<p>There is some evidence that pet therapy are effective for individuals with autism. The studies did not differentiate between children and adult though it is likely that the studies are focused on children. </p>

<p>This <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232813038_Animal-Assisted_Intervention_for_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder_A_Systematic_Literature_Review" rel="nofollow noreferrer">2012 systematic review by O'Haire</a> found increased social interaction and communication as well as a decrease in problem behaviors, autistic severity, and stress. There is a strong suspicion of publication bias and also a lack of control arms for comparison. O'Haire found 14 studies ranging from 1989 to 2012 that had outcome data for her review. </p>

<p>Another interesting <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0041739" rel="nofollow noreferrer">2012 French study by Grandgeorge et al)</a> looked at the prosocial impact of having a pet in 260 families with children. What I thought was interesting was that having a pet since birth had minimal impact on the child which were the same rate as children without pets. However, if the family got a new pet after the age of 5, there was evidence of an increase in prosocial behavior. </p>

<p><strong>References:</strong></p>

<p>Grandgeorge, M., Tordjman, S., Lazartigues, A., Lemonnier, E., Deleau, M., &amp; Hausberger, M. (2012). <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0041739" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Does Pet Arrival Trigger Prosocial Behaviors in Individuals with Autism?</a> PLOS ONE, 7(8), e41739. </p>

<p>O’Haire, M. (2012). <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232813038_Animal-Assisted_Intervention_for_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder_A_Systematic_Literature_Review" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Animal-Assisted Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review</a>. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Vol 43, pg 1606–1622.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-31T01:42:24.877Z
2019-08-31T01:42:24.877Z
Poidah
<p>As a <strong>Special Education Teacher at ACCEL</strong>, behaviors of individuals with autism has been remarkably consistent over time with the help of ABA therapy services, which include pet therapy and individualized education program.</p>

<p>What are your thoughts about pet therapy for this population? How is it proven to be beneficial?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-27T14:58:57.693Z
Hi Dorian, please take a look [here](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/help/promotion) . This in general applies for all Stackexchange sites ...
bummi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-29T07:17:04.310Z
I suggest to drop "What are your thoughts about pet therapy for this population?", as it inspires subjectivity (you can edit). The other question seems okay. +1
Steven Jeuris
<learning><autism>
How will the pet therapy aid the child with autism?
Dorian Townsend
# How will the pet therapy aid the child with autism?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-11-27)

As a **Special Education Teacher at ACCEL**, behaviors of individuals with autism has been remarkably consistent over time with the help of ABA therapy services, which include pet therapy and individualized education program.

What are your thoughts about pet therapy for this population? How is it proven to be beneficial?

**Tags:** learning, autism

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hi Dorian, please take a look [here](https://psychology.stackexchange.com/help/promotion) . This in general applies for all Stackexchange sites ...  
> **username_2**: I suggest to drop "What are your thoughts about pet therapy for this population?", as it inspires subjectivity (you can edit). The other question seems okay. +1  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-08-31. Score: 1

There is some evidence that pet therapy are effective for individuals with autism. The studies did not differentiate between children and adult though it is likely that the studies are focused on children.

This [2012 systematic review by O'Haire](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232813038_Animal-Assisted_Intervention_for_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder_A_Systematic_Literature_Review) found increased social interaction and communication as well as a decrease in problem behaviors, autistic severity, and stress. There is a strong suspicion of publication bias and also a lack of control arms for comparison. O'Haire found 14 studies ranging from 1989 to 2012 that had outcome data for her review.

Another interesting [2012 French study by Grandgeorge et al)](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0041739) looked at the prosocial impact of having a pet in 260 families with children. What I thought was interesting was that having a pet since birth had minimal impact on the child which were the same rate as children without pets. However, if the family got a new pet after the age of 5, there was evidence of an increase in prosocial behavior.

**References:**

Grandgeorge, M., Tordjman, S., Lazartigues, A., Lemonnier, E., Deleau, M., & Hausberger, M. (2012). [Does Pet Arrival Trigger Prosocial Behaviors in Individuals with Autism?](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0041739) PLOS ONE, 7(8), e41739.

O’Haire, M. (2012). [Animal-Assisted Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232813038_Animal-Assisted_Intervention_for_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder_A_Systematic_Literature_Review). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Vol 43, pg 1606–1622.


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