Well-Being Indicators in Autistic Children and Therapy Dogs During a Group Intervention: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Animal-assisted services (AAS) offer documented psychological and physical health benefits.
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting social interaction and communication.
• Dog-assisted activities are a specific form of AAS with therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate psycho-physiological indicators during dog-assisted activities in children with ASD.
• To assess changes in salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels in children and dogs.
• To evaluate parental and handler perceptions of the program's impact.

Main Methods:

• A 90-day pilot study involving 10 children with ASD and 4 experienced therapy dogs.
• Weekly one-hour sessions with saliva collection for oxytocin and cortisol analysis before and after each session.
• Post-program questionnaires for parents and dog handlers assessing perceived effects and animal well-being.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in dogs' oxytocin or cortisol levels during sessions; a trend of increased oxytocin and cortisol noted post-program.
• Children with ASD showed a statistically significant increase in salivary cortisol post-session, but not oxytocin.
• Parents reported 100% improvement in children's sociability; handlers noted no signs of stress in dogs.

Conclusions:

• Dog-assisted activities may positively influence sociability in children with ASD, though physiological responses require further investigation.
• Ensuring the well-being of therapy dogs through careful selection is crucial for effective AAS.
• This study highlights the need for further research into the nuanced physiological and behavioral effects of AAS in pediatric populations.