In animal therapy, the therapeutic effect of communicating sick children with horses, dolphins and dogs is most often used. But since it is far from always possible to have a hoofed or sea animal, doctors recommend that parents opt for dogs.
What gives a child with cerebral palsy communication with animals
Kanistherapy (treatment by communicating with a dog) originated in the fifties of the last century. Since ancient times, man and dog have been drawn to each other. Doctors have long noticed what a healing effect on the nervous system of sick people is given by communication with a pet.
There are exercise systems specially designed by therapists for children with dogs. They are used for cerebral palsy, autism, developmental delay, mental disorders and cranial trauma. Classes with dogs help and adapt to society.
But not all dogs are capable of acting as a doctor. The animal should not have manifestations of aggression, anxiety, obsession. Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Newfoundlands and collies are best suited for sick children. But it also happens that it is better to find a friend and a therapist than an ordinary mongrel.
The secrets of canistherapy
The dog does not require anything from the child, does not expect immediate results from him, which is often done by the parents of the baby. The calmness and friendliness of the dog, who is not in the least angry when the child drops something or cannot pronounce a word, play a huge role. Seeing that a shaggy friend does not urge him on, the baby calms down and performs, for example, his first step.
When parents try to force a child to work with special exercise equipment or toys, they cannot interest the little man with cerebral palsy. But one has only to give the kid a stick and a ball, show how to play with a dog using these objects, the child immediately forgets about his inability and has fun developing.
Any doctor's office is already a stressful situation for a sick child. And active games in nature with your beloved pet are a time of pleasure and good relationships. Therefore, the baby forgets about his troubles and illnesses, the rehabilitation process goes naturally and easily.
There are special canistherapy centers where they will tell you which dog is better for a child with cerebral palsy, what activities and role-playing games to use to achieve greater effect. Russian centers use about 20 different methods for the rehabilitation of children using canistherapy.
