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Feasibility of a Dog Training Therapy Program in UC Outpatient Youth Receiving Psychiatric Services
Evaluating the Impact of a Canine-assisted Therapy Program in Youth Enrolled in Outpatient Treatment for Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems.
Who can join
Ages 8 to 17 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Currently receiving outpatient mental health services at the University of Chicago or have received outpatient mental health services from the community in the last 12 months. * Available for scheduling during the entire 6-week intervention program * Interest in participating in the program Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive, psychiatric, or physical condition or limitation that would prevent participation. * Severe animal allergy * Animal phobia * History of mistreatment of animals. * Above-average scores on both measures of behavioral regulation and emotional regulation * WASI t-score of intellectual ability \< 60.
About the study
The goal of this pilot project is to test for initial efficacy of the Recovery \& Care Canine-Assisted Therapy program that has been developed and implemented in Lawrence Hall, a Chicago-based residential treatment center for maltreated youth. In this study, the investigators test the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term efficacy of expanding the program to a group of youth currently in outpatient treatment for social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Results from this project will provide preliminary evidence of whether a structured, goal-oriented intervention program focused on dog training activities has direct impact on increasing youth emotional self-regulation, impulse control, and self-efficacy, which are important targets for intervention among youth with mental health problems. If successful, this project could lead to a larger, randomized control clinical trials study that tests the longitudinal impact of the program that could further lead to national dissemination of the Recovery \& Care curriculum as an alternative therapeutic approach.
What is being tested
- Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy (behavioral)
- Canine Education & Bonding (other)
Sponsor: University of Chicago · Participants: 48 · Started: Feb 26, 2024
Contact the study team
- Kristen Jacobson, PhD · Phone: 773-834-0265
- Jennifer A Ponting · Phone: 773-702-8669
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05788783
Locations in the U.S.
| Illinois | University of Chicago, Chicago |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.