Therapy animals and service dogs for individuals with IDD
- Sam Shepherd
- Sep 28
- 4 min read
By Sigrid Wang
Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are lifelong conditions that begin during the developmental period and affect intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior and social participation. Because of their complexity, treatment often requires a long-term and individualized plan. While psychotropic medication may help stabilize symptoms, research shows that medication alone is insufficient. A more effective strategy is an interdisciplinary approach that combines pharmacological treatment with behavioral and cognitive-behavioral interventions [3].
Building on this model, recent perspectives emphasize the value of complementary supports that go beyond traditional medical and behavioral care. Among these, animal-assisted interventions particularly the use of therapy animals and service dogs have emerged as meaningful additions to offer emotional, behavioral and social benefits.
Therapy animals and service dogs
As early as 1792, a mental asylum in England introduced small animals such as rabbits and poultry to encourage patients to interact with other living beings. Beyond providing simple pleasure, these interactions were observed to awaken social responsiveness and benevolent feelings in patients [2]. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, animals had become recognized as a meaningful part of psychiatric and rehabilitative care.
In a 1989 study, researchers concluded that the presence of a dog in therapy sessions could significantly influence the behavior of autistic children. Children who interacted with therapy dogs showed noticeable reductions in stereotypical behaviors such as humming, spinning objects, or repetitive jumping [6]. This suggests that service dogs as a therapy animal can not only provide comfort but also play an active role in modifying behavior.
Service animals also extend beyond the well-known service dogs. For example, miniature horses are increasingly used due to their wide field of vision and long life span. As for elderly individuals, they may benefit from interaction with birds, while children might engage more positively with dogs [4]. Matching animals to individuals’ needs is critical in animal therapy.
How they help
Dr. Temple Grandin, the well-known author and animal scientist who herself is on the autism spectrum, observed that many autistic individuals are primarily visually oriented rather than word-oriented. This means that they process and remember the world more through images and sensory impressions than through language. Dogs, in a similar way, rely heavily on sights, sounds and smells to understand their surroundings. Because of this shared mode of perception, Grandin argues, dogs are able to relate more naturally to people whose strengths lie in sensory rather than verbal processing [1].
Emotional support
Animals can play a vital role in reducing stress and promoting emotional stability. Interacting with a therapy dog, for example, has been shown to trigger neurophysiological changes, such as lowering cortisol levels and increasing oxytocin release, which contribute to relaxation and reduced anxiety [5]. Beyond these measurable biological effects, animals also provide a calming presence and unconditional comfort, making it easier for individuals with IDD to regulate their emotions during stressful situations [1].
Behavioral assistance
Therapy animals, especially service dogs, can be trained to help manage daily routines or interrupt harmful behaviors. For example, a service dog might nudge to stop self-injury, provide calming pressure during agitation or guide a person back to safety.
Social interaction
For individuals who struggle with initiating or sustaining conversations, animals can act as social bridges. A therapy dog may draw others into interaction, making it easier for the person with IDD to engage in shared activities and conversations. In some clinics, animals are also used to make visits feel less intimidating. For instance, parents may tell a child they are “going to see the dog” rather than “going to the doctor,” which helps the child feel more relaxed and willing to interact with the therapist [2].
Self-esteem building
Equally important is the emotional bond animals offer. Because therapy animals provide nonjudgmental acceptance, they can help individuals who experience stigma or social isolation build a stronger sense of self-worth. The steady affection and loyalty of a service dog reinforce feelings of being valued, which can enhance confidence and support the development of identity and belonging.
Ethical concerns
During animal therapies, ethical issues should also be considered about and addressed, which mainly reflected on the treatment towards animals. These issues vary greatly according to the institutional setting or knowledge and experience of the animal handler. For example, in some nursing homes, room temperatures are often kept higher to ensure the comfort of the elderly residents. However, these warmer environments may not be suitable for the visiting dogs. This mismatch highlights the importance of balancing the needs of human patients with the welfare of animals.
Practical concerns also arise with different species. Cats may become anxious during transportation. Parrots and other birds require not only physical care but also sustained emotional and social attention. [7] Species-specific accommodations and ongoing monitoring are essential to ensure their own welfare and also the participation in therapy.
Conclusion
Therapy animals and service dogs provide huge emotional, behavioral and social benefits to individuals with IDD. However, we should realize that animal therapy is very different from psychological counseling or medical treatment of patients. The animals are voiceless for their own needs in this case. Therefore, it is incumbent to ensure that their physical well-being and emotional health are always considered and addressed. A formal code of ethics should be developed and balance patient benefits with animal welfare. In this way, therapy animals and service dogs can continue to enrich lives while being treated with the dignity they deserve.
Reference
[1] Altschiller, D. (2011). Animal-assisted therapy. Greenwood.
[2] Fine, Aubrey H. (2006). Handbook of Animal-Assisted Therapy. San Diego: Academic Press.
[3] Hassiotis, A. A., & Hall, I. (2008). Behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions for outwardly-directed aggressive behaviour in people with learning disabilities. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 16 (3), CD003406.
[4] Katcher, A. H. and Beck, A. (1983) New Perspectives on our lives with companion animals. (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press), 295.
[5] Odendaal, J. S. J., & Meintjes, R. A. (2003). Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. The Veterinary Journal, 165(3), 296–301.
[6] Pavlides, M. (2008) Animal-assisted interventions for individuals with autism. P.75–76.
[7]Serpell, J. A., Coppinger, R. and Fine, H. (2006) “Welfare considerations in therapy and assistance animals.” In Fine (ed.) Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice, 458
