Child with Autism: Animal Assisted Therapy Part 1

This session is the introduction of a child with autism with an assistance dog in training. Notice how carefully this Great Pyrenees assistance dog "sizes up" the child and follows her within the safety of the enclosed pasture. At the beginning of this video, this child hits the dog and pulls his tail, but consistent with his nature he returns her gestures with a playful attitude and dedication. This video was captured at the end of close to an hour session of this child interacting positively with the animals.

The white Great Pyrenees dog was raised with special needs children.

The child in this video has Autism. The dog is very loyal to her.

This child is inconsistent, unpredictable, and sometimes hits the dog, but the dog remains loyal.

This child pulls the tail and pushes the dog, but he remains happily with her.

This dog frequently checks on the child.

The dog's training was successful because there was a "built-in" interest in children that training complimented.

Notice how the dog checks on this girl to be sure she is safe.

The child has gone inside the steel hutch, and the dog goes back to check on her.

There is another Great Pyrenees in the adjacent pasture, but that dog doesn't have the heart for this child.

I like to incorporate large dogs into my therapy dog work. All dogs are OFA hip certified.

Notice how the dog continues to follow the child.