Dogs for Autistic Children

Autistic children can be leashed to a service dog which is controlled by the parent to prevent the child from wandering off or getting hurt (Burrows et al. 2008). The dogs can function as the child’s safety blanket and keep them calm in new or previously scary situations. Having a dog can also provide the child with the responsibility of looking after it, giving the child some purpose and a sense of importance. It also gives the child a friend, and something he or she can communicate with, without feeling afraid (Autism dog Services 2012).