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• Improving the Movement of SEN Children with the Help of a Therapy Dog

  47-54

  Loredana Muntean

  Éva Zita Balogh

  Views:

  114

  The therapeutic relationship with animals is crucial for psychological, somatic and social health, as it enriches the well-being of the functional whole (Bánszky et al., 2012). Regular contact with animals strengthens people's experience of responsibility, attachment, unconditional acceptance and love, and also creates a sense of security, as the very existence of an animal reduces anxiety symptoms, loneliness and social isolation. In addition spending time with animals helps to optimise different movements. This paper presents of an ongoing research project. The main aim of our research is to highlight the importance of canine-assisted therapy in refining the movement of children with special educational needs by having them participate in canine-assisted therapy sessions on a weekly basis, during which, in addition to anamnesis and observations, we measure the children's development using a scale (Portage scale) that is accepted in special education. It is hypothesised that the animal-assisted therapy will have a significant positive impact on the large and fine motor skills of children with special educational needs. Our chosen research methods are case study and observation. Data processing requires both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

• APPLICATION OF ANIMAL ASSISTANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DEBRECEN FACULTY OF EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

  119-126

  Antal Lovas Kiss

  Views:

  76

  Animal assistance used among university students is not unknown, numerous foreign examples prove its valid existence. The application aimed at university students appeared in the United States of America, but nowadays it is used in many countries around the world. The emergence of assistance dogs in higher education is related to the scientific interest aimed at discovering and measuring the causes of the positive effects experienced during the use of assistance animals. Simultaneously with the introduction of animal assistance training at the University of Debrecen Faculty of Education for Children and Special Educational Needs, the university student sensitization program began in 2021, within the framework of which students can meet the assistance dog serving on the university campus on a daily basis. The first university student sensitizer dog of the country has a multifaceted task, it not only performs tasks in the field of animal-assisted activity but also fulfills a socialization role with its presence, helping many to rethink their ideas about keeping animals. The study presents this socialization program.