Attitudes of physiotherapy students towards kynotherapy

Abstract

Abstract One of the forms of therapy that is designed to enhance effects of physiotherapy is kynotherapy. This study focused on physiotherapy students’ opinions on kynotherapy, asking them whether therapy involving a dog may have positive consequences for a patient. The study was conducted in a group of sixty third-year physiotherapy students studying at L. Rydygier’s Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and third-year students from the College of Health Sciences in Bydgoszcz. Responses to 20 claims concerning the use of kynotherapy in physiotherapy were obtained, using a written anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire included equal number of positive and negative statements about opinions and knowledge concerning dog-therapy. Most of the respondents perceive kynotherapy as an effective method supporting rehabilitation. According to physiotherapists this method increases the effects of rehabilitation and may help in breaking the boredom of longterm therapy. In respondents’ opinion work with a kynotherapist and his dog improves patients’ mobility and enhances the effect of rehabilitation. Besides, activities of this kind are more interesting than the standard treatment. However, kynotherapy cannot be the only method of rehabilitation. 1. Physiotherapy students’ perception of kynotherapy is good. 2. Kynotherapy can be more widely used as one of the valid methods in rehabilitation therapy.