Dogs can help families with autistic children

By Admin
Pet dogs can help to reduce stress in the parents of children who are living with developmental disability autism. Initial research results have found...

 Pet dogs can help to reduce stress in the parents of children who are living with developmental disability autism.

Initial research results have found that having a dog as a pet could help to improve communication and relationships between parent and child.

The results of study, which was conducted by the University of Lincoln, were discussed at a Royal Society of Medicine.

The researchers compared 20 families living with a pet dog to 20 families without a dog and found that dogs can improve an autistic child’s behaviour, particularly where eating, sleeping and tantrums are concerned. 

READ MORE FROM THE WDM CONTENT NETWORK:

To read the latest edition of Healthcare Global, click here

At a Parents’ Autism Workshop and Support course, the families with a dog as pet and an autistic child praised their canines for the help they have given their family.

They said their dogs were helping their children to develop their language skills, establish a routine and also aiding in requesting an action in a non-confrontational way.

The Dogs for the Disabled charity have said that they have had approximately 1,300 inquiries in the last six months from people trying to find out how dogs can help them if they have a family member living with autism.

Peter Gorbing, the Chief Executive of the charity, said in an interview: “Dogs are relatively low-cost and low-tech.”

“Now is our moment. People were previously sceptical of what role they could play, but recently I have found a more receptive audience. Things are changing rapidly.”

Professor Daniel Mills, from the University of Lincoln, said: “While there is no shortage of opinion on how dogs can help, there has been little money given to scientifically look into this.”

Share

Featured Articles

The Merck Group: Pharma's History & Innovation in India

Welcome back to part two of our exploration of The Merck Group's history and investment in China and India, with this part focusing on innovation in India

How CVS Health is Rising to the Omnichannel Challenge

US healthcare company CVS Health is reshaping its supply chain to meet the omnichannel needs of its customers

Kinaxis: Pharma Seeing Euro-wide Supply Chain Challenges

Supply chain specialist Kinaxis says UK pharma still recovering from Brexit and pandemic, and that Europe also seeing medicines value chain problems

Healthcare Digital Transformations Stymied by Data Silos

Digital Healthcare

McKinsey: Brain Health Underfunding 'a Global Concern'

Digital Healthcare

Endometriosis Linked to Heart Attacks & Strokes

Medical Devices & Pharma