Home › Living › Animal Kingdom
Effects of animal-assisted therapy on a child with autism
Video
Jennifer Baról's 20-minute video on "Effects of Animal-assisted Therapy on a Child with Autism" shows the bond that was built between boy and dog, and the transformation of Zachary. Watch »
Smart Box
For more information about this study or video, please contact Jen Baról: jenbarol@yahoo.com
More Animal Kingdom
- Pets of the Week: Jan. 17, 2008
- Healthy treatment for animals is a growing trend
- Dog owners OK with throwing parties for their pets
MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES
-
ABQTrib.com to remain available
08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008 -
Congressman is indicted
08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Series of attacks target Green Zone
08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Iran is defying U.N., agency says
08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008 -
Waterboarding approval probed
08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008
TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*
- Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
- Is Rome Burning?
- Ominous Skies
- The Road to Invalidation
- Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.
STORY TOOLS
SHARE THIS STORY [?]
To an animal lover, it seems obvious that the presence of an animal would encourage healing. We feel a sense of comfort and calm as we stroke the soft fur of a quiet cat or feel the gentle nudge of a dog's nose.
But can an animal be used as a form of treatment in traditional medicine?
Jennifer Baról, a graduate student in the New Mexico Highlands University School of Social Work, headed up a research project to study whether animal-assisted therapy is a valid treatment tool.
Between July 2006 and November 2006, Baról conducted a 15-week study titled "The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on a Child with Autism". The study's purpose was to determine whether there is evidence that animal-assisted therapy helps increase social skills in children with autism.
The results were dramatic. Prior to working with Henry, an 8-year-old Australian cattle dog, 5-year-old Zachary struggled to communicate. He covered his eyes and his ears, he withdrew into corners and he threw tantrums when he couldn't get people to understand him. New activities stressed him out. He didn't know how to play with other people. He had never spoken a complete sentence.
After meeting Henry and building a bond with him, Zachary has transformed into a different child. He's more self-assured. He takes on new activities with curiosity. He is more aware of his surroundings and the needs of other people.
Most astonishing is how, halfway through the research project, Zachary spoke his first sentence.
It seems that for Zachary, animal-assisted therapy has opened up a new world.
