Animal Therapy
By Lisa Jo Rudy Updated on March 31, 2022
Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD
Just some of the ways in which art therapy is useful to children on the autism spectrum include Enhanced communication through creative expression. Improved imagination and greater abstract thinking. The ability to build stronger relationships while encouraging children with autism to see other people's perspectives.
People with autism who become animal lovers join the ranks of millions of other people who share their animal-loving passion and interest. Finding a group with a shared interest can be life-changing for people living with autism.
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Studies on autism and animals are almost universally positive. Pets, service dogs, and animal-assisted therapies help people with autism cope with anxiety, engage more fully with other people, and even build communication skills. One study suggested that people living with autism smile a lot more when they're around animals.
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Pets: For many people with autism, pets provide a unique type of social bond that's available through no other means. Research supports the theory that pets promote "prosocial" behaviors such as shared interactions and shared smiles. The arrival of a pet is, according to one study, an especially beneficial moment.
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Pets and Emotional Support Animals
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Studies find that people living with autism who have pets and/or emotional support animals gain in measurable ways from the experience.
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Emotional support animals are essentially pets that provide comfort and have been certified by a professional as being necessary to the emotional well-being of the owner. Such certifications can come from a doctor, therapist, or other professional. With the right documentation, emotional support animals are usually allowed to accompany their owners—though there are some limits, depending on the size and temperament of the animal.
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Source:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/animal-pet-therapies-for-autism-4174509
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No matter what the species, pets can:
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Provide an easy, always-available self-calming mechanism
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Help smooth social communication
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By lowering anxiety, help navigate challenging locations such as airports, lecture halls, large restaurants, etc.