THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CANINE-ASSISTED THERAPY IN RESTORING THE PSYCHOEMOTIONAL STATE OF INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY WAR

Abstract

This article examines the therapeutic potential of animal-assisted therapy in restoring the psychological and emotional well-being of individuals affected by war. It examines the main scientific approaches to understanding the therapeutic effect of human-animal interaction and summarises the findings of recent scientific studies confirming the effectiveness of canine therapy in reducing anxiety, depressive symptoms and stress, and in improving cognitive functions. The paper describes the specific features of using the animal-assisted therapy method in Ukraine amidst a full-scale war with Russia, particularly to assist vulnerable population groups: IDPs, children, military personnel undergoing rehabilitation, veterans and their families, etc. The empirical part of the study is devoted to examining the therapeutic effect of a single session of canine therapy on the psycho-emotional state of adults and children affected by the war. To assess the condition of adults, the SAN (self-feelings, activity, mood) methodology was used, which revealed positive trends across all indicators. The most pronounced changes were observed in the area of mood, where over 90 % of participants showed improvement. The psycho-emotional state of children was assessed using a mood self-assessment scale and a colour test, interpreted based on M. Lüscher’s approach. The results showed that almost half of the children demonstrated an improvement in mood following the canine therapy session, and a further 26 % maintained the stable positive emotional state they had prior to the session. Analysis of mood colour choices also revealed positive trends. It was noted that canine therapy has significant potential as a means of psycho-emotional stabilisation and support for a positive emotional state in individuals who have experienced the traumatic experience of war, and can be considered an effective component of psychosocial support programmes