Effects of Animal Assisted Therapy on Autism (Video 4 of 5)

In study after study, animal-assisted therapy has proven to be a valid tool in helping children with autism and other developmental disabilities build a new sense of self-confidence. Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to counteract isolation and facilitate socialization. In this 20-minute video, split up into 5 parts, one little boy builds a relationship with a therapy dog and learns about purpose and compassion. (Video 4 of 5.)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Autism
• Animal
• Assisted
• Therapy
• Dogs

[guidorca]

This series of videos are so inspiring! I am a mother of an autistic child, and seeing Zachary learn new skills makes me just as happy as I get when my son learns a new skill. I wish him nothing but the best and would love to see an update on him.

[bosquecat]

@guidorca THank you!!! Zach is doing well. He has his own dog now, and though she's not an official service dog or specially trained dog, she's been a motivator for him to interact with others.

[FinalFreakFantasyXX]

That's why dogs are man's best friend. God gave them the ability of a healing touch I think. Because whenever I'm sad or depressed and crying, my dog comes up to me and licks all the tears away. All I can do is laugh and give her kisses. They are TRULY special animals..

[bosquecat]

@FinalFreakFantasyXX Agreed!!!

[bosquecat]

@SilverSammet Great questions. The family got a dog shortly after this project ended. Henry sort of "trained" the family dog on how to interact appropriately with Zach. Their dog is not a specially trained dog, but she's a wonderful companion to Zach and his family.

[bosquecat]

@misspinkpunkykat Were you able to find Part 3?

[misspinkpunkykat]

Where's part 3?

[Project2Heal]

Check out "The Magic of Kids and Puppies" video and the Project 2 Heal Foundation, which matches Labrador puppies with children who have special needs.

[SilverSammet]

@bosquecat

When you work with therapy dogs in this way, close to the end, do you introduces other therapy dogs, along with the dog that the patient has confidence in?

What I wonder is, what happens if the dog dies. What happens with the patient, if the dog he/she has confidence to disappears and a new introduction to take its place.

Does it work? Do you have to start all over again?

Very interesting video!

[00lowell]

Bless his heart! How awesome.