1. Animal Assisted Therapy among Children with Autism
Jennifer Leitner, OTS
Spalding University

2. How does animal assisted therapy relate to Occupational Therapy?

3. Motivate and encourage individuals to participate in social interactions, physical activity, and joint attention.

4. Therapy dogs can provide laughter,
relaxation, and reduce pain for all individuals with physical and or mental disabilities.

5. Animal Assisted Therapy
Increase the use of language and social skills
Increase ability to motor plan
Stimulate body awareness through proprioception and vestibular processing
Increase Bilateral Upper Extremities (BUE’s) and Core Strength
Reduce pain in children in an acute setting
Reduce stress in various contexts

6. K9 Coaches Therapy Dogs United Reinforce canine agility & canine obedience Children and young adults, ages 4 to 21 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

7. How should OT move forward?
AAT provides specific goals to improve physical, mental, social wellbeing.
Progress is measured and documented.
Areas related to OT include:
Improve fine motor skills.
Increase attention skills.
Develop leisure/recreation skills.
Increase self-esteem.
Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity.
Improve interactions with others.
Expand research that can be related to OT and AAT.
Expand education through Continuing Competency courses related to AAT and OT.

8. Understand the DSM-V
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (F80.89)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (F84.0)
Case Study
In an animal-assisted therapy session designed to improve a client’s ability to sequence events, i.e. a therapist teaches a client the steps of brushing a dog. Motivated by the opportunity to brush the dog himself, the client remembers the steps, and the therapist has the client recite the order of events aloud as he goes through the actual sequence.

9. References
Bass, M. M., Duchowny, C. A., Llabre, M. M. (2009). The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on social functioning in children with autism. Journal Autism Developmental Disorder, 39, DOI /s
Bax, B. (2012). Pet Partners. Retrieved from:
Brady, L.J. (2012) Animal assisted therapy [PDF document]. Retrieved from Professional Development Resources website:
Braun, C., Stangler, T., Narveson, J., Pettingell, S. (2009). Animal-assisted therapy as a pain relief intervention for children. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 15, DOI: /j.ctcp
Christianson, P. V. Z. (2013) Therapy Dogs United. Retrieved from:
Friesen, L. (2010). Exploring animal-assisted programs with children in school and therapeutic contexts. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37, 261–267. doi: /s
Martin, F.,Farnum, J. (2002). Animal-assistive therapy for children with pervasive developmental disorders. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24, 6,
Nienke, v.L., & Hein A. (2011). The Influence of Animals on the Development of Children. Veterinary Journal. Nov. 190(2):
Sams, M. J., Fortney, E. V., & Willenbring, S. (2006). Occupational therapy incorporating animals for children with autism: A pilot investigation. American Occupational Therapy Association, 60, 268–274.
Silva, K. PhD, Correia, R. B.S., Lima, M. M.D., Magalhaes, A., PhD, & Sousa, de L., PhD. (2011). Can dogs prime autistic children for therapy? Evidence from a single case study. The Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, 17, 7, , doi: /acm
Somervill,J.W., Swanson, A.M. Robertson, R.L., Arnett, M.A., MacLin, O.H. (2009). Handling a dog by children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Calming or exciting? North American Journal of Psychology, 11, 1,