Human beings are social animals. Everybody has to face challenges in their lives. But to our dismay, it can come off as a dark chapter that can seem impossible to rise above.
Wondering what dark chapter we are talking about? The answer might be quite overwhelming, but the truth is all that we have to accept. We are talking about the lives of kids who are mentally challenged and those who have special needs.
Let’s begin with knowing what these terms exactly mean. Mentally challenged children are the ones with the neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by significantly impaired ‘intellectual and adaptive functioning, also with an IQ below 70 and in a deficit of two or more adaptive behaviour that affects every day, general living. Autism suffered by autistic children is a lifelong nonprogressive neurological disorder or developmental disability which causes hindrance in verbal and non-verbal communication and socially interactive. These are all categorized into special needs. The meanings can sound quite similar, but with a tinge of difference.
We need to understand that humans and animals are dependent on each other emotionally and mentally, especially dogs. Mongrel dogs can be considered therapy dogs for everybody out there. These dogs are also being employed as “doctors” to bring cheers to patients in some centres.
But how do these mongrel dogs help children with special needs?
Table of Contents
Provides Comfort and Relaxation
A therapy dog can never make use of words like people do. But what they are best at is providing companionship and comfort to those kids with special needs. Autistic children are sensitive to human touch and also lack primary communication. Therapy dogs can help bring that comfort to these kids to make their mind relaxed. They help release a hormone in the special kids called “cuddle hormone” which has a calming effect on the child’s nervous system. It also is beneficial and can contribute to your child’s interaction and communication skills.
Offers Safety and Protection
Every dog, including Mongrels, will always put your safety first and try to protect you in every way possible. Mentally challenged, autistic and children with special needs have restricted and repetitive behaviour which can cause harm to them. Mongrels are being trained as service dogs who can divert the child’s attention and bring them out of their repetitive behaviour. It can prevent self-harming and can also calm children with anxiety.
Manages Behavioural and Emotional Problem
Children with special needs often go through problems with behaviour due to their challenges. Therapy dogs manage a big-time with the parents to help kids with their behaviour and emotional problems. Mongrels/dogs are naturally stress-soothers and have a calming effect that can enhance positive behaviour in mentally challenged children, autistic children and children with special needs. These dogs also help children dealing with anxiety.
Develops Social Interaction
Dogs/Mongrels are a great source to bridge the gap between other people. Mentally challenged children and autistic children often find it difficult in expressing themselves. It is due to their disabilities as they impaired with social interaction. Trained dogs or therapy dogs do wonders, as they help the kids to improve their social development. They also make them learn about positive and negative reinforcement. They also are a great companion and may also trigger the kids to talk.
Improves a Child’s Learning Skill
As we know, dog’s help the kids by stimulating hormones in their brain. It also helps in improving the child’s learning skill. Children with special needs often find it difficult in learning and comprehending things. It makes it disheartening for the parents and the kids as well. But if they have therapy dogs around them. They are the dogs that help children with anxiety, are calming dogs and helper dogs. It means that they assist the child to relax and lets the kids be more comfortable following basic instructions.
Being with dogs/mongrels can boost your child’s ability. It may also develop repeated behaviour to read aloud, show photos and talk to therapeutic dogs.
Prevents Wandering
Mentally challenged and autistic children confined to places makes them wonder even more. Thus, the children are capable of getting into grieve danger. It will send a parent to a panic mode if they aren’t able to find their kids. But mongrels, who are well trained can help you track down their kids and lead you in the absolute right direction.
The aforementioned advantages are enough to put parents of children with special needs to comfort. To everyone’s amazement, dogs are now officially employed as doctors and have a job. Dog therapy is examined to be an effective program. It has become very successful in making a difference in the lives of these children.
In the year 2015, there was an article in Deccan Herald which mentioned Dr Dogs who help autistic and mentally challenged kids. Saraswathi Kendra is a learning centre for kids with disabilities. The centre had started full-fledged dog training in 2001. Back then, trained Dr Jumble, Dr Babe, Dr Moosa who ventured to give a new lease to the life of children. It turned out Dr Jumble was the world’s first mongrel, Dr Dog. Albeit this article is very old, it is certainly effective if parents lookout for such institutions that provide such training with dogs that can contribute to a better living for their children.
Conclusion
Dogs have always proved to be man’s best friend. They are not just another member of the family, but a very faithful companion for your kids, especially those with special needs. After reading the entire article, it may ring a bell to your head to adopt a mongrel/dogs which can help with great health benefits to your kids and also provide peace of mind.
