Cerebral Palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination and/or other disabilities, typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth. Effective therapy for this condition is having direct contact with animals such horses, dolphins and dogs. Hippotherapy engages the patient in activities on horseback as part of a specific cerebral palsy treatment. When a horse’s movement is transferred to a patient, it produces a beneficial sensory and motor input. The gait and stride of the horse provides numerous benefits. Studies show it improves muscle tone, posture, balance, coordination and motor development. Organizations offer hippotherapy as proper treatment for cerebral palsy and other disabilities and may be covered by insurance. There may also be a local camp near your area that offers daily or weekly therapy.

Caninetherapy is the direct contact of cerebral palsy patients with dogs. Although it is not a cure, therapy with a dog is a wonderful rehabilitation.
Patients may give the dog commands or encourage the dog with treats, which helps to improve coordination. These dogs are properly trained for specific situations and can improve the daily life of someone with cerebral palsy. There are service animal foundations online that may be able to provide a dog to cerebral palsy patients. Dolphins are also used for therapy, however, horses and dogs are most likely easier to access. Dolphins are highly intelligent animals and they can detect a child’s deficiency. This recognition allows the child to form a bond with the dolphin resulting developmental progress.

Animal therapy using horses, dogs, or dolphins has been used for more than 25 years and continuously show great results in patients with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy is caused by an abnormality or disruption in brain development, usually before a child is born. Factors that may lead to problems with brain development include:

• Maternal infections that can affect the developing fetus. These types of infections include syphilis, hepatitis, HIV and parvovirus.
• Lack of oxygen to the brain related to difficult labor or delivery.
• Traumatic brain injury to an infant from an accident.
• Fetal stroke, a disruption of blood supply to a developing baby’s brain. Fetal stroke can be caused by cardiac disorders, dehydration, and blood disorders.
• Random mutations in genes that control brain development.
• Infant infections that cause inflammation in the brain.

There are certain health issues during pregnancy that could lead to the cause of cerebral palsy. They include:

• Chickenpox, a contagious viral infection. It can be prevented with a vaccine.
• Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by a parasite in contaminated feces of infected cats. This is why pregnant women are told not to clean a cat’s litter box.
• Syphillis, a sexually transmitted disease.
• Measles, a viral infection that can be prevented with a vaccine.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that causes flu-like symptoms. CMV is spread through body fluids like blood, saliva and urine.
• Exposure to toxins can increase the risk of birth defects. Toxins include lead, lithium, mercury, and alcohol.

You can lessen the risk of your child being diagnosed with cerebral palsy by doing the following:

• Make sure you are vaccinated.
• Seek early and continuous prenatal care.
• Practice good child safety.

Children with cerebral palsy may received specialized therapy programs from therapists in a clinic, hospital or school. These programs help determine prognosis or need for treatment and also improve daily life function. Behavioral therapy can greatly improve numerous factors in children including developing friendships, managing emotions, reducing anxiety, treating depression and maintaining focus. The results of therapy also benefit the parents and surrounding family members. The financial cost and exhaustion that results from having a child with a disability, may cause strain on relationships and therapy can help the parents in these situations.

Emotional behaviors, social and behavioral skills are developing in a child’s early life. For someone with cerebral palsy, it is important to begin a therapy regimen as soon as possible so that these skills can be developed as the child grows. Specific therapy may differ from child to child and the main focus may range from expressing emotions to problem identification. Therapy will need to be altered to fit the different stages of the child’s life. As they grow into adulthood, the focus is no longer about socialization or emotional processes but more about independence and self-care. Behavioral therapy can help empower, focus and affect life-changing circumstances.

How do you know if your child needs behavioral therapy? Signs to look for:

• aggression
• anger
• depression
• loss of appetite
• isolation
• moodiness
• low academic performance
• anxiety

Behavioral therapy techniques may be administered by a licensed professional counselor, family therapist, pyschotherapists, and psychiatrists. It is important to feel comfortable and trust your provider. For a child with cerebral palsy, behavioral therapy can allow them to form social relationships, dream about the future, and be happy in everyday life.