Animal Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth. Effective therapy for this condition is having direct contact with animals such horses, dolphins and dogs. Hippotherapy engages the patient in activities on horseback as part of a specific cerebral palsy treatment. When a horse’s movement is transferred to a patient, it produces a beneficial sensory and motor input. The gait and stride of the horse provides numerous benefits. Studies show it improves muscle tone, posture, balance, coordination and motor development. Organizations offer hippotherapy as proper treatment for cerebral palsy and other disabilities and may be covered by insurance. There may also be a local camp near your area that offers daily or weekly therapy.

Caninetherapy is the direct contact of cerebral palsy patients with dogs. Although it is not a cure, therapy with a dog is a wonderful rehabilitation.
Patients may give the dog commands or encourage the dog with treats, which helps to improve coordination. These dogs are properly trained for specific situations and can improve the daily life of someone with cerebral palsy. There are service animal foundations online that may be able to provide a dog to cerebral palsy patients. Dolphins are also used for therapy, however, horses and dogs are most likely easier to access. Dolphins are highly intelligent animals and they can detect a child’s deficiency. This recognition allows the child to form a bond with the dolphin resulting developmental progress.

Animal therapy using horses, dogs, or dolphins has been used for more than 25 years and continuously show great results in patients with cerebral palsy.