The effect of pet-assisted therapy on the social skills of institutionalized adolescent psychiatric patients is evaluated via qualitative and quantitative methods. Weekly sessions with the therapy dog were observed and personal interviews with four patients conducted to gather data. Data was analyzed and encoded to determine general themes of social interaction related to the pet-assisted therapy, including improved self-esteem, development of social roles, and trust in physical contact with others.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Hokanson, Erin Marie

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 00D091M

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2000

Date created

• 2000-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright