Animal Assisted Therapy

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) started before the 1960 's. Equine-assisted therapy is most known for the chance to help physically disabled people recover movement in their limbs. Another big role equine-assisted therapy contributes to therapy is throughout helping kids with autism or any other psychological condition. Specifically, people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) benefit the most from it. Throughout equine-assisted therapy, autistic children can begin to trust, communicate, connect, and bond with

For a number of children with autism having a companion dog is the difference between life and death. Methodically trained guide dogs help create an environment where autistic children are comfortable enough to live a more ordinary lifestyle. Autism spectrum disorder is a major public health problem that is the most common neurological disorder affecting 1 out of every 110 births in the US (Autism Society, 2009). ASDs can range in severity from Asperger Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism where the child can function relatively well in society, to autistic disorder or classical ASD, which severely inhibits the child’s ability to socialize or communicate (NINDS). Autism manifests itself most strikingly as impairments in formation of

Though there was not a specific hypothesis, it can be concluded that a general hypothesis for the study was if children that have ASD have a service dog, will they have behavior benefits, which is considered to be true. This journal withholding an impact factor of 4.704 is deemed as very informational. Because this study didn’t hurt or deceive anyone, it is deemed as ethical. The data collected within this study can be beneficial to those who have children with ASD; they can simply learn how to make their child’s life easier and less complicated by providing them with a service

The most recent data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (CDC, 2014). Children diagnosed with ASD often have difficulty with functional performance in several key areas including; social participation, communication, school based activities, motor performance and play. These impairments in functional performance are not exclusive to the child alone as the caregiver often assumes a great deal of burden in managing the symptoms of a child with ASD. Furthermore, these difficulties along with the rising diagnosis rate has pushed ASD to the forefront of clinical research and has raised issues regarding which Ayres

Many studies have shown that AAT is able to help a wide variety of people. Many different diseases and disabilities have been proven to benefit from AAT. For example, in Table 1 in the equine-assisted therapy article, the author explains that each type of horse therapy benefits certain people. In dressage, a type of riding where the horse and rider work together to make precision movements, helps people with Polio, Parkinson’s Disease, and traumatic head injury (Ratliffe and Sanekane 35). Yet, AAT is used for many other types of situations as well. AAT is a common treatment used for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), medical conditions, compromised medical functions, emotional difficulties, as well as behavioral and physical problems (Nimer and Lundahl 226).

Animal-based therapy provides many benefits for individuals with a disability. When assisting individuals with disabilities it is important to consider all options that will help them achieve the most success in life. Deciding which therapies to use is often difficult and should be decided on by the individual, their doctors, therapist, and family. Any drawbacks will need to be weighed against the advantages to ensure the course of treatment will be effective and appropriate for the individual. Revisions may need to be considered for the patient along the treatment path. Of the many types of therapies available, it is important to look at the benefits of animal assisted therapy. Individuals with disabilities who are routinely engaged in companion animal therapy develop a greater range of social skills than those who are not involved in any form of therapeutic animal-based therapy.

Equine-assisted therapy. The use of equine-assisted therapy has been proposed as a method for facilitating positive sensory experiences for children with autism. A doctoral dissertation by Stickney (2010) finds that “the consistent, rhythmic movement of the horse as well as its warmth, appearance, smell, and furry coat sends an array of sensory signals to the central nervous system, affecting motor, visual, proprioceptive, tactile, and vestibular systems that are necessary for development of motor control” (p. 33). Preliminary research studies indicate that the experience of riding a horse can improve motor function, posture, balance, and reaction time. This can encourage positive sensory experiences, which causes the brain to release chemicals

Equine-assisted interventions. A study by Jenkins and Reed (2013) examined the ways that participating in equine-assisted interventions impacted children with autism’s social behavior in multiple contexts. They observed children (N=7) who were participating in a therapeutic horseback riding program both at the center and at home to find if this intervention altered the children’s social behaviors. The results did not indicate that these interventions produced significant changes in children’s affect, off-task behavior, problem behavior, compliance, or language in program or home observations. However, numerous parents verbally reported that there were changes in their child’s language abilities at home and school. This indicates that parental

I researched autism assistance dogs (AAD), specifically their training, eligible criteria and positive effects on the child. I read websites and books along with watching videos to get secondary information. I contacted an expert in the field - Danielle Mathews, service coordinator of AAD at Guide Dogs SA/NT, to obtain further information to support my findings.

Autism - Children with ASD can suffer from a difficulty focusing, communicating well with others, and responding to sensory stimuli. Results from studies done on children with ASD have shown that after exposure to AAT there were positive effects on social interaction. According to the study, when a dog was introduced to children with ASD they displayed a reduction of stress, anxiety, and irritability around others, because the animals promoted a more relaxed environment for the children (Siewertsen).

More research is needed to find if animal-assisted interventions offer substantial and reliable improvements in symptoms in children with ASD. If family has extra resources and finds that these interventions might be beneficial for their child’s symptoms, this has not yet been found to be harmful. However, it might be advisable that social skills interventions are integrated into a child’s therapy before the use of an animal to aid in these interactions is selected. It seems that animal-assisted interventions are promising for improving safety and targeting atypical sensory responsiveness. If a child with autism’s safety cannot be managed in other ways and the family is experiencing substantial burden, a service dog might be a beneficial

Another concern for the use of animals in occupational therapy is how the therapist will obtain therapy animals (Cipriani et al., 2013, p. 215). If no suitable animals are immediately available from other sources, the cost of the therapist obtaining, training, and certifying their own therapy animal is not insignificant. However, if an animal is available from another source, whether it be a volunteer or an organization, proper investigation must be done to determine the reliability and legitimacy of the provider and of the therapy animal. Winkle suggests that appropriate therapy animals can be obtained from organizations that train professional assistance animals. Although therapy animals require different skills than assistance animals are trained for, much of the intermediate training and skills are the same (Winkle, 2012, p. 11).

However, there is no empirical research proving the efficacy of DAT. In the first literature review examined, O’Haire (2012) examined several different empirical studies in order to attempt to close the gap of lack of evidence in Animal assisted intervention (AAI) with children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She hoped to do three things: “(a) describe the characteristics of AAI for ASD, (b) evaluate the state of the evidence base, and (c) summarize the reported outcomes of AAI for ASD” (O’Haire, 2012). She narrowed it down to a total of 14 studies that fit the criteria she was looking for. Of these 14, the participants were seen an average of 40 minutes per session, for 13 session for 12 weeks. The outcomes of her review concluded that although AAI has seen to improve ASD; most improvement in social interaction, there is a methodological weakness about these studies. There is no actual proof to these claims; further research will be needed. Similarly, Fiksdal and colleagues (2012) looked at a series of studies done on dolphin-assisted therapy (DAT). They explained that because of the desperation of the parents and because of lack of other effective studies DAT is a popular therapy route. DAT is most often advertised through social media; television, newspaper, movies and more. While there are personal statements of improvement in

Riding teaches motor skills and social skills. The children must learn patience and forgiveness with the horses. They learn how to deal with discouraging situations and are rewarded by the horse. Many children with Autism lack the skills to interact socially and are therefore ignored by other children. They do not have a chance to develop social skills anand don’t know how to act around others. The children in therapy riding must learn how to ask the horse to do and action without demanding an action. When the horse does not do what a child wants they must stop and figure out what hor or she is doing wrong. they fix the problem and get a slip of new found confidence. Children learn balance and certain activities with the horses develop mind skills needed for solving problems. The textures of a horse's fur and mane stimulate brain function and kickstart curiosity in the children. As a result most children that undergo therapy riding continue riding even after they have completed their

As of 2012, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in 50 children between the ages of six and seventeen has autism spectrum disorder, with males being four times more likely than females to have these conditions (Slaughter 1). Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brains normal development of social and communication skills. Service dogs are normally used to aid the blind, deaf or hard of hearing, and other types of disabilities. Service dogs have recently been used to help children with autism. The service dog industry has had a growing impact on the autism community, the benefits and disadvantages affect each child differently.