Supportive therapy with dog´s assistance as a part of the coherent physiotherapy for the physically disabled person

ABSTRACT The use of animals as man{\crq}s helpers or companions is as old as domestication itself. Contact with an animal, if accepted positively by the person, relaxes, slows down heartbeat and lowers blood pressure, releases tension, intermediates communication, compensates for missing abilities of people. Canistherapy as a supporting rehabilitation method contributes to the relaxation of muscle spasms, development of fine and gross motor skills, stimulates verbal and non-verbal communication, orientation in space, enhances motivation to participate in one{\crq}s own healing process, and improves the client{\crq}s interaction with other clients and nurses. The theoretical part of the Bachelor thesis is dedicated to the definition of canistherapy within comprehensive rehabilitation of people with a motor apparatus disability. Particular attention is paid to the issue of individuals affected by cerebral palsy and achondroplasia. The goal of the Bachelor thesis is to determine the influence of a dog-assisted therapy on people with a motor apparatus disability. A partial goal is to define the standing and position of a dog-assisted therapy within integral comprehensive rehabilitation of the client. The research is mainly focused on the use of the Animal Assisted Therapy method. Qualitative techniques of data collection were used within the research part of the Bachelor thesis. The following data collection techniques were used: anamnesis, observation (kinesiology examination), secondary data analysis and photo documentation. Results of the action of AAT method canistherapy prove in different areas a positive influence on both monitored clients permanently living in a diagnostic social care institution. The research was carried out in a client suffering from a quadriplegia form of cerebral palsy and in a client with achondroplasia. Casuistries of both mentioned clients describe the way of dog assisted therapy conduct, progress and results