Human-Animal Bond Generated in a Brief Animal-Assisted Therapy Intervention in Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders.
Maylos Rodrigo-Claverol, Marta Manuel-Canals, Luis Lucio Lobato-Rincón, Natalia Rodriguez-Criado, Maite Roman-Casenave, Elisabet Musull-Dulcet, Esther Rodrigo-Claverol, Josep Pifarré, Yvette Miró-Bernaus
Author Information
Maylos Rodrigo-Claverol: Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain. ORCID
Marta Manuel-Canals: Santa Maria University Hospital, 25198 Lleida, Spain.
Luis Lucio Lobato-Rincón: Animal-Assisted Intervention Office, Rey Juan Carlos University, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, Spain.
Natalia Rodriguez-Criado: San Carlos University Clinical Hospital, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Maite Roman-Casenave: Mataró Hospital of Consorci Sanitari del Maresme UHA, 08304 Mataró, Spain.
Elisabet Musull-Dulcet: ITCAN Dog Assisted Interventions, 08348 Cabril, Spain.
BACKGROUND: The human-animal bond is crucial for the proper development of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) sessions. However, in specific cases such as in AAT focused on psychiatric patients who are admitted to acute units, there is only a short period of time available to establish this bond. OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree of HAB generated after two AAT sessions in adolescents admitted to acute psychiatry units. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study aimed at adolescents aged 13 to 17 years admitted to the acute child and adolescent psychiatry unit of three hospitals. INTERVENTION: Two weekly 1 h group sessions of AAT with therapy dogs. MAIN OUTCOME: The Center for the Study of Animal Wellness Pet Bonding Scale Survey (CSAWPB). RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen adolescents participated. A positive perception of the dog was generated, achieving a good level of bonding and attachment. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained make it possible to affirm that a short period of time is enough to establish a good HAB between patients and therapy dogs. This study aims to contribute to the study of non-pharmacological interventions as a complement to pharmacological treatments in adolescents with mental health disorders.
