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Therapeutic Horseback Riding Crossover Effects of Attachment Behaviors with Family Pets in a Sample of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Author

Listed:
  • Jessie D. Petty

    (Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Zhaoxing Pan

    (Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Briar Dechant

    (Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

  • Robin L. Gabriels

    (Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13123 E. 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
    Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA)

Abstract

The unique needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have implications for animal welfare. This nested pilot study examined the effects of a randomized trial of 10-week therapeutic horseback riding (THR) intervention versus a no-horse barn activity (BA) control group on children’s behaviors with family pets. Sixty-seven (THR n = 31; BA n = 36) participants with ASD (ages 6–16 years) with one or more family pet, were enrolled from a larger trial ( n = 116) following their randomization to intervention groups, stratified by nonverbal intellectual ability. A consistent caregiver completed questionnaires about participants’ interactions with their household pets pre- and post-intervention. Caregivers of THR group participants reported significant improvements in participants’ caring actions with the family pet compared with the BA group ( p = 0.013; effect size = 0.74). Engaging with horses during a standard THR intervention protocol may generalize to improving caring actions toward family pets in children and adolescents with ASD.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessie D. Petty & Zhaoxing Pan & Briar Dechant & Robin L. Gabriels, 2017. "Therapeutic Horseback Riding Crossover Effects of Attachment Behaviors with Family Pets in a Sample of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-6, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:3:p:256-:d:92077
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    Cited by:

    1. Gabriele Schwarzmueller-Erber & Manfred Maier & Michael Kundi, 2020. "Pet Attachment and Wellbeing of Older-Aged Recreational Horseback Riders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Aubrey H. Fine & Alan M. Beck & Zenithson Ng, 2019. "The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues That Will Shape the Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-19, October.

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