The University Hospital of Santa María de Lleida has led a multicenter study carried out with the Hospital of Mataró and the Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús in Madrid that supports the benefits of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for adolescents with mental health problems.
The study aims to evaluate the bond established between human and animal after several AAT sessions in young people between 13 and 17 years old admitted to Acute Units of Child and Youth Psychiatry.
The most common diagnoses are depressive disorder and eating disorders.
One of the main conclusions of the study is that just a few sessions (generally two) are enough to establish a positive bond between the intervention dog and the patients. One of the aspects most valued by adolescents is unconditional acceptance. They assure that with the animal they feel accepted, it helps them forget their problems and gives them security and confidence. In addition, the dog is able to perceive when they feel bad and consider that they make the animal feel happy.
The results obtained corroborate that the presence of the intervention dog favors a climate of security and trust that helps establish and consolidate the therapeutic relationship, demonstrating the usefulness of non-pharmacological interventions as a complement to pharmacological treatments in adolescents with mental disorders.
The study has been led from Lleida by the main researchers Josep Pifarré and Maylos Rodrigo. "We appreciate these types of collaborative experiences in intervention, which facilitate demedicalization and improve the well-being of the adolescents we serve," said Jordi Blanch, director of Mental Health and Addictions services at the Santa Maria University Hospital.
The study involved the participation of 114 adolescents and six intervention dogs from the Ilerkan, Itcan and Animal Nature associations. It has also had the collaboration of the Animal Assisted Interventions Office of the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid and the Primary Care Research Institute (IDIAP Jordi Gol) for methodological advice and analysis of results.
