The effects of animal assisted therapy on children with neuro-developmental disorders : the parents’ perspective

Abstract

Some studies on animal assisted therapy in relation to children have concluded that it is beneficial whereas others have not (Ewing, MacDonald, Taylor, & Bowers, 2007; Karol, 2007). This study uses a qualitative approach by implementing thematic analysis to identify the effects of animal assisted therapy with children. 6 parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders were interviewed to investigate these effects. The findings show that animal assisted therapy works better in the context of other therapies and that the general attachment between children and horses was a primary source of all benefits. In addition, findings also suggest that parents’ attitudes and beliefs towards animal assisted therapy greatly influence their children which contributes to their self-efficacy within the therapy. Along with this, is the animal therapist’s contribution to the quality of the therapy’s outcome by affirming and supporting the effects of the animal on the children. Future research on the effectiveness of animal assisted therapy needs to be done in relation to the Maltese context.