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Animal Assisted Therapy
βin the classroom
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“Research over the past 30 years indicates that therapy dogs may offer physiological, emotional, social, and physical support for children (Schultze, 2006). A study conducted by Friesen, (2009) and Emmert &Gonzales (2012) in a classroom setting with an ATD found that children could express themselves easier and had improved self-esteem and confidence.
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Therapy dogs can help autistic children bond with humans (Taziki, 2012). OHaire states “Children with autism engaged in 55 percent more social behaviours when they were with animals, compared to toys,”(Pearson, 2013, p.1). Autistic children involved in a curriculum based on animals were able to learn and progress in learning; social skills, sensory awareness, decrease anxiety and improved cognitively (Taziki, 2012).
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