Sensory Friendly: Autism Dogs
Our Mission for Dogs Help Kids, Inc. was broadened in a wonderful way during theThanksgiving season, 2009. At that time, a mom and her daughter with autism came into our lives. Each week this dedicated mom picked up one of our dogs and kept the dog for that weekend. The purpose of this experiment was to determine if a patient, trained, engaging dog would be beneficial to her 6 year old daughter who was on the autism spectrum.
This experiment is a developing success story and has tremendous potential ! We've been advised by Dr. Temple Grandin that although a dog is not the answer for each child on the autism spectrum due to sensory issues, she said that there is clearly a benefit for some children matched with some dogs.
The special relationship between dog and child needs clear definitions and validation as a beneficial intervention. Therefore, we are preparing for being a part of future research.
Jeannie Bolstridge
B. Ed. , "Retired"
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