Hunden som resurs : En studie om hunden som ett pedagogiskt hjälpmedel

Sammanfattning: This study shows how two different schools use dogs as a method of education. The purpose was to find out what kind of pedagogical thoughts my informants have about children' slearning in their connection with dogs, and in which way the interaction between the children and the dogs could affect the learning ability. I also wanted to find out what kind of possibilities and restrictions the dogs could give to the education according to my informants but also to find out how the projects were financed. To be able to answer these questions I put together a qualitative study, I had four interviews with people that were involved in the projects in one way or the other. To analyse the empirical material I looked up different theories about teaching, communication, interaction and motivation. My results showed that both schools have applied the method of “teaching dogs” as a form of resource for students with special needs. One of the two schools only applies the method on one class consisting of six students and their teachers, who are remedial teachers. The other school cooperates with a company that educates therapy dogs. The dog handlers, who don't have a remedial teacher's education, come every week with one or two dogs. All students in the school who are in need of extra support can work with the dogs after an investigation made by the health department at the school. All my informants believe that the project has given positive results such as the notification that students are more motivated, communicate and interact better with each other and the teachers. The students are also happier and have a higher regularity of attendance in school than before. But the project requires a lot of money and also needs to be thought through thoroughly because of allergies and the risks of dogs causing any kind of physical damage. Another risk is that the dog causes the student to lose focus in their studies instead of helping them concentrate. But if the teacher is aware of these downsides it seems that the problemscan be solved.