Dog’s unconditional love brings joy to autistic children, seniors
Print Edition
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Xiao Yu, who suffers from autism, is afraid to let anyone touch his palm, even his parents. But after making a fist and pulling back many times he finally opens his hand — and timidly feeds a snack to Nila, a 7-year-old, long-haired dachsund.
She gently takes the snack and licks his hand.
At that moment, the boy smiles, jumps and shouts with pleasure.
Nila wags her tail.
This was a triumph, achieved after long efforts by teachers at the Beijing Qirui Rehabilitation Center, and by Nila, who stood by patiently.
The center helps autistic children and other children with developmental problems.
Shanghai Daily interviewed staff by telephone and e-mail.
Nila is one of eight therapy dogs that visit the center and assist — just by their presence and affection — in treating autistic and other children. They help bring children out of their shell, since many are withdrawn and reluctant to interact with anyone.
Nila and the others, including Labradors, beagles and fluffy “teddy bear” dogs, recently received work certificates to help treat children with autism and impaired vision as well as seniors suffering from depression.
They are the first batch of assistance dogs in China involved in a program of the Beijing Loving Animals Foundation and the Lao Niu Foundation. The non-profit program, launched last June, selects sweet-tempered dogs and loving owners. Both are trained for six months and certified.
There is no similar therapy animal program in Shanghai.
The practice of using dogs, cats and other animals in treatment — helping to soothe and relax people — originated overseas in the 1970s. Doctors found that when people were with pets, particularly dogs, and when they hugged or petted them, their blood pressure dropped, their stress was relieved and feelings of loneliness and depression eased.
“Dogs that have a sweet temperament and are patient, trusting and reliable are chosen,” said Lu Ping, who is with the Beijing Loving Animals Foundation.
Many dog owners wanted to participate when recruitment information was released through the program’s website (www.tajijin.cn), Weibo and Weixin (Wechat).
Selection and training of dogs and owners are rigorous. Dogs must be spayed or neutered and must be older than two. Dogs and owners must have been together for at least three months, so that they bond and understand each other. Dogs undergo tests to determine how steady they are. For example, an object might be tossed at them to see if they frighten easily or get angry. They are supposed to wait quietly for food and not gobble it up and make a mess.
“Our clients, including autistic children and depressed seniors living alone, have some trauma in their hearts and are not easy to communicate with,” Lu says.
Owners are expected to guide and help their dogs, who might at first be uncomfortable when they encounter autistic children with uncontrolled movements. Trainers are alongside to protect both people and dogs.
At least one training session per week is required over six months. Online courses are available for busy volunteers. Though many people want to help, there is a shortage of suitable dogs and owners, who may withdraw midway for various reasons. Recruitment information is released regularly.
The dogs have names such as Caituan (rice ball stuffed with vegetables) and Doubao (steamed bun stuffed with sweet bean paste).
At the Haidian Deaf Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Beijing, which uses the Loving Animal services, three dogs joined eight children.
Five-year-old Xiao Mei, the only girl, was shy and fearful of the dogs at first. The staff encouraged her to reach out and touch them.
The girl has not seen her mother for more than a month, and when other children mentioned their mothers, she wept, then fell silent.
Two dogs started licking her hands and she gradually stopped crying and started feeding them treats. Then she smiled.
Many children in residential treatment programs don’t see their parents for a long time and become sad and lonely, which makes communication difficult. Bringing them together with friendly animals is more relaxing than interaction with humans, says Lu.
Some autistic children can recognize each of the dogs and speak to them in simple sentences to express their affection.
“Just being with a friendly dog brings joy that can’t be achieved by being with a teacher,” Lu says.
At the Beijing Cuncaochunhui Seniors’ Home, an elderly man insists on walking the dog Nana, a sheltie, to the gate every time she leaves. Because of severe neck and spinal pain, he needs help to stand and walk, but he always wants to see Nana off. “I want her to remember me,” he said.
The biggest problem in China is shortage of funds and lack of professional agencies to provide training in animal therapy, says Lu.
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