Exploring Impacts of Integrating a Rehabilitation Dog into Physiotherapy from the Perspectives of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Caregivers.

Background: Rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy (CP) often includes physiotherapy to enhance community participation and quality of life. Animal-assisted services (AAS) are a novel approach in physiotherapy to increase motivation, enjoyment and wellbeing. Our team conducted a study integ...

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Publicado en:NeuroRehabilitation Vol. 57; no. 3; pp. 377 - 389
Autores principales: Caron, Valerie, Oates, Alison, Petrin, Julie, Pinto, Romany, Lanovaz, Joel, Oosman, Sarah, Dell, Colleen A., Donkers, Sarah
Formato: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. Nov2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Nov2025
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      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
      place: Thousand Oaks, California
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        atl: Exploring Impacts of Integrating a Rehabilitation Dog into Physiotherapy from the Perspectives of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Caregivers.
      aug:
        au:
          Caron, Valerie
          Oates, Alison
          Petrin, Julie
          Pinto, Romany
          Lanovaz, Joel
          Oosman, Sarah
          Dell, Colleen A.
          Donkers, Sarah
        affil: School of Rehabilitation Science, University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
      sug:
        subj:
          Pet Therapy
          Therapy Animals
          Dogs
          Physical Therapy Methods
          Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
          Caregivers Psychosocial Factors
          Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation
          Balance, Postural
          Walking
          Purposive Sample
          Human
          Life Experiences
          Descriptive Research
          Thematic Analysis
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Child
          Adolescence
          Scales
          Funding Source
          Child: 6-12 years
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
      ab: Background: Rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy (CP) often includes physiotherapy to enhance community participation and quality of life. Animal-assisted services (AAS) are a novel approach in physiotherapy to increase motivation, enjoyment and wellbeing. Our team conducted a study integrating a rehabilitation dog (Loki) into animal-assisted physiotherapy (AA-PT) for children with CP. This study presents the experiences and perspectives of children with CP who worked with Loki. Methods: Interpretive Description approach with reflective thematic analysis was used. Semi-structured interviews were completed at two timepoints: T1) single timepoint walking with Loki; T2) after an 8-week AA-PT intervention with Loki (subset of participants). Results: Ambulatory children with CP aged 7–16 years (n = 11 (T1); n = 4 (T2)) and their caregiver (n = 11 (T1); n = 4 (T2)) participated. Three themes describing the perceived impact of working with Loki were described: 1) Connection, Relationship and Bonding; 2) Being upheld: physical support and emotional safety; 3) Empowerment Through Participation and Confidence. Conclusion: Children with CP and their caregivers reported immense enjoyment and value in having Loki present as part of the physiotherapy intervention. Centered around an immediate bond formed with Loki, the emotional and physical support children experienced improved willingness to participate in the AA-PT and in community following interactions with Loki.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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