On the Behaviour-Altering Effect of Horses and Dogs in theTherapy of Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorders

Abstract

The effects of horses and dogs on disorder-specific behavior were examined in amovement-oriented behavioral training for children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. This was done using two behavioral experiments, a two-group experimental plan and a three-group experimental plan, in a within-subject design. In small group settings (3-4 subjects), a total sample of N = 13 was examined in two experiments. In Experiment I, an equineassisted therapy session was compared to a therapy session using an additional person as a control condition (the horse is replaced by a sports student).This experiment was carried out three times in a small group setting with a total of nine subjects (n = 9). In Experiment II, an equineassisted therapy session was compared to a dog-assisted therapy session, using an additional person as a control condition (sports student). Experiment II (n = 4) was carried out once with a small group. In both experiments, symptom-oriented behavior was assessed by Conner's scales and by physical activity measured using accelerometry. As a control variable, the attitudes towards horses, dogs, and sports teachers were recorded by drawings and verbal statements.The results show that in both experiments, the equine-assisted therapy session reduced symptom behavior.The results of accelerometry indicate a superiority of equine-assisted interventions, as physical activity in the equine-assisted setting was lower than in the settings assisted by dog or human, which is considered a desired behavior change in hyperactivity.