The Combined Use Of The Play Therapy And Animal-Assisted Therapy In Children With Early Mental Retardation

Borys Mykhaylov Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkiv
Maksim Vodka Alexander Feldman Fund", Kharkov
Tetiana Aliieva Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkіv
Inna Vashkite Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkіv

Abstract

The specifics of the animal-assisted play therapy in children with mental retardation is aimed at development of a child-oriented relationship in which the therapist enters the world of the child, considers the thoughts, feelings, perceptions and ideas that are important for the child, and through the relationships that follow, it provides a safe emotional environment in which children can overcome the problems, to cope with fear and anxiety, and to move forward in the direction of psychosocial health. Implemented on the basis of Feldman Ecopark’s Centre of psychosocial rehabilitation of children and adolescents, animal-assisted play therapy for children with mental retardation is based on the natural ways in which children learn about themselves and their relationship with the world around them. This approach helps the child to develop respect for themselves and others, awareness of the body, self-esteem, as well as a wider recognition and enforcement of their own abilities

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Borys Mykhaylov, Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkiv

MD, Professor, Head of the Department of Psychotherapy

Maksim Vodka, Alexander Feldman Fund", Kharkov

Director of the International Charity Fund "Alexander Feldman Fund"

Tetiana Aliieva, Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkіv

PhD, Assistant of the Department of Psychotherapy

Inna Vashkite, Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kharkіv

PhD, Assistant of the Department of Psychotherapy

References

Ascione F. R. Enhancing children’s attitudes about the humane treatment of animals / F. R. Ascione // Generalisation to human-directed empathy. – Anthrozoös, 1992. – No 5. – P. 176–191.

Ascione F. R. Children’s attitudes about the humane treatment of animals and empathy / F. R. Ascione, C. V. Weber // One-year follow-up of a school-based intervention. – Anthrozoös, 1996. – No 9. – P. 188–195.

Ashby J. S. Active interventions for kids and teens / J. S. Ashby, T. Kottman, D. G. DeGraaf // Adding adventure and fun to counseling. – Alexandria, VA, American Counseling Association, 2008.

Beck A. Between pets and people / A. Beck, A. Katcher // The importance of animal companioship. – West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Press, 1996.

Bowers M. J. The effectiveness of equine-facilitated psychotherapy with at-risk adolescents / M. J. Bowers, P. M. MacDonald // Journal of Psychology and the Behavioral Sciences. – 2001. – No 15. – Р. 62–76.

Bratton S. C. The efficacy of play therapy with children: A meta-analytic review of treatment out-comes / S. C. Bratton, D. Ray, T. Rhine, L. Jones // Professional Psychology Research and Practice. – 2005. – No 36(4). – Р. 376–390.

Faa-Thompson T. J. Turn about Pegasus: Training handout / T. J. Faa-Thompson // Pegasus RDA Centre Morpeth. – Faa-Thompson, 2010.

Fine A. H. Handbook on animal-assisted therapy / A. H. Fine // Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. – 2nd ed. – San Diego, London, Academic Press (Elsevier), 2006.

O’Connor C. The silent therapist: A review of the development of equine assisted psychotherapy [Elec-tronic Resource]. – Retrieved June 8, 2009. – Way of access : www.catra.net/info/silent/ht.

Taylor S. M. Equine facilitated psychotherapy: An emerging field / S. M. Taylor. – Unpublished manuscript, 2001.