Animal Facilitated Counseling in the Elementary School: A Literature Review and Practical Considerations

摘要: Our large elementary school includes many regular classes, a resource program for students with learning disabilities, and six self-contained special education classes serving children from other district schools. At our school, small mixed-breed dog, Sarah Jane, is part of the counseling contributes to positive climate. Children staff members often seek out petting talking her. They also person who accompanies her in halls or on playground. Jane serves as companion attend sessions. She has helped insecure shy feel less self-conscious more comfortable presence. Many have exclaimed, "She likes me!" when approaches them friendly way tail wagging. The reality dog unconditionally accepting produced an observable effect self-esteem at school. Jane's presence sessions make marked therapeutic gains. We personally observed these gains, they been noted well by parents, teachers, some cases themselves.