Dog Ownership Benefts Families of Children with Autism

Parents should consider the sensitivities of their children with autism when choosing a pet
Many families face the decision of whether to get a dog. For families of children with autism, the decision can be even more
challenging. Now, a University of Missouri researcher has studied dog ownership decisions in families of children with autism and
found, regardless of whether they owned dogs, the parents reported the benefts of dog ownership included companionship, stress
relief and opportunities for their children to learn responsibility.
Children with autism spectrum disorders often struggle with interacting with others, which can make it diffcult for them to form
friendships, said Gretchen Carlisle, a research wwfellow at the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) in the
MU College of Veterinary Medicine. Children with autism may especially beneft from interacting with dogs, which can provide
unconditional, nonjudgmental love and companionship to the children.
Carlisle interviewed 70 parents of children with autism. Nearly two-thirds of the parents in the study owned dogs, and of those
parents, 94 percent reported their children with autism were bonded to their dogs. Even in families without dogs, 70 percent of
parents said their children with autism liked dogs. Many dog-owning parents said they specifcally chose to get dogs because of
the perceived benefts to their children with autism, Carlisle said.
Dogs can help children with autism by acting as a social lubricant, Carlisle said. For example, children with autism may fnd
it diffcult to interact with other neighborhood children. If the children with autism invite their peers to play with their dogs, then the
dogs can serve as bridges that help the children with autism communicate with their peers.
Parents of children with autism should consider their childrens sensitivities carefully when choosing a dog in order to ensure a
good match between pet and child, Carlisle said.
Bringing a dog into any family is a big step, but for families of children with autism, getting a dog should be a decision thats taken
very seriously, Carlisle said. If a child with autism is sensitive to loud noises, choosing a dog that is likely to bark will not provide
the best match for the child and the family. If the child has touch sensitivities, perhaps a dog with a softer coat, such as a poodle,
would be better than a dog with a wiry or rough coat, such as a terrier.
Te
Woofngton Post
With energy to spare, dogs can make excellent running companions. Plus, its hard to
blow off your workout when your dog is begging for a run. The frst thing to consider is
whether or not your dog should run along with you. Some pups
are biologically predisposed to enjoy running and others may
be runners at heart, but its not for every dog. Here are some
factors to consider before planning a run with your dog:
Size: Large-framed or stocky dogs can often handle 5Ks
-- as long as you go slowly. Medium-frame dogs with a
muscular and lean build are ideal for longer runs, such as
10Ks. And dont count out the little guys: Small, high-energy
dogs bred specifcally for hunting can often keep up over
long distances.
Behavior: If you usually run along busy sidewalks,
personality and training matters the most. You dont want
to worry about aggressive behavior when passing other
runners or dogs.
Ability: Some dogs just arent designed to handle human-style
running. Squishy-nosed dogs like pugs or English bulldogs
are prone to overheating and breathing issues. Giant dogs,
like Great Danes, also struggle to keep up. These dogs beneft from exercise, of course,
but youll probably want to stick to walking.

Running With Your Dog
EDITOR: WILLIAM COOKE
Upcoming AKC
Dog Shows
May 01, 2014 - May 07, 2014
May 08, 2014 - May 14, 2014
May 15, 2014 - May 21, 2014
May 22, 2014 - May 28, 2014
May 29, 2014 - Jun 04, 2014
Jun 05, 2014 - Jun 11, 2014
Jun 12, 2014 - Jun 18, 2014
Weiner
Dog Races
In Dachshund racing, the Weiner dog
winners are usually the ones that cross the
fnish line at some point in the race. The
races are based loosely on Terrier sprints,
and theyre fun for the whole family. They
have race meets across the country and in
some foreign countries as well. There is also
a National Championship race held each
year, where the fastest hot dog is awarded
the Champion title.
People who dont race Doxies worry
about the publicity, and the fact that the dogs
might be injured. Dachshunds have long
backs, and are prone to spinal issues. People
also worry that if groups start betting on the
Weiner dog races, that it will become a dog-
eat-dog business like Greyhound racing.
They certainly dont want animals killed off
because they are too slow, like Greyhounds
are every year.
Greyhound racing has been steadily losing
attendance, since people have learned about
the abuse of the dogs, and the killing of dogs
who arent fast enough. But Dachshunds
who race are still family pets and companion
animals, and unless its done secretly, betting
is not allowed.
A young Siberian boy miraculously survived three freezing nights trapped in a service
shaft thanks to a friendly stray who kept him warm.
According to the Siberian Times, 7-year-old Raul Kutliakhmetov was attempting to
rescue the dog from the service shaft when he, too, tumbled down the 3-meter hole.
Unable to climb out or cry for help, the pair relied on each other for warmth through
three freezing nights until rescuers fnally arrived.
Raul was on his way home from school when he heard the sound of the trapped stray.
"It was coming from inside the uncovered hole on the side of the road," he told the
Siberian Times. "I looked inside and saw my favourite dog down there."
Raul recognized the dog as the one he often played with in his home village in
Bashkiria near the Ural mountains.
"I wanted to save the dog and fell inside; I was calling but no one heard me," Raul
told the Siberian Times. The stone walls of the shaft may have muffed his cries for help,
reported the Daily Mail.
Raul's worried mother then contacted the authorities. The Russian Interior Ministry
began broadcasting an ad about her missing son.
Boy Survives Freezing
Temperatures Thanks To Stray
Treo is a retired member of the British military, and a decorated war hero. Te black Labrador
was a member of the 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit and served in Afghanistan.
Tere, the trained snifer twice found hidden bombs in Helmand province in 2008. Treo was
awarded the Dickin Medal, the highest military honor for an animal in Britain, in 2010. Sgt.
Dave Heyhoe was Treos handler in the military, and the two served together in Northern
Ireland before being
shipped to Afghanistan.
When both completed
their military service, Treo
went home to live with
Heyhoe, who said Treos
action saved the lives of
many soldiers.
TREO THE BOMB-SNIFFER