Canine Companions has been collaborating on important research exploring the role of service dogs in enhancing the lives of children with autism and their families since 2019. Partnering with researchers from the OHAIRE Group* and the HAB Lab* at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, an initial study was published in Frontiers of Psychiatry in 2023 that found that service dogs help strengthen family connections, reduce judgment and stigma, and serve as a source of resilience and emotional support for both the child and the entire family. Read more on this study.
Building on this work, a second publication, in Frontiers of Psychiatry in 2024, examined how service dogs impact children with autism and their caregivers by comparing measures of children and families with a service dog to those on the waitlist for a service dog. The study found that partnership with a service dog had a significant positive impact on child sleep. Compared to individuals on the waitlist, children with service dogs fell asleep more easily, slept longer, experienced less anxiety at bedtime, and were less likely to co-sleep with their caregivers. Sleep challenges are common for children with autism and can impact daily routines, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. By helping children sleep better, service dogs can contribute to better days for the whole family.
Importantly, results of this study found that service dogs may not impact all areas of child and parent well-being uniformly. Compared to children on the waitlist, the presence of a service dog did not have an impact on child mood, behavior, or peer relationships. In addition, caregivers with a service dog in the home did not differ from those on the waitlist in caregiving strain or depression. While these results were not expected, the characteristics and behaviors of children with autism vary across the spectrum, as do the experiences of caregivers. Future research will benefit from examining the impact of service dogs longitudinally, over time.
Click here to read the published study! *
Together, these studies contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of service dog placements as an intervention for children with autism. Canine Companions proudly places service dogs with children with autism as part of a three-party team: the child, the service dog, and the facilitator who handles the service dog. Through our research collaboration with the University of Arizona, we continue to explore the unique ways service dogs can support children and families, refining our programs to maximize their life-changing benefits. This paper is the latest in a series of ongoing research efforts—stay tuned for more!
Graphic abstract thanks to the OHAIRE & HAB labs, to learn more, please go to: http://www.humananimalinteraction.org/*
Note from the study authors: The research publication uses “person-first” language (i.e. child with autism), in line with the publisher’s guidelines and the preference of some individuals in the autistic community. However, we recognize that others within the autistic and disability communities prefer “identity-first” language (i.e., autistic child). More information and resources can be found at the Disability Language Style Guide.*
2024 paper Citation
Rodriguez, K. E., Rispoli, M., Kelleher, B. L., MacLean, E. L., & O’Haire, M. E. (2024). The effects of service dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1355970*
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