The Effect of Mobility Assistance Dogs on Quality of Life in Children with Physical and Neurological Impairments.

Aims: To measure the quality of life in children with impaired walking who receive a mobility assistance dog (MAD).

Methods: The parents of ten children who received a MAD completed the cerebral palsy quality of life questionnaire, before receiving their dog and at one, three, and six-month follow-up. Data were analyzed to assess changes for each participant and to the group.

Results: The group showed a positive change in the domains of social well-being and acceptance, feelings about functioning, and emotional well-being and self-esteem after six months. Children with less impairment (GMFCS I-II) showed a change in social-wellbeing and acceptance, feelings about functioning, participation, physical health, and emotional-wellbeing and self-esteem after six months. Children with more impairment (GMFCS III-IV) showed no change at any timepoint measured.

Conclusions: This novel therapeutic area of receiving a MAD demonstrated some positive quality of life changes after six months for a small group of children with impaired walking. These are preliminary findings in a small sample and this intervention would benefit from further study.