Canine therapy

For a long time, people with disabilities and special health conditions have used dogs for therapy and assistance. Dogs can be very helpful to special needs children. Many people have asked, how can a therapy dog help my special needs’ child? Here is a list of the benefits:

·         It can help a child engage and communicate

·         It can help calm anxiety

·         It can reduce stemming behavior

·         It can improve sensory processing

·         It can help a child be less aggressive

·         It can help with impulse control

·         It can help social skills

·         It can increase self esteem

·         It can increase self awareness

·         It can increase a child’s balance and range of motion

·         It can help with mobility and endurance

·         It can increase independence

·         It can keep a child from running off

 

Currently, to train a dog to be a therapy dog costs around $20,000. Luckily, you don’t need your own therapy dog. Many areas have programs that use therapy dogs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Some places even offer services for free!

Our son is involved in a free program given by the library. Twice a month, a therapy dog comes to the library for “reading group”. Children in reading group get to socially interact with each other by taking turns to pet the dog, read to the dog, and give treats to the dog while giving commands. I have personally watched this dog calm anxiety in the children while reading, build confidence, increase socialization skills, and help with speech.

Children with disabilities face a challenging world. Therapy dogs can provide unconditional love while helping them achieve their goals.