Children with autism benefit from having trained dogs, says report

Children with autism can benefit from having a specially-trained dog — and the Government should ensure that more resources go into providing them, according to the author of a new medical study.

Researchers at UCC say they have proven that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can benefit from having a dog, particularly at a young age.

Lead researcher, Dr Louise Burgoyne of UCC’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, said there was “huge merit” in the State providing more resources to provide the specially-trained dogs.