Dog Training Therapy for Behavioral Disorders

Overseen By Jennifer A Ponting

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Chicago

Disqualifiers: Severe cognitive, psychiatric, physical, others

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

48 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to consult with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider for guidance.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Dog Training Therapy for Behavioral Disorders?

Animal-assisted therapy, which includes working with therapy dogs, has shown positive outcomes such as reduced pain and anxiety in patients, as well as improved mood and satisfaction among hospital staff. These benefits suggest that similar interventions, like Dog Training Therapy, could be effective for behavioral disorders. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is dog training therapy generally safe for humans?

Animal-assisted therapy, including dog training therapy, is generally considered safe when conducted by certified and trained teams. It is important for therapy teams to be co-certified to ensure patient safety and beneficial outcomes. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How is the Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy treatment different from other treatments for behavioral disorders?

Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy is unique because it involves specially trained dogs working with patients to improve their mental health, leveraging the therapeutic bond between humans and animals. Unlike traditional treatments, this therapy focuses on the emotional and social benefits of interacting with animals, which can help reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. ^{1 3 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this pilot project is to test for initial efficacy of the Recovery \& Care Canine-Assisted Therapy program that has been developed and implemented in Lawrence Hall, a Chicago-based residential treatment center for maltreated youth. In this study, the investigators test the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term efficacy of expanding the program to a group of youth currently in outpatient treatment for social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Results from this project will provide preliminary evidence of whether a structured, goal-oriented intervention program focused on dog training activities has direct impact on increasing youth emotional self-regulation, impulse control, and self-efficacy, which are important targets for intervention among youth with mental health problems. If successful, this project could lead to a larger, randomized control clinical trials study that tests the longitudinal impact of the program that could further lead to national dissemination of the Recovery \& Care curriculum as an alternative therapeutic approach.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young people getting outpatient mental health services at the University of Chicago Medical Center. They should be available for the full 8-week dog training therapy program and interested in joining.

Inclusion Criteria

I am interested in joining the program.

Currently receiving outpatient mental health services in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience or are receiving general pediatric services from the University of Chicago Medical Center

I am available for the full 6-week program.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have severe mental, emotional, or physical conditions that would stop me from participating.

Severe animal allergy

Animal phobia

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in either the Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy or the Canine Education & Bonding intervention for 6 weeks

6 weeks

6 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in social skills, affect, and self-esteem up to 1 month after the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Canine Education & Bonding
• Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests a canine-assisted therapy where youth work with dogs to improve self-esteem, emotional control, and behavior. It checks if this approach is doable, liked by participants, and effective in the short term.

Participant Groups

Group I: Experimental Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Active intervention. Youth will be assigned to the active Recovery \& Care Canine-Assisted Therapy intervention arm.

Group II: Active control Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Active control intervention. Youth will be assigned to the active Canine Education \& Bonding arm.

Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy for:

• Emotional self-regulation
• Impulse control
• Self-efficacy in youth with mental health problems

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,086

Recruited

844,000+

Canine-Therapy Corp

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

100+

Findings from Research

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) can significantly enhance rehabilitation outcomes by engaging and motivating patients, but it requires certified and trained therapy teams to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Collaboration between AAT therapists and other clinicians is essential for maximizing treatment opportunities and achieving specific rehabilitation goals, highlighting the need for standardized practices in this emerging field.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Collaboration in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy. Decina, E., Evangelista, B., Harantschuk, A.[2022]

Canine-assisted occupational therapy can enhance emotional safety and rapport between children on the autism spectrum and their therapists, as reported by parents in a study involving 10 participants.

However, the presence of a therapy dog alone is not enough to ensure engagement; the therapist's skills and the structure of goal-directed therapy are crucial for effective outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Parents' perspectives. Hill, JR., Ziviani, J., Driscoll, C.[2021]

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) was integrated into the rehabilitation of a middle-aged female patient after spinal surgery, comprising 32% of her therapy sessions, and aimed to enhance her engagement in therapeutic activities.

While the study noted improvements in sitting tolerance and functional independence measures, it could not definitively conclude the efficacy of AAT due to simultaneous therapies, highlighting the need for more rigorous research in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of animal-assisted therapy in combination with physical therapy in an inpatient rehabilitation facility: A case report. Denzer-Weiler, C., Hreha, K.[2018]

A therapy dog program at a burn center showed positive effects on patient pain and anxiety levels, with all patients expressing a desire for more sessions with the dogs after one year.

