Today almost one child in 88 has been diagnosed with some form of Autism, which can cause communication, social and language problems. Studies just released from an Autism Resource Center in Brest, France say that when pets are introduced to Autistic children after age 5 the kids improved their ability to share and offer comfort. Kids who had pets in the family from the time they were born showed no improvement in sharing or comforting. The study is small and may present more questions that it answers, but any hope for helping Autistic children overcome their challenges is a good reason to consider having a pet.

Studies: Hospital Bohars, Brest, France

Dr. Marine Grandgeorge and Colleagues at the Autism Resource Center

Study: Changes in emotional development of children with pets (dogs,cats, bunny) when they were babies or when pet was introduced at age 4-5

Published in:  PLOS ONE.- August, 2012