COMMENTARY | Could time with dogs be the support children diagnosed with ADHD need? Assistant clinical professor of pediatrics, Sabrina Schuck, has been conducting research with therapy dogs and young children in order to find support for her theory as an article in UC Irvine’s website explains.
Schuck is trying to determine if dogs can help children learn to act appropriately in social situations. Along with her fellow researchers, she is attempting to see if animal-assisted therapy yields longer lasting results than other conditioning treatment plans.
Started in June 2010, this four-year study is being conducted at the UC Irvine Child Development Center and involves a test group of children engaged in animal-assisted therapy. According to the UC Irvine Child Development website, Shuck takes the children through a social skills session twice a week, using positive affirmation and one-on-on time with one of the specially-trained pet therapy dogs. “We tell them when they’re doing things right constantly [because] these kids need more positive feedback than other students,” said Shuck.
More than just an observation, the $2.2 million study maintains scientific integrity. In addition to the test group, a control group of children, also diagnosed with ADHD is taken through the same social skills sessions and given positive affirmation. The main difference between the two groups is that the test group has one-on-one time with a dog, while the control group is given a stuffed animal to cuddle instead.
As you may already know, children with ADHD tend to have short attention spans, often have trouble following directions and can be forgetful, according to WebMD. Medication is typically suggested for children with this problem in hopes to curb the symptoms. With that said, all children are different.
Although all the children in the study have ADHD, they are also unique. For this reason they have a choice of which dog to play when given their reward. “We believe there are dog personalities that attract certain human personalities, and we provide three different types,” Shuck said. Some choose the big old, docile retriever, others ask for one of the more playful dogs.
While the study is not yet over, the benefits of the study have already become apparent. Even though the children are not under the influence of medication, either by parental choice, or for health reasons, the dogs are having a calming effect on the children. The more the children participate, the more time they have to spend with the dogs. This positive reward system is lowering stress on the child and in turn the entire family system.
Man’s best friend is turning out to be a child’s best alternative to ADHD drugs.