發展遲緩兒童以寵物狗輔助服務計畫之行動研究

Action Research of Pet Dog Support Service Program for Children with Developmental Delays.

本研究欲探究寵物狗輔助服務計畫的可行性故採取行動研究方法邀請四組家中豢養寵物狗的發展遲緩兒童之家庭以發展遲緩兒童家庭為場域觀察兒童的發展能力、寵物狗的特質、家長的親職能力並使用親職能力評估表、嬰幼兒全面發展量表進行前後測透過每隔兩週的訪視不斷的討論、行動、修正、反思訂定寵物療育活動內容進行為期十二週的行動研究計畫建構出寵物狗輔助服務方案。
研究結果發現寵物狗輔助服務方案有助於兒童療育成效、是親子關係的催化劑、能提升家長的參與感、自信心、增加家長對兒童發展的覺察、並能提升社工員指導與輔助的角色和功能、社工員更具主動性且落實以家庭為中心的個別化家庭服務計畫。
最後，基於研究結果，研究者對早療家庭、早期療育社工員、跨領域專業人員及政策四個面向提出實務上的建議。

This study aims to explore the feasibility of dog assistance service schemes, therefore we use action research. Four groups of families with developmentally delayed children each with pet dogs were invited to observe children’s developmental ability, the characteristics of pet dogs, and parents’ parenting ability in the field of families with developmental delays. Meanwhile both the Parenting Competence Assessment Form and the Development Scale for Infants and Preschoolers will be adopted for pre- and post-evaluations. Through bi-weekly visits, continuous discussions, actions, revision and reflection, the content of pet therapy activities was determined, and a 12- week action research plan was conducted to construct a pet dog assistance service plan.
The results of the study found that the pet dog assistance service program well contributes to the effectiveness of children’s education and is a activator for parent- child relationships. In addition, the program can also enhance parents’ sense of participation and self-confidence, as well increase parents’ awareness of children’s development, and is able to improve social workers’ guidance and assistance. Roles and functions, social workers are more proactive to implement family-centered individualized family service plans.
Therefore, based on the research results, the researchers would like to put forward the practical suggestions for four aspects: early treatment families, early treatment social workers, cross-field professionals, and policies.