Contributions of animal-assisted interventions for the development of children

Abstract

The aim of this article is to provide a review of the evidence on the effects of animal assisted interventions (IAA) on the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, educational and social development of children. The IAA's use of animals as mediators and are developed by a multidisciplinary team that includes educators, psychologists, psychopedagogues, therapists, nurses and veterinarians. These can be divided into Animal Assisted Activity (AAA), Animal Assisted Therapy (TAA), Animal Assisted Education (EAA), Animal Mediated Education (EMA). Pets make people feel good, and a pet can improve health. Pets can relieve loneliness, reduce stress, anxiety and depression, promote social interaction, stimulate exercise and playfulness, and provide unconditional love and affection. Caring for a pet can help children grow safer and more active. In the field of education, pets enhance pedagogical practices and provide diverse spaces and actions that promote students' cognitive and psychosocial development. Therefore, IAAs assist in various ways in the process of integral development of children. Finally, it is possible to note that in addition to the benefits and possibilities of IAAs in the interactions between animals and humans, it is expressed the need to explore more studies in this area, especially regarding contributions with children.