Dog therapy – selected issues and suggestions

Abstract

Already in primitive hunter-gatherer communities they were aware of the properties of the dog’s influences, positively affecting the health and well-being of man. Over the centuries, few efforts have been made to use these animals for therapeutic purposes. Only in the second half of the twentieth century, classes with dogs gained recognition in the supporting the therapy process of somatic and mental diseases. In recent years, dogs have been used in alternative ways to support child development in Poland and around the world. One of them is dog therapy, also known as kynoterapy, or therapy with a dog participation. Observations of practitioners show that this method brings enormous benefits in the rehabilitation process and improves the functioning of children – supports their development.