News: Having Pets May Help Children with Autism Increase Social Interaction

Pets may provide increased social interaction and physical activity for children with autism. Alan M. Beck, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine explains that pets can provide companionship, promote speech, and stimulate a person's sense of touch. In the case of children with autism, animals can be used as protection, for example, a service dog can help watch a child so he doesn't wander into the street. Pets have been found to be good for people with Alzheimer's and for stroke recovery as well as children with autism.

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