The Study on Developing An Animal-Assisted Education Course for 7-8 Years Old Children and Evaluating Its Effectiveness on Their Living-Abilities

• Main Authors: Mei-Lih Chen, 陳玫利
• Other Authors: Dr. Ming-Lee Yeh Assistant Professor, R.N. Ph.D.
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/01035192299220182104

碩士 === 國立臺北護理健康大學 === 生死教育與輔導研究所 === 102 === The purpose of this research was to develop an animal-assisted education (AAE) program and to explore its influences upon those junior grade students of elementary school, by using the action-research method. Four junior grade (age 7-8) femal students was selected into this 6-week long education program, who participated in pre-designed courses with a certified educational dog for 60-minute every week. The development of this AAE program was followed by the official guidelines from the K-12 Education Adiministration, Ministry of Education, which was expected to enhance students’ adjustable capabilities in physical, mental, social, and environmental facets. The effectiveness of this AAE program was summarized as follow:： Ⅰ. Physical facet: After establishing closer friendship with the dog, participants was more willing to discover external world by using their senses and to share their feelings with others. Ⅱ. Mental facet: after learning dog’s emotions and reactions, participants can recognize their owns, sympathize others, and think more grateful, joyful and healthier. Ⅲ. Social facet: Being cooperating with dog and team members, participants learn how to solve problems with polite and normal manner, which are even expended to their family and school fields. Ⅳ. Environmental facet: With the experiences of hands-in taking care animals closely, participants are alert to the environment impacts both on people and animals, and are willing to adjust their living habits becoming more friendly to their surroundings.