FELINOTERAPIJOS VYSTYMOSI PRIELAIDOS LIETUVOJE: TĖVŲ GRĮŽTAMOJO RYŠIO DĖL FELINOTERAPIJOS TAIKYMO VAIKAMS ANALIZĖ.

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Title:	FELINOTERAPIJOS VYSTYMOSI PRIELAIDOS LIETUVOJE: TĖVŲ GRĮŽTAMOJO RYŠIO DĖL FELINOTERAPIJOS TAIKYMO VAIKAMS ANALIZĖ.
Alternate Title:	ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FELINOTHERAPY IN LITHUANIA: AN ANALYSIS OF PARENTS’ FEEDBACK ON THE USE OF FELINOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN.
Authors:	Brazdeikienė, Liana¹ brazdeikieneliana@gmail.com, Zukhbaya, Natalia² natalia.zukhbaya@gmail.com, Petraitienė, Ulijana³ ulijana@gmail.com
Source:	Bridges / Tiltai. Jun2026, Vol. 96 Issue 1, p125-141. 17p.
Abstract (English):	Animal-assisted therapy involves the use of various animals; however, dogs are the most commonly used, while cat-assisted therapy (felinotherapy) remains a relatively new and under-explored field. Felinotherapy is considered a complementary method that supports conventional treatment approaches, and may have a positive impact on children’s mental health by enhancing emotional wellbeing, social skills and the child-animal bond, particularly in work with autistic children. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of this therapy. The aim of this article is to present the first results of pilot felinotherapy sessions conducted in Lithuania. The study involved 12 children of different ages with various emotional and behavioural difficulties. Data were collected through the analysis of parental feedback after the therapy, using a questionnaire consisting of open-ended and closed questions about the child’s condition before, during and after the therapy, as well as observed changes and overall evaluation of the therapy. In summary, based on parental feedback following cat-assisted therapy, this intervention has a positive impact on children experiencing various behavioural and emotional difficulties. Parents noted that after the therapy, their children experienced reduced anxiety, anger and tension, and began to interact more. According to the parents’ responses, this therapy fosters self-control skills and reduces social isolation. Catassisted therapy stands out as a gentle, child-friendly approach that helps children relax and engage more easily in the therapeutic process. However, due to the limited sample size, these results cannot be broadly generalised. Felinotherapy is a promising but under-researched area of animal-assisted therapy. Further systematic and comprehensive scientific research is necessary to substantiate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Lithuanian):	Gyvūnų asistuojamojoje terapijoje naudojami įvairūs gyvūnai, dažniausiai šunys, tuo tarpu kačių asistuojamoji terapija (felinoterapija) yra gana nauja ir mažai tyrinėta terapijos rūšis. Felinoterapija laikoma pagalbiniu būdu, papildančiu tradicinius gydymo būdus, ji gali daryti teigiamą poveikį vaikų psichinei sveikatai: užtikrinti emocinę gerovę, ugdyti socialinius įgūdžius, puoselėti vaiko ir gyvūno tarpusavio ryšį, ypač dirbant su autistiškais vaikais. Vis dėlto mokslinių tyrimų, pagrindžiančių šios terapijos efektyvumą, vis dar trūksta. Šiuo straipsniu siekiama pristatyti pirmųjų bandomųjų felinoterapijos procedūrų Lietuvoje rezultatus. Tyrime dalyvavo 12 įvairaus amžiaus vaikų, turinčių skirtingų emocinių ir elgesio sunkumų. Duomenys rinkti analizuojant tėvų grįžtamąjį ryšį po terapijos, naudojant anketą su atviraisiais ir uždaraisiais klausimais apie vaikų būklę prieš terapiją, jai vykstant ir po jos, be to, apie pastebėtus pokyčius ir terapijos vertinimą. Apibendrinant galima teigti, kad, remiantis tėvų grįžtamuoju ryšiu po kačių asistuojamosios terapijos, ši intervencija daro teigiamą poveikį vaikams, patiriantiems įvairių elgesio ir emocinių sunkumų. Tėvai pažymėjo, kad po terapijos sumažėjo vaikų nerimas, pyktis ir įtampa, jie pradėjo daugiau bendrauti. Ši terapija, jų teigimu, ugdo savikontrolės įgūdžius ir mažina socialinę izoliaciją. Kačių asistuojamoji terapija yra švelni, patraukli terapija, padedanti vaikui atsipalaiduoti ir lengviau įsitraukti į terapinį procesą. Dėl ribotos imties šie tyrimo rezultatai negali būti plačiai apibendrinami. Felinoterapija yra perspektyvi, tačiau nepakankamai ištirta gyvūnų asistuojamosios terapijos kryptis. Siekiant pagrįsti jos efektyvumą, būtini tolesni sistemingi ir išsamūs moksliniai tyrimai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	Animal-assisted therapy involves the use of various animals; however, dogs are the most commonly used, while cat-assisted therapy (felinotherapy) remains a relatively new and under-explored field. Felinotherapy is considered a complementary method that supports conventional treatment approaches, and may have a positive impact on children’s mental health by enhancing emotional wellbeing, social skills and the child-animal bond, particularly in work with autistic children. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of this therapy. The aim of this article is to present the first results of pilot felinotherapy sessions conducted in Lithuania. The study involved 12 children of different ages with various emotional and behavioural difficulties. Data were collected through the analysis of parental feedback after the therapy, using a questionnaire consisting of open-ended and closed questions about the child’s condition before, during and after the therapy, as well as observed changes and overall evaluation of the therapy. In summary, based on parental feedback following cat-assisted therapy, this intervention has a positive impact on children experiencing various behavioural and emotional difficulties. Parents noted that after the therapy, their children experienced reduced anxiety, anger and tension, and began to interact more. According to the parents’ responses, this therapy fosters self-control skills and reduces social isolation. Catassisted therapy stands out as a gentle, child-friendly approach that helps children relax and engage more easily in the therapeutic process. However, due to the limited sample size, these results cannot be broadly generalised. Felinotherapy is a promising but under-researched area of animal-assisted therapy. Further systematic and comprehensive scientific research is necessary to substantiate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	13923137
DOI:	10.15181/tbb.v96i1.2805