New Research to Study Impact of Therapy Dogs On Stress and Academic Performance in Children with Autism

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and IDEXX today hosted a virtual lecture during Autism Awareness Month, focusing on new research demonstrating the impact of shelter cat adoption on the social skills and anxiety levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This lecture titled, “The Impact of Shelter Cat Adoption in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”, features Dr. Gretchen Carlisle, Research Scientist, Research Center for Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI), University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, discussing her HABRI-funded publication, “Exploratory study of cat adoption in families of children with autism: Impact on children’s social skills and anxiety”, which found that found introduction of a shelter cat into the home may have a positive impact on children with ASD and their parents. Results from Dr. Carlisle’s project were published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing in December 2020. This was the first randomized controlled trial of adoption of a temperament-screened shelter cat by families of children with ASD. This exploratory study found that introduction of a cat into the home may have a positive impact on children with ASD, including greater Empathy and less Separation Anxiety for children with ASD, along with fewer problem behaviors including Externalizing, Bullying and Hyperactivity/Inattention. The children and their parents reported close bonds with their new cats almost immediately after adoption, and despite the cat caretaking responsibility, these bonds did not decrease over time. “These research results show that children with autism and their families can benefit from the calmer, quieter demeanor of a pet cat,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “HABRI and IDEXX hope that together, we can help raise awareness of the health benefits of pet cats and help more cats find loving homes.” Professionals who viewed this session live are eligible to receive RACE-approved...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced that Petzey, a leading on-demand mobile pet telehealth and wellness app, has become an official supporter of HABRI and its scientific research on the symbiotic relationship between people and companion animals. This collaboration is poised to advance scientific study and educate the public on this valuable relationship. “Joining forces with HABRI aligns seamlessly with Petzey’s vision of revolutionizing pet care through our comprehensive virtual network of veterinary professionals,” stated Mike Ortega, CEO of Petzey. “We’re not just committed to transforming the way we care for our pets; we’re dedicated to fostering joy and wellbeing. This partnership amplifies our commitment to supporting the family unit as a whole, recognizing that pets are an integral part of our lives and emotional health. Together with HABRI, we’re excited to embark on this journey, reinforcing the human-animal bond.” HABRI research has found a strong correlation between knowledge of the science of the human-animal bond and positive action when it comes to pet care. Pet owners across the board are increasingly aware of the health benefits of owning a pet. As a result, they feel an increased sense of commitment and are more inclined to take extra steps that benefit their pet’s overall well-being. HABRI survey research also shows an increasing usage and interest in veterinary telemedicine, with 22% of pet owners saying that they had had a virtual appointment and 30% saying they intended to use veterinary telemedicine in the future.[1] “HABRI is grateful for the support of Petzey, a company with a clear mission to keep our pets healthy and the human-animal bond strong,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. Through this synergistic partnership, Petzey and HABRI will elevate the importance of pet-centric healthcare innovation while advocating for the recognition of the emotional, psychological, and...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced the results of a new study published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing titled, “Exploratory study of cat adoption in families of children with autism: Impact on children’s social skills and anxiety,” demonstrating that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience increases in empathy and decreases in problem behaviors after adoption of a shelter cat into their families. “Our study found that children with ASD experienced significant increases in the social skill of empathy, significant decreases in problem behaviors including bullying and hyperactivity/inattention, and also less separation anxiety after the introduction of a shelter cat,” said Gretchen Carlisle, PhD, MEd, RN, research scientist at the University of Missouri Research Center for Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI). “Previous research has focused on interactions of dogs with children who have ASD, but dogs may not provide the best fit for all children and their families, especially given the hypersensitivities to sound that are common among children with ASD,” Carlisle said. “We hope the results of this study will help encourage more families to consider the possibility of cat ownership and help more shelter cats find loving, deserving homes.” “For the first time, we have scientific research that shows how beneficial cats can be for families of children with ASD,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI, the primary funder of the study. “Selecting a suitable family pet is an important decision. Families with a child with ASD now have more information and more choices, and we hope that this will also help more shelter cats find good homes.” Findings of the Feline Friends study, led by researchers at the University of Missouri, demonstrated that children with an adopted shelter cat had better empathy and less separation anxiety, as well as fewer problem behaviors exhibited by less externalizing, bullying...