You love dogs, don’t you? I suppose we could fill a notepad with lessons we could learn from our dog’s behavior if we paid attention to it.
My dogs have a profound impact on my life, and I can tell when they go because I can still feel their presence. When I’m feeling down, I’ll recall a happy memory or, more frequently, Christopher will pass by with two toys protruding from his mouth (the hunger is to prevent anyone else from stealing them), which instantly lifts my spirits. An unplanned grooming session can help me relax when I’m feeling stressed.
And I’m certain—no, I know—that I’m not alone.
A new investigation of the impact of companion animals on human health was published in the American Journal of Veterinary Behavior. The study concentrated primarily on how pets affect families with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Researchers followed up with the families two and a half years later to assess the durability of the benefits of pet ownership. The research included families who had participated in a prior study that looked at the short-term impact of a pet dog on families of a child with autism.
The study showed that the initial benefits of fewer family conflicts persisted years after getting a dog and that stress levels continued to decline.
According to Professor Mills of the University of Lincoln, who led the research project funded by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, based in the US, “Stress associated with parenting a child with autism continued to decrease over time among dog owners, but not in families without a dog.”
This long-term follow-up study highlights the potential benefits of pet ownership in bringing long-term improvements to the lives of families living with a child with autism.”
We were interested in learning more about the impact a dog can have on the life of an individual with autism.
Frannie Sheinberg, 22, of San Marcos, Texas, was recently given a puppy named Titan she believes has made a significant difference in her life. Frannie was first diagnosed with autism in elementary school.
She stated how her dog is teaching her to express love and said she wants more people to be aware of the relaxing advantages of dog ownership.
Hi Frannie, thanks so much for sharing your story with K9 Magazine. Tell us about Titan.
“Thank you for speaking with us, we’re happy to share our story. Titan is a Mini Australian Shepherd. He’s very caring but at 6 months old, he’s hyper, although loves to take naps. He’s very caring and loves to play. He particularly loves my stuffed pony.
Before you brought Titan home, had you heard that dogs can help owners with autism?
Yes. I’ve known animals to always be calming to me and had heard stories from others on the spectrum but he’s my first dog.
He’s a beautiful boy. He’s a registered assistance dog, isn’t he?
Yes, he is.
It’s clear you have a real bond. Can you tell us about any specific ways in which he’s helped you?
Anytime I’m upset and I see him I instantly get calm and in fact, just being around him calms me. Also, he helps me show love.
I don’t like people getting too close to me but Titan has helped me become more comfortable with people. A couple of weeks ago I was crawling around the floor with him and we both looked at each other and I hugged him. I felt so loved and I’m sure he did too!
Before Titan did anything help to calm you to the same extent that he does?
The only other thing that calms me as Titan does is water. Being in rivers and pools or baths really calms me too, but just while I’m in them, not after I get out.
Thinking of a time before him and knowing what you do now as a result of his companionship, how do you think you would cope without Titan?
It would be harder to control emotions and I would lose my only outlet of affection. Anytime I think about Titan, I get super happy and I would be really sad without him.
Do you think others who have autism can experience similar benefits through owning a dog?
Yes, I’d like other people to be more open to the idea of dogs helping those who are differently abled. Through our story, I hope that others see the importance of how dogs can help calm emotions. Titan has shed such a positive light on my life and I want others to be able to experience that. There is a special kind of joy that only a dog can bring a person!