Staff members also reported high satisfaction with the therapy dog visits, noting improved mood and a strong interest in continuing the program, indicating its feasibility and acceptability in a burn rehabilitation setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of the implementation of a therapy dog program on burn center patients and staff. Pruskowski, KA., Gurney, JM., Cancio, LC.[2020]

Pet facilitated therapy can provide significant therapeutic benefits for individuals with chronic mental illness, potentially improving patient care outcomes.

Successful implementation of a pet facilitated therapy program requires careful planning, including establishing policies for animal interactions and selecting appropriate pets based on patients' personalities and experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pet project. The use of pet facilitated therapy among the chronically mentally ill. Hundley, J.[2022]

Partnerships with psychiatric assistance dogs significantly reduce PTSD severity in military veterans, with a large effect size (g = -1.129; p<0.0001) based on a meta-analysis of 9 studies.

The review highlights improvements in mental and social health for veterans with PTSD, although impacts on physical health and overall quality of life remain inconclusive, indicating areas for further research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assistance dogs for military veterans with PTSD: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis. Leighton, SC., Nieforth, LO., O'Haire, ME.[2022]

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), particularly with dogs, shows promise in significantly improving PTSD symptoms, as suggested by ongoing randomized controlled trials.

AAT may also have potential benefits in preventing suicide among PTSD patients and could be effective with various types of animals, not just canines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animal-Assisted Therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Lessons from "Case Reports" in Media Stories. Altschuler, EL.[2019]

This study is the first to evaluate the effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on injured service members, specifically 24 participants in an Occupational Therapy Life Skills program, aiming to support their reintegration.

While no significant differences were found in measured outcomes, participants reported positive emotional experiences with therapy dogs, indicating potential benefits in mood and stress management, suggesting AAT may be a valuable addition to rehabilitation programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of animal-assisted therapy on wounded warriors in an Occupational Therapy Life Skills program. Beck, CE., Gonzales, F., Sells, CH., et al.[2012]

Programs where incarcerated individuals train shelter dogs as therapy animals for Veterans with PTSD are emerging as a response to inadequate treatment options for these Veterans, highlighting the potential of animal therapy in mental health care.

There is a need for regulation and standardized training methods in these programs to ensure that Veterans receive well-trained service dogs, as the current lack of oversight leads to inconsistencies in the quality of support provided.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Helping War Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Incarcerated Individuals' Role in Therapeutic Animal Programs. Furst, G.[2018]

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a collaborative approach that integrates various health disciplines to enhance human health through interactions with qualified therapy animals, particularly dogs.

In Taiwan, the development of canine AAT has been documented, highlighting its benefits and outcomes, while also addressing practical challenges and suggesting improvements for future services and research.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Lassie's magic: animal-assisted therapy in Taiwan]. Yeh, ML.[2009]

Animal-assisted therapy can significantly help patients with chronic diseases by reducing anxiety, stress, and pain, while also improving mobility and muscular strength.

Dogs are the most commonly used animals in these therapies due to their sociability and training, but careful management is necessary to prevent health risks associated with pet interactions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Animal- assisted therapy in health care facilities]. Jofré M, L.[2020]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Collaboration in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy. [2022]

2. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Canine-assisted occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum: Parents' perspectives. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of animal-assisted therapy in combination with physical therapy in an inpatient rehabilitation facility: A case report. [2018]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of the implementation of a therapy dog program on burn center patients and staff. [2020]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pet project. The use of pet facilitated therapy among the chronically mentally ill. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assistance dogs for military veterans with PTSD: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animal-Assisted Therapy for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Lessons from "Case Reports" in Media Stories. [2019]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of animal-assisted therapy on wounded warriors in an Occupational Therapy Life Skills program. [2012]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Helping War Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Incarcerated Individuals' Role in Therapeutic Animal Programs. [2018]

10. China (Republic : 1949- ) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Lassie's magic: animal-assisted therapy in Taiwan]. [2009]

11. Chile pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Animal- assisted therapy in health care facilities]. [2020]