Review article

Benefits of Therapy Dogs in Therapy and Diagnostics of Patients with Psychosocial and Health Difficulties

Gordana Buljan Flander ; Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Domagoj Štimac ; Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Renata Fridrih ; Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Raguž ; Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Kuculo ; Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Romana Galić ; City of Zagreb Office of Social Protection and Persons with Disabilities, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Even though the use of dogs in therapy is already an accepted practice in many institutions, systematic research on this topic is a relatively recent phenomenon. Over the last fifteen years there has been an increased interest in validating this practice, as well as an increase in the number of studies about this topic. In this paper we have attempted to give an overview of the research into the benefits of using therapy dogs in therapy and diagnostics, especially in therapeutic work with children, and we have presented some theoretical frameworks and biological background, mainly the effect of oxytocin, that could explain these effects.

Keywords

Therapy dogs; Animal assisted therapy; oxytocin

Hrčak ID:

214841

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/214841

Publication date:

7.1.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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