ERIC Number: EJ1362019
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2059-0776
EISSN: EISSN-2059-0784
The Impact of Therapy Dogs on the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Students: A Systematic Review
Educational and Developmental Psychologist, v39 n2 p180-208 2022
Objective: This systematic review examined the impacts of therapy dogs on the social and emotional wellbeing of K-12 students. Procedure: Five electronic databases (PsycINFO, Informit A+ Education, PubMed, Web of Science and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global) were searched to find English language, grey literature and peer-reviewed articles up to November 2020. Results: A narrative synthesis of 23 articles indicated that therapy dogs may enhance students' mood and positive emotionality, social and communication skills, confidence and their relationship with teachers. Inconsistently, other studies reported that therapy dogs may not enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of students. Conclusion: The current research is characterised by methodological limitations and an over-reliance on the perceptions of students and teachers. To enhance the quality and reliability of the evidence, future researchers are encouraged to adopt more rigorous methodologies with larger sample sizes and control procedures. It is also recommended that the perceptions of school leaders, other educational personnel and interdisciplinary health professionals are incorporated into future studies. This may contribute to a greater level of consensus in the educational sector about the impacts of therapy dogs on the social and emotional wellbeing of K-12 students.
Descriptors: Therapy, Animals, Social Emotional Learning, Well Being, Literature Reviews, Psychological Patterns, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Special Education
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A