Paper and video completed in partial requirement for the course, Colloquium: Ethics in Science and Society.
AssociatedEntity
Role
Teacher
Name
Julie M. Fagan
Affiliation
SEBS - Animal Science, Rutgers University
Type
Course
Label
Colloquium: Ethics in Science and Society
TitleInfo
Title
The Use of Animals as a Therapy for Autism
Abstract (type = abstract)
A review of the disease and how the use of animals, specifically horses, may improve the well-being of those affected
Abstract (type = summary)
According to the Center for Disease Control, autism affects about 1 in 110 children in the United States. There is no cure for autism, however, there is a wide array of methods used to cope and manage it. The use of animals, in particular horses and dogs, can provide both a physical and mental benefit to the autistic individual. Animal-assisted therapy is increasingly being used by people in medical fields. The use of animals seems to reduce the appearance of some of the typical behaviors associated with autism; primarily difficulty with social interactions and physical detriments. Horses and dogs seem to be able to enrich the lives of people affected by autism. To personally address the use of animals with autistic individuals I gave a few young autistic children the opportunity to ride and learn on my personal horses. During their time with the horses the children learned to groom a horse, learned things about caring for the horses, and learned some of the basic essentials of riding. The children all seemed to benefit from the experience. They were always excited to get to the barn and ride, and as noted by their parents, teachers, and therapists, seemed to show improvement in their daily lives.