Animal-Assisted Interventions in the Psychic Expression of Intellectually Disabled Adults (IAA and Intellectually Disabled)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This research problematizes the interaction between adult subjects with Intellectual Disability and dogs, from the perspective of Animal-Assisted Interventions (IAA). OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of IAA on verbal and nonverbal expression of psychic contents in adults with intellectual disabilities. METHOD: Qualitative research. Four female subjects, aged between 39 and 63 years, with intellectual disability participated. Dog co-therapists: Amin, Golden Retriever, 7 years old, selected according to criteria of international protocols, conducted by the researcher. There were 07 IAA sessions, in a group, lasting 35 minutes each, during the course of 03 months. The HTP and Wartegg tests were performed before and after IAA sessions, the results of which were analyzed comparatively. RESULTS: In the studied population, all subjects showed personality expansion and reduction of anxiety after IAA, in addition to increased verbalization and the dog as a strong motivating instrument.. CONCLUSION: The results of this research indicate the occurrence of psychic, verbal and nonverbal expression changes in different degrees in subjects with DI studied.