Neuropediatrics 2011; 42 - P039
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1274011

Dog-assisted therapy for severe impaired children during inpatient early rehabilitation: Goals, content and efficacy

U Blankenburg 1, R Keßner 1, J Sömmer 1, K Weiss 2, M Hirzinger 2, L Gushahn 2, C Eberhard 2, E Romein 2, C von Rienhardt 3, S Berweck 1, E Antonius-Kluger 2, G Kluger 1, B Reiserer 1
  • 1Schön Klinik Vogtareuth, Klinik für Neuropädiatrie und Neurologische Rehabilitation, Vogtareuth, Germany
  • 2–-, Vogtareuth, Germany
  • 3Animal Learn, Bernau, Germany

Aims: Our centre has been offering dog-assisted therapy (DAT) as part of the in-patient early rehabilitation process since 2004. The therapy is guided by a physiotherapist, speech therapist or occupational therapist and is provided especially for children who have severe neurological impairment (especially those in a persistent vegetative state). The efficacy of the treatment is evaluated as part of an ongoing quality management process.

Question: Which children receive DAT, what does it involve, and have the therapeutic goals been reached? 19 dogs have been trained in a special programm.

Methods: Prospective, mono-centric observational study of 528 DAT sessions. The therapy content was evaluated and the achievement of pre-defined therapeutic goals was assessed.

Results: 176 patients (age 1–24 years, mean 6) with head injuries, hypoxic events, cerebral haemorrhages, cancer-related diseases, injuries to the spinal cord. Minimally responsive state: 70%, ventilation/endotracheal tube: 21%, intrathecal Baclofen therapy: 23%, tube feeding: 65%. As well as the key goal of emotional relaxation for parents and the child, common individual goals of DAT were: 1. to increase alertness, achieve attention responses; 2. to stimulate interaction/communication between the child and the dog (e.g. fixing/following the dog); 3. to achieve muscle tone control, initiation of movements. At least one of the pre-defined therapeutic goals was attained in 93% of patients.

Discussion: Without a control group, the therapeutic success is difficult to distinguish from any natural course of remission. DAT, however, has proven its efficacy at our centre as an additional therapy with pre-defined therapeutic goals and in particular consideration of the adequate treatment of the dogs in accordance with animal welfare. Especially in children who are in the early stages of remission after being in a vegetative state. We believe that DAT's most important content is the dog's spontaneous contact with the child, based on the child's cognitive and physical abilities.