Promoting youth social-emotional development through animal-assisted interventions: A qualitative analysis of special education students’ perspectives

Abstract

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are increasingly used in clinical and school settings to promote psychological and social-emotional well-being among youth. However, the precise role of youth-animal relationships in shaping developmental trajectories is understudied. Research is needed to expand human-centric models of child development, specifically to examine how youth relationships with animals may be ecological assets and identify potential processes of change underlying these relationships. This study analyzed interviews from 30 students attending a school for special education and mental health services that incorporates AAI. Results indicated that youth perceived their relationships with animals as contributing to enhanced social connection, which was perceived as leading to self-esteem and confidence, enjoyment, and self-regulation. Youth reported positive sensory experiences with animals as supporting self-regulation. These findings suggest that AAI may need to be structured to prioritize youths’ ability to form positive social connections with animals and incorporate positive sensory experiences while limiting negative ones.

Acknowledgments

The University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work received a grant for research at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection from an anonymous donor (Grant ID: 48944). This work was supported by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) under Grant HAB20-015. We thank all participating Green Chimneys staff and especially the students, whose expertise is the basis of this study’s findings.

Ethical approval

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare. Participant recruitment and data collection were conducted under University of Denver IRB oversight (1198678-7). Ethical incorporation of animals into therapy settings requires consideration of, and advocacy for, the individual animal’s needs and welfare. Animal wellbeing is at the core of the Green Chimneys mission and great lengths are taken so each animal on campus receives optimal nutrition, housing, social grouping, and veterinary care. Green Chimneys’ animals are not objects to be used, but individuals to interact with in a respectful manner. Animals are consistently assessed for physical and behavioral health and individualized care plans are in place. Interactions are carefully supervised to ensure safety of both people and animals. Green Chimneys follows all state and national laws pertaining to animal well-being. As a Class C license holder from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is issued to exhibitors of animals for public or educational use (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) & Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 2012), it is subject to regular unannounced site inspections by outside authorities and is committed to exceeding basic standards as a “best practice” model program.

Data availability statement

Data is not available due to the protected status of study participants as minors and members of a special population.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) under Grant HAB20-015 and funding from an anonymous donor to the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work for the Institute for Human-Animal Connection’s research and fellowships under DU Grant 10000 219916.