Research: Challenges of Service-Dog Ownership for Families with Autistic Children: Lessons for Veterinary Practitioners

Authored by Burrows, KE, and Adams CL in JVME, Volume 34, Issue 4, p. 559-566, (2009).

Article summary (posted Aug 31, 2010):

Service dogs may be a friend to a child with autism and help keep the child safe, but the family with the dog needs the support of a good veterinarian.

The purpose of this study was to learn from families what it is like to have a service dog to support a child with autism. Each family must find its own way to bring a service dog into the family. The authors found that the troubles with service dogs may offset the good of having a service dog. The authors suggest that veterinarians look at the results of this study so that they can better help the owners of service dogs. Veterinary schools can teach veterinarians how to learn what needs to be known about families who want service dogs.

Links:

You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
autism, family, friend, school, service dog
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