In the past few years some young people with FASD have begun using psychiatric service dogs with good results. The dogs both protect children and calm them. They can be trained to meet a specific child’s individual needs. For example, a service dog can deter a teenager from self-harming and running away. They can keep an overly trusting FASD-affected child safe from traffic and from stranger danger. The dog basically serves as a kind of "external brain."
Besides guarding a child’s physical safety, the dog’s
natural affection can help improve a child's self-awareness, personal identity, and emotional health. The service dog’s attentive presence and
cuddly weight can help calm a distraught child. Their unconditional love has improved general emotional well-being and empathy for others. Language usage, focus, and
attention span have all been reported to have improved in individual children thanks to
the bond with their service dog.
More about FASD service dogs:
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