Research Shows Dogs Reduce Stress in Families Caring for Children with Autism

New research has shown that owning a dog reduces stress in families who have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They researchers also found significant improvements in family functionality in families with a dog compared to those without.

Study Finds Dogs Reduce Stress in Families With Autistic Children

The study was carried out at the University of Lincoln UK and has been published in the American Journal of Veterinary Behavior. Since previous studies have focused on the positive effects dogs have on the children, researchers wanted to find out what effects owning a dog has on those more widely affected by autism.

The study was a follow up to a previous study that focused on the short term effects having a dog has on families with children with autism. Researchers followed up with these families 2.5 years later to study the the long term effects the dogs had on the family.

The study found that the short term improvements in family functioning lasted years beyond the initial findings, and that the levels of stress continued to decline.

This study shows that having a pet dog in the home decreases the stress levels for everyone in the home. That same reduction was not evident in families without a dog. The study highlights the potential long term positive effects having a dog can have for families.

Previous Studies Found That Dogs Benefit Children With Autism

In 2014 researchers at University College Cork (UCC) found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) benefit from having a dog, especially at a young age.

The study focused on the benefits that specially trained assistance dogs can provide to children with ADS. They analyzed questionnaires from 80 families with a dog, and 84 who were on the waiting list for a dog.

The researchers focused on the impact having a service dog had for the families in areas of child safety, caregiver strain & awareness of ASD. They found that those with an assistance dog showed an improved quality of life for everyone in the household.

In 2016 PLOS ONE study researchers found that trained assistance dogs help increase child safety, outdoor access, and can lead to enhanced communication and social interaction.