Animal Assisted Intervention for Developmental Disabilities

(DAID Trial)

Overseen By Megan MacDonald, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon State University

Disqualifiers: Non english-speakers, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how training a family dog using the "Do As I Do" (DAID) method might benefit children with developmental disabilities. The researchers aim to determine if this dog training can boost activity levels, improve social connections, and enhance feelings of responsibility and well-being. Participants will work with their dogs to teach them to copy actions on command, similar to a game of "Simon Says." This trial suits children aged 10-17 with a developmental disability who have a family dog. Participants should be able to follow simple instructions. As an unphased trial, this study offers families a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to support their children's development.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this dog training method is safe for participants with developmental disabilities?

Research has shown that the "Do As I Do" (DAID) dog training method is safe and well-received by participants. This method, where dogs copy their owners' actions, effectively increases physical activity and social interactions. Reports of negative effects from this training are absent. In fact, children with developmental disabilities often benefit, becoming more active daily and improving their social skills. The training is designed to be fun and supportive, ensuring an enjoyable experience for both participants and their dogs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the DAID dog training method because it introduces a unique, interactive approach to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Unlike traditional therapies that might rely on medication or behavioral interventions managed by humans, this method uses operant conditioning to teach dogs to mimic their owners' actions, creating a dynamic and engaging form of support. The potential for dogs to learn and imitate new behaviors quickly means that this approach could provide more adaptive and responsive assistance, enhancing the quality of life for both the individuals and their families.

What evidence suggests that the DAID dog training is effective for developmental disabilities?

Research has shown that "Do As I Do" (DAID) dog training can benefit children with developmental disabilities. In this trial, some participants will engage in DAID dog training, which teaches dogs to mimic their owners' actions, encouraging children to be more active and engaged. A previous study found that children and their dogs who participated in this training became more physically active. Studies have also shown improvements in social support and feelings of responsibility. These findings suggest that DAID training might enhance well-being for children by strengthening their bond with their dogs. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Megan MacDonald

Principal Investigator

Oregon State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 10-17 with developmental disabilities who can follow basic instructions and have a family dog. It's not suitable for non-English speakers or those unable to understand simple commands.

Inclusion Criteria

Participant can follow basis instructions.

I am between 10 and 17 years old.

I have a family dog.

Exclusion Criteria

I am unable to follow basic instructions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

DAID Dog Training Intervention

Participants engage in 'Do As I Do' dog training to promote physical activity and enhance the dog-human bond

12 months

Regular sessions (frequency not specified)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for physical activity and social well-being outcomes

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Do As I Do (DAID) dog training

Trial Overview

The study tests 'Do As I Do' (DAID) dog training as a way to improve physical activity, social wellbeing, and feelings of responsibility in kids with developmental disabilities by working together with their family dogs.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: DAID dog training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

'Do As I Do' (DAID) dog training employs operant conditioning to train dogs to copy the behavior of their owner upon hearing the verbal cue 'Do it', similar to teaching a dog the rules behind the game 'Simon Says'. Once this rule has been established and generalized, something that can be achieved in dogs by practicing with only 3-6 initially learned behaviors, owners can demonstrate new actions and use the cue 'Do it' to prompt a matched, imitative, behavioral response.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

No intervention (waitlisted and will be provided with the experimental condition post-study completion).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

51

Recruited

8,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have assistance dogs report that their children are significantly safer from environmental dangers and that the public treats them more respectfully, compared to parents on a waiting list for assistance dogs.

The presence of an assistance dog also enhances caregivers' sense of competence in managing their child, although some parents noted the commitment required to care for the dog as a constraint.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parents' perspectives on the value of assistance dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder: a cross-sectional study. Burgoyne, L., Dowling, L., Fitzgerald, A., et al.[2021]

Assistance dogs may enhance social behaviors and decrease the severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms, as suggested by trends observed in a study comparing six families with assistance dogs to twelve families on a waiting list.

While no significant differences were found between the two groups, families with longer partnerships with assistance dogs reported better overall wellbeing, indicating potential benefits that warrant further investigation with a larger sample size.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcomes of assistance dog placement in the home for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families: A pilot study. Leung, JY., Mackenzie, L., Dickson, C.[2022]

In a study involving 39 adults with severe to profound intellectual disability, those who participated in a 20-week dog-assisted treatment showed significant improvements in cognitive skills such as attention to movement and motor imitation.

The benefits of the dog-assisted intervention were specific to the treatment and were not influenced by the participants' age or baseline level of disability, suggesting its effectiveness across a diverse group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on Communication and Basic Social Skills of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Pilot Study. Scorzato, I., Zaninotto, L., Romano, M., et al.[2018]

A study involving 73 children with autism spectrum disorder showed that a dog training intervention significantly improved social communication skills when implemented early in the school year, with benefits lasting beyond the intervention period.

