The goal of this pilot project is to test for initial efficacy of the Recovery \& Care Canine-Assisted Therapy program that has been developed and implemented in youth institutionalized for behavioral and emotional problems. We are using two study sites, Lawrence Hall and Lydia Home, both Chicago-based residential treatment centers for youth with behavioral and emotional problems, many of whom have experienced child maltreatment and trauma. Comparisons will be made to a matched sample of youth from Lawrence Hall and Lydia Home receiving treatment as usual. Results from this project will provide preliminary evidence of whether a structured, goal-oriented intervention program focused on dog training activities has direct impact on increasing youth emotional self-regulation, impulse control, and self-efficacy, which are important targets for intervention among youth with mental health problems. If successful, this project could lead to a larger, randomized control clinical trials study that tests the longitudinal impact of the program that could further lead to national dissemination of the Recovery \& Care curriculum as an alternative therapeutic approach.
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Emotional Stroop
Timeframe: Up to 1-month post-intervention
Change in Emotional Stroop
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 1-month post-intervention
Flanker Task
Timeframe: Up to 1-month post-intervention
Change in Flanker Task
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 1-month post-intervention
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
Timeframe: Up to 1-month post-intervention
Change in Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
Timeframe: Change from baseline to up to 1-month post-intervention
Change in Negative Affect
Timeframe: Change from the beginning to the end of each of the 6 intervention session