- Programme feasible within usual care and deliverable by trained practitioners with therapy dogs, showing non-linear patterns of observable participation across 12 months.
- Progressive increase in familiarity and observable engagement with dogs, fostering anticipation, recognition and continuity across sessions.
- Variable trajectories noted: reductions in psychomotor agitation for some participants, with outcomes dependent on facilitation and individual support needs.
J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2026 Jul;39(4):e70299. doi: 10.1111/jar.70299.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Evidence on animal-assisted therapy for adults with severe or profound intellectual disabilities in supported residential settings remains limited.
METHOD: A longitudinal qualitative analysis of prospectively generated clinical and programme records was conducted in a long-stay residential unit for women with severe or profound intellectual disabilities. The 12-month programme comprised 40 weekly animal-assisted therapy sessions based on structured interaction with the dogs. The sessions were delivered by practitioners formally trained in animal-assisted interventions, accompanied by two trained therapy dogs. Records were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Five themes were identified: increasing familiarity and observable engagement with the dogs; changes in observable psychomotor agitation; heterogeneous trajectories according to facilitation and support needs; anticipation, recognition and continuity across sessions; and the dogs as a shared focus for interpersonal interaction.
CONCLUSIONS: The programme was feasible to deliver alongside usual care and was associated with non-linear patterns of observable participation and interaction.
PMID:42622512 | DOI:10.1111/jar.70299
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