Parents' acceptance and their children's choice of pet for animal-assisted therapy (A.A.T.) in 3- to 12-year-old children in the dental operatory -A questionnaire-based pilot study.

AIM

To evaluate the parents' acceptance to therapy pets, child's most favoured pet, child's choice of soft toy as compared to live pet, and child's preference of his own pet versus therapy pet.

METHODS

Sixty-two children of age groups 3-6 year, 6-9 year, and 9-12 year were selected. The data from completed questionnaires were statistically analysed and subjected to z test, Chi-squared test with P value<0.05 considered as significant.

RESULTS

The consent to the presence of pet was given by 41.47% parents of 9- to 12-year-old children, 34.15% parents of 6- to 9-year-old children and 24.39% parents of 3- to 6-year-old children. Children who chose dog as their preferred pet were 56.7%; those who chose cat as their preferred pet were 44%. A majority of 3-to 6-year-olds (63.15%) had dog & cat as their choice, while 6- to 9-year-olds (65.21%) & 9- to 12-year-olds (40%) preferred dogs over all others. Dog was the favourite pet of 46.8% children. More percentage of children wanted pet provided by clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) can prove to be a good behaviour management technique if more parents are made aware and informed about AAT; dog is one of the highly recommended pets for AAT, and therapy pet should be preferred over home pet.