ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2026
Effects of a Dog-Assisted Animal-Assisted Therapy on Behavioural Functioning in Preschool and Primary School Children: A Randomised Controlled Study.
Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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3 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAnimal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a targeted intervention that supports participants' development by involving animals in the therapeutic process. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of AAT with preschool and primary school children, including children with special educational needs (SEN).
methodsA total of 201 children (114 experimental, 87 control; including children with and without special educational needs) participated in the study. Behavioural functioning was assessed using the parent-rated Conners questionnaire and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon test and repeated measures ANOVA.
resultsMixed-design repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant Group × Time interaction for the primary behavioural outcomes, indicating that behavioural changes over time did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups. Within-group analyses showed improvements in parent-reported oppositional behaviour, cognitive problems/inattention, hyperactivity, and conduct problems in the intervention group; however, similar improvements were also observed for some outcomes in the control group.
conclusionsAlthough behavioural improvements were observed over time, the intervention did not result in significantly greater improvements than those observed in the control group. Dog-assisted AAT may provide a supportive therapeutic environment that facilitates engagement and behavioural practice; however, further adequately powered randomised controlled trials are needed to determine its effectiveness.
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