ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPIES AS MEDIATORS OF INCLUSION AND WELL-BEING FOR SOCIALLY VULNERABLE GROUPS

Abstract

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a complementary strategy with the potential to
promote the physical, emotional, and social well-being of institutionalized older adults.
This study aimed to promote interaction between dogs and older adults, fostering
socialization, communication, affection, and quality of life, while also providing
Veterinary Medicine students with a humanized educational experience. This is an
intervention-based extension project with a qualitative approach and an
interdisciplinary nature, developed at the Rosália Paulino Nursing Home for Older
Adults, in Sumé, Paraíba, Brazil. Thirty-four older adults, aged between 70 and 99
years, participated directly, while the institution's caregivers participated indirectly.
Seventeen weekly visits were conducted between April and August 2026, involving
Revista Diálogos Interdisciplinares – Educação, Saúde e Direito
ISSN: 2965-8071
interaction activities, petting, brushing, walks, games, and simple commands with dogs
previously assessed for clinical, sanitary, and behavioral conditions. Data were
obtained through systematic observation, conversation circles, photographic records,
field diaries, and a semi-structured questionnaire, and were subsequently organized
and descriptively analyzed by the researchers. The older adults showed good
receptiveness to the dogs, with expressions of affection, smiles, increased interaction
and communication, memory recall, and interest in continuing the activities. It is
concluded that AAT demonstrated potential as a complementary tool for promoting the
well-being and socialization of institutionalized older adults, in addition to contributing
to the academic and humanized training of Veterinary Medicine students