Having a furry friend can add fun and company for anyone, but for children with autism, you can change your life.
A recent study of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Arizona evaluated the impact of service dogs on autistic children and their caregivers in 75 families.
Working with the non -profit dog supplier Canine Companions, the researchers discovered that having a service dog was associated with “sleep behaviors for significantly better children”, which include less sleep anxiety and better initiation and sleep duration.
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, the principal researcher, Dr. Maggie O’Haire, associate dean of research at the university, said that the research was caused by the growing number of programs that combine service dogs with autistic children.
A recent study of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Arizona evaluated the impact of service dogs on autistic children and their caregivers. (Istock)
Sleep improvements are particularly important for the child and the whole family, O’Haire said.
The researchers found that the children could sleep in their room more independently when the dog was present.
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“The dog provides that source of calm and comfort, which probably reduces anxiety,” he said. “And also, if they wake up a little at night and your service dog is there, they are probably easier to sleep on your own.”
Families also reported having experienced less stigma and judgment and making more positive social connections when they were in public with a service dog, according to O’Haire.
Making a ‘big difference’
Washington’s mother, Amanda Harpell-Franz, shared that her son, Evan, who has autism, has also enjoyed the many benefits of having a service dog.
“Evan is vibrant, curious, compassionate, only illuminates our lives,” Harpell-Franz described in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Most people who know him say there is something in him that is so endearing and attractive.”
Evan, 7, is photographed with his service dog, Kalvin. Since the family welcomed Kalvin, Evan’s mother said he attends school and extracurricular activities consistently and without fighting. (Canine companions)
“He is very active, he loves being outside, he loves to connect with his friends,” he said. “He loves swimming … He’s just a child who gives life. He realizes that other people don’t notice. Very empathic, sweet child.”
Evan was born a week before and experienced seizures, which since then stabilized, but left it with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
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Harpell-Franz then noticed signs of severe anxiety, difficulty understanding social signals and backwarded speech, which finally led to its diagnosis of autism.
“It definitely shapes how Evan sees this world and how it is taken in this world,” he said. “We definitely do not see it as a deficit or something bad, but it has its challenges.”
Evan fought in social environments before being placed with his service dog, Kalvin, through Canine Companions.
Harpell-Franz, who is an previous adoptive father and a life dog owner, spoke of the “big difference” that Kalvin, a laboratory mixture and Golden Retriever, has done for his son and his relationships.
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Evan has also slept better since he received his own service dog, said his mother. Kalvin sleeps by his side every night, the physical pressure that helps the child rest.
“Evan and Calvin sleep consecutive,” said Harpell-Franz. “Evan will spread and place the head on Kalvin. Kalvin puts his arm on Evan.”
Kalvin is trained to apply deep pressure when necessary, even while Evan is sitting in a chair, with a leg or his whole body. (Canine companions)
Since Kalvin joined his family, Harpell-Franz said that Evan has been attending school and extracurricular activities consistently and without fighting.
Kalvin also removes some of Evan’s attention in social spaces, he added, which can relieve social pressure.
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Kalvin is trained to apply deep pressure when necessary, even while Evan is sitting in a chair, with a leg or his whole body.
“Kalvin lying on his body, actually calms him,” said Harpell-Franz. “Honestly, it has been beautiful to see that this happened so naturally, it was one of the things we expected.”
The Harpell-Franz family has three dogs at home, including Kalvin. (Chris Kitredge)
Overcome barriers
Theradora Block, manager of the Canine Companions Research Program in California, shared with Fox News Digital how service dogs are specially trained to calm and protect their owners and are placed to meet the specific needs of a family.
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Dogs, which are mostly laboratories, Golden Retrievers or a combination, are “really stable, love that they interact with humans and really love doing their job,” he said.
Service dogs are specially trained to calm and protect their owners and are placed to meet the specific needs of a family, a representative of the canine classmates said. (Canine companions)
As the placement of waiting dogs for service can sometimes be up to two years, Block encouraged people to register if there is any interest for the future.
O’Haire emphasized the need for more research on how service dogs can better accommodate families.
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“We have seen anecdotes throughout the years of many incredible changes for children with autism and their families,” he said.
“We have seen barriers that have faced in terms of insurance access and support policy, and those changes will require evidence.”