The intervention, conducted twice weekly for 4 months, was found to be an effective adjunct treatment in special education settings, suggesting that therapy dogs can enhance social interaction skills in young children with autism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dog training intervention improves adaptive social communication skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder: A controlled crossover study. Ben-Itzchak, E., Zachor, DA.[2021]

A pilot study involving 19 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed that therapy dog interventions significantly improved communication and social interaction skills, with a large effect size observed in the total score of the Assessment of Communication and Interaction Skills (ACIS).

The study demonstrated that animal-assisted intervention (AAI) is feasible and beneficial, as children showed significant improvements in their interactions with both the therapy dog and the therapist, suggesting AAI could be a valuable non-pharmacological therapy for enhancing social participation in young children with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving social participation of children with autism spectrum disorder: Pilot testing of an early animal-assisted intervention in Spain. Ávila-Álvarez, A., Alonso-Bidegain, M., De-Rosende-Celeiro, I., et al.[2021]

A 10-week therapeutic horseback riding (THR) program significantly improved caring behaviors towards family pets in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as reported by caregivers, compared to a control group engaged in no-horse activities.

The study involved 67 participants aged 6-16 years, indicating that THR may help generalize positive interactions with animals, enhancing the overall well-being of children with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Horseback Riding Crossover Effects of Attachment Behaviors with Family Pets in a Sample of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Petty, JD., Pan, Z., Dechant, B., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 10 boys aged 6 to 9 with severe autism spectrum disorder, interacting with a live dog before a challenging task significantly increased their compliance and reduced distress compared to engaging with a toy or robotic dog.

The presence of a live dog not only helped the children wait calmly during the task but also resulted in lower heart rate reactivity, suggesting a calming effect that may enhance their ability to follow instructions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can Dogs Assist Children with Severe Autism Spectrum Disorder in Complying with Challenging Demands? An Exploratory Experiment with a Live and a Robotic Dog. Silva, K., Lima, M., Santos-Magalhães, A., et al.[2018]

Canine-assisted interventions (CAIs) can provide significant benefits to clients, but the health and behavior of the dogs involved are crucial for ensuring safety, especially for vulnerable populations like those with chronic illnesses or the elderly.

Regular welfare assessments for dogs in CAIs are recommended to maintain their well-being and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the interventions for human participants.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Canine-Assisted Interventions and the Relevance of Welfare Assessments for Human Health, and Transmission of Zoonosis: A Literature Review. Meers, LL., Contalbrigo, L., Samuels, WE., et al.[2023]

Involving stakeholders in the development of the Canines for Autism Activity and Nutrition (CAAN) program significantly enhanced the program's effectiveness and quality for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The stakeholder-informed approach was crucial for creating assessment tools and program materials, ensuring that the animal-assisted intervention aligns with the needs of children undergoing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Stakeholder-Engaged Approach to Development of an Animal-Assisted Intervention for Obesity Prevention Among Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Pet Dogs. Linder, DE., Folta, SC., Must, A., et al.[2023]

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) have grown significantly in various settings, but there are currently no standardized guidelines or risk assessment tools, leading to unregulated practices.

The authors propose urgently needed guidelines focused on safety and welfare for all participants, including animals, and provide the first comprehensive risk assessment and animal welfare tools to ensure consistent standards in AAI worldwide.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Best Practice Standards in Animal-Assisted Interventions: How the LEAD Risk Assessment Tool Can Help. Brelsford, VL., Dimolareva, M., Gee, NR., et al.[2020]

In a study assessing the effectiveness of therapy dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one third of participants showed high preference for the dog, while another third showed low preference, indicating varied responses to therapy animals.

The study found that preference for the therapy dog was a good predictor of its effectiveness as a reinforcer in interventions, suggesting that systematic assessments should be conducted to optimize the use of therapy animals in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advancing Methods in Animal-Assisted Intervention: Demonstration of Starting Points in Clinical Practice for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Clay, CJ., Schmitz, BA., Hogg, AD., et al.[2023]

Citations

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Imitation-based Dog Assisted Intervention, for Children ...

This R21 application will provide a multidisciplinary One Health approach to DAID physical activity intervention for adolescents with developmental ...

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"Do as I Do” Dog Training Research Project

We are doing a research study examining the use of the family dog in animal-assisted interventions for children with developmental differences.

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medicalxpress.com

medicalxpress.com/news/2024-03-dog-physical-kids-disabilities.html

Dog-training program helps increase physical activity ...

The team started in 2017 with 45 child-dog pairs, where each child was identified by parents as having some form of developmental disability.

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sciencedirect.com

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Prediction of assistance dog training outcomes using ...

This study investigates the predictive power of machine learning and deep learning models for forecasting training outcomes in assistance dogs.

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health.oregonstate.edu/news-and-stories/2024-03/oregon-state-dog-training-program-helps-increase-physical-activity-among

Oregon State dog-training program helps increase physical ...

Study shows innovative dog-training program increases daily physical activity by 17 minutes in children with disabilities while reducing ...

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The primary purpose of this research study is to investigate the potential benefits of a dog-assisted intervention on the physical activity and social wellbeing ...

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Our results show that the Do as I do method is more effective than shaping/clicker training to teach dogs object-related actions within a relatively short time.