a critical review of their role in palliative care.

This article presents a comprehensive critical review of the peer-reviewed literature on palliative care and companion animals (CAs), reporting on the evidence and knowledge base regarding CAs and their role for people at end of life. PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for studies pertaining to CAs, end of life, and hospice palliative care. Six studies dealt specifically with empirical research. The remaining literature addressed the topic peripherally or anecdotally. The evidence for efficacy and the knowledge base about the role of CAs at end of life in hospice and palliative care is weak. Further efforts are required to study the conditions under which CAs may be beneficial for patient care, including acceptability to staff, family, and other patients, and with consideration of welfare for the animals involved.

Palliative care and use of animal-assisted therapy.

A growing body of research and clinical reports support the benefits of utilizing animal-assisted therapy (AAT) as a complementary, transdisciplinary treatment intervention in medical settings. However, fewer articles are found demonstrating AAT's use in palliative care settings. This article is a study of the effects of AAT in palliative care situations, presenting one anecdotal clinical vignette. In this way, the efficacy of this technique in decreasing patient pain, thereby increasing patient quality of life, and lowering staff stress levels may be illustrated.

A percepção de idosas institucionalizadas sobre o uso do cão durante o atendimento fisioterapêutico / The perception of institutionalized elderly about physical therapy session assisted by a dog

Introdução: A Cinoterapia é uma Terapia Assistida por Animais,especificamente com cães e é utilizada em diferentes faixas etárias,incluindo idosos. Objetivo: Identificar a percepção de idosas institucionalizadas sobre o uso do cão no atendimento fisioterapêutico. Métodos: Para esta pesquisa descritiva qualitativa utilizou-se uma ficha de avaliação e entrevista narrativa individual. Durante 8 sessões(2 vezes na semana, uma com e outra sem o cão) realizou-se uma pista de exercícios com 5 idosas. Resultados: Após análise, elencou-se duas categorias: O cão como aliado a fisioterapia: percepções de idosos institucionalizados e Idoso institucionalizado: questões a considerar. A primeira trouxe como elementos os benefícios e dificuldades encontradas,como a dificuldade de conduzir o animal e o auxílio do mesmo no aprendizado dos exercícios. A segunda mostrou o caráter emocional ao cão (remetendo-as a experiências com seus animais) e contradições nas falas (pode ser explicado pelo comprometimento cognitivo destas). Conclusão: Entende-se que o cão pode ser um recurso a ser utilizado pela fisioterapia, porém requer animal treinadoe capacitação profissional. Ao ser incorporado no atendimento, as participantes trouxeram mais componentes benéficos como a vivência de relação de carinho e estímulo ao aprendizado, sugerindo que esta técnica deva ser mais utilizada para este público.

Introduction: Cinotherapy is an animal-assisted therapy, mainlywith dogs and it is used at different ages, including old people. Aim: To identify perception of institutionalized elderly about physical therapy session assisted by a dog. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive research which used an evaluation form and personal narrative interview. During 8 sessions (twice a week, one day assisted by the dog and the other day without), we performed a circuit exercises with five old women. Results: After analysis, we determined two categories: Dog-assisted physical therapy: perception of institutionalized elderly and institutionalized elderly: questions to consider. The firs thas brought as elements the Benefits and difficulties found, such as difficulty to carry the animal and the help in learning exercises. The second showed the love and affection with the dog (they remember about experiences with their own animals) and contradictions in their speeches (can be explained by the cognitive impairment). Conclusion: We can understand that the dog is a resource to be used by the physical therapy, but the animal should be already trained and professionally qualified. It was observed that sessions with dog-assisted therapy brought more benefits to the participants such as love and affection relationship and encouragement for learning,suggesting that this technique should be more used for those clients.