@article{ref1,
title="Family dog-assisted adapted physical activity: a case study",
journal="Animals (Basel)",
year="2017",
author="Tepfer, Amanda and Ross, Samantha and Macdonald, Megan and Udell, Monique A. R. and Ruaux, Craig and Baltzer, Wendy",
volume="7",
number="5",
pages="e7050035-e7050035",
abstract="PURPOSE: The aim of this case study was to examine the individual effects of an adapted physical activity, animal-assisted intervention (APA-AAI) with the family dog on motor skills, physical activity, and quality of life of a child with cerebral palsy (CP). <br><br>METHOD: This study used an A-B-A single-subject design. The assessment phase (phase A) occurred pre- and post-intervention. This consisted of standardized assessments of motor skills, quality of life questionnaires, physical activity (measured using the GT3X+ accelerometer) and the human-animal bond. The intervention (phase B) lasted 8 weeks and consisted of adapted physical activities performed with the family dog once a week for 60 min in a lab setting. In addition, the participant had at-home daily activities to complete with the family dog. <br><br>RESULTS: Visual analysis was used to analyze the data. Motor skill performance, physical activity, quality of life and human animal interaction gains were observed in each case. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results provided initial evidence that the family-dog can play a role in healthy lifestyles through APA-AAI in children with CP.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2076-2615",
doi="10.3390/ani7050035",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani7050035"
}