Being a cute friend can add fun and companionship to anyone-but for autism children, it can be life-changing.
A recent study by the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine evaluated the impact of service dogs on autistic children and their carers in 75 families.
Working with non -profit service dog provider canine peers, researchers found that being a service dog was associated with “much better child sleep behavior”, including low sleep concern and better sleep initiation and duration.
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In an interview with Fox News Digital, the head researcher of the Associate Dean of Research at the University, Dr. Maggi O’Hayer said that research was provoked by increasing number of programs that serve dogs with autistic children.
A recent study by the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine evaluated the impact of service dogs on autistic children and their care. (Istock)
O’Hare said that sleep improvement is especially important for children and the whole family.
Researchers found that the children were able to sleep more independently in their room.
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“The dog provides calm and a source of comfort, which probably reduces anxiety,” he said. “And also, if they wake up a little at night and their service dog is there, they are probably able to fall back to sleep more easily.”
According to O’Hayer, families reported less stigma and decision to experience more positive social relations with a service dog.
Make a ‘huge difference’
Washington’s mother Amanda Harpel-Fanz shared that her son, Ivan, who has autism, has also enjoyed many benefits of having a service dog.
“Ivan is lively, curious, kind-he only illuminates our lives,” Harpel-Franz described his 7-year-old son in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Most people who meet him say that there is something about him that is so dear and attractive.”
7 -year -old Ivan is depicted with his service dog, Kalvin. Since the family welcomed Calvin, Ivan’s mother said that she was participating in school and extra convertible activities without constant and without struggle. (Canine partner)
“He is very active, likes to be out, likes to join his friends,” he said. “He likes to swim … He is just a life -giving child. He notices other people that do not notice other people. Very sympathetic, sweet child.”
Ivan was born a week ago and an experienced tour, which has been stabilized since then, but left it with a hemipalgic cerebral palsy.
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Harpel-Franz later focused on signs of severe anxiety, difficulty in understanding social signals, and speech, eventually leading to their autism diagnosis.
“It certainly shapes how Ivan sees this world and how he takes into this world,” he said. “We certainly do not see it as a loss or something bad, but there are challenges.”
Ivan struggled in social settings before being placed with his service dog, Kalvin through Canine’s comrades.
The Harpel-Franz, a previous foster parent and a long-standing dog owner, spoke of a “huge difference” that Kalvin-Ek Lab and Golden Retriever Mix-Ne made up for their son and their relationships.
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Ivan has also slept better since receiving his own service dog, his mother said. Calvin sleeps next to him every night, physical pressure helps the boy to take better rest.
“Ivan and Calvin sleep back-to-back,” said Harpel-Franz. “Ivan will reach Calvin and put his head. Kalvin put his hand on Ivan.”
Calvin is trained to apply deep pressure when needed, while Ivan is sitting on a chair, either with a claw or its entire body. (Canine partner)
Since Kalvin joined his family, Harpel-Franz stated that Ivan is continuously and without struggle is participating in school and extra curricular activities.
Calvin also took some attention to Ivan in social places, he said, which can give relief from social pressure.
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Calvin is trained to apply deep pressure when needed, while Ivan is sitting on a chair, either with a claw or its entire body.
“Calvin is lying in his body, it really calms him,” said Harpel-Franz. “It is honestly beautiful that happens naturally to see this – it was one of the things we expected.”
There are three dogs in the Harapel-Franz family house, including Kalvin. (Chris Kitradrade)
Overcome the obstacles
The canine’s research program manager in California shared with Tadora Block, Fox News Digital how service dogs are specially trained to calm and protect their owners and are kept in conformity to family specific needs.
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Dogs – mostly labs, golden retrievers or a combination – “sweet, really stable, interacting with humans, and really like to do their work,” he said.
Service dogs are specially trained to calm and protect their owners and are kept in line with the specific needs of the family, said a representative of canine peers. (Canine partner)
As the wait for service dog placement can be up to two years, the block encouraged people to sign up whether there was any interest for the future.
O’Hare emphasized the need for more research on how service dogs can better adjust families.
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“We have seen anecdotes over the years of many incredible changes for children with autism and their families,” he said.
“We have seen the obstacles that they have encountered in terms of access policy and insurance aid, and those changes require evidence.”
