Animal-Assisted Therapy Bolsters Children's Self-Esteem

Noah's Ark Program, Pittsburgh, TX  Public Schools.  Nominated by Life Skills Teacher, Martha Vincent

Noah's Ark Program uses animal-assisted therapy in the classroom.  This unique approach has promoted social, physical, emotional, and cognitive improvement in a varied population including students who have Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and hearing and visual impairments.

The program incorporates horses, visiting dogs, classroom cats, birds, and fish.  Our kids need to be loved, respected, useful, needed, accepted, and trusted.  As any pet owner knows, caring and interacting with animals is an ideal way to do this.  Being involved with animals helps the children build their strengths.

The children are involved in activities such as throwing objects for the dog to retrieve, maneuvering the dog using a leash, brushing him, and petting and stroking the dog.  These activities improve balance, mobility, coordination, self-control, and speech and communication development.

Each child is assigned a specific task and an animal that will help them progress.  The author writes, "I have observed many positive outcomes for my students."

A student with cerebral palsy and other disabilities improved her range of motion and eye tracking with the help of the classroom cat.  She reaches for the cat and eye tracks him wherever he goes.  Other positive outcomes resulting from animal assisted therapy include increased self-confidence and independence; cooperation and social interaction; and improvement in muscle strength and endurance.