Researchers find that canines help the emotional well-being of autistic children

By Staff Writer

A study by researchers at University of Montreal reveals that a specially trained pet dog can provide benefits to the emotional and mental health of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), reports animalfriend.org.

The study measured the amount of cortisol present in the saliva of 42 children with ASD. Experts say that the hormone is produced by the body in regulation with stress, and researchers measured the hormone when a dog was introduced to the child. Researchers found that the parents of those children in the study reported that canines helped minimize the emotional distress in their child.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies autism as a disorder in which affected individuals have significant language delays with social and communication challenges.

Boarding schools can help those who suffer from the condition by offering them individualized therapy and education designed for academic, social and behavioral success.

According to a study by the CDC, nearly 730,000 individuals under the age of 21 have an ASD in the U.S. Furthermore, approximately 35,500 children will eventually be diagnosed with the condition each year.