Effects of the presence of a dog on the psychic content expression of a stuttering person: case report.

Stuttering has negative impacts on an individual's quality of life and is associated with higher risk of development of social and psychological problems. From this perspective, despite the diversity of etiological hypotheses for and treatments of stuttering, the interface between psychology and speech therapy in the approach to the biopsychic aspects involved in this clinical scenario stands out. Recent research indicates that the presence, specifically of dogs, can assist patients in symbolic elaboration of psychic content.

Clinical Trial for Stuttering Treatment: pilot study about dog participation in the therapy session.

Purpose: To verify the effect of dog intervention on the regular session of speech therapy for developmental stuttering in adults.

Methods: The study involved young adults and adults with developmental stuttering. The study sample was composed of eight participants, six males and two females, ranging in age from 16 to 45 years.