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'Therapy Dogs' Help Teach Children With Autism

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Feb 12, 2007 5:09 pm US/Eastern

'Therapy Dogs' Help Teach Children With Autism

by Tony Aiello
VERPLANCK, N.Y. (CBS) ― Lola the English bulldog jumped into Matthew's lap and started to lick his face.

Matthew wrapped both arms around his own chest and smiled.

"That's his sign for love," said Jessica Yablow, Matthew's teacher at Ardsley Middle School.

Fifteen-year old Matthew was one of nine students with autism to take a special field trip to Canine Kindergarten, a "doggy daycare" center in Northern Westchester.

The kennel is home to several therapy dogs who have been visiting the students at school for the last three years.

"My students have come a long way, from being scared, running away, and kicking the dogs," said Yablow. "Now they actually approach them, and request them. This is a real rich, inviting experience for my students."

Matthew and other students watched dogs run and chase each other in the kennel's playroom. They also participated in a training session, giving the therapy dogs hand commands to sit and lie down. Students seemed delighted when they were allowed to hand the dogs biscuits as a reward.

The trip to the kennel stimulated keen interest from students who sometimes seem to shut out the world. Yablow said when the students connect with the dogs, it enocurages them to focus and engage, which are skills most autistic children lack.

One student with autism, named Stephanie, initially seemed unaware of the dog sitting next to her on the sofa. Within a few minutes, though, she was looking at the animal and gently grooming its coat with a rubber brush.

"They're petting the dogs, looking at their nails, and their teeth and ears," said Lisa Smith, co-owner of Canine Kindergarten. "They're learning more and more about the dogs, you can tell they have a good feeling."

Most importantly, Yablow said the animal interaction inspires the students to open up to their teachers.

"They'll actually tell us about their experience with the dogs, which they never did before," said Yablow. "So it really opens up a whole communication area that they never had before.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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