— by Julia Garstecki
Special Needs and Pets
Getting laughed at. Being ignored.
Hearing about a party
after the fact. Trying to be
“one of them” only to fall short over and
over again. People staring. Humans aren’t
always kind. Life with a disability can be
cold, lonely, and difficult. Fortunately, the
world isn’t made only of people.
Pamela Rose, an animal expert in
Western New York, works with many
families to find the perfect pet. She also
works with animal therapy. She understands
why families which include people
with disabilities would want a pet. She
says, “Animals don’t care about popularity
or strange behaviors. An animal is going
to accept a person for their entire being,
without judgment. Time with animals
can create a safe space where a person can
be themselves without penalty.”
Studies have shown pets have a
positive outcome for children with disabilities
such as Autism. These studies
focused on “furry animals.” Anxiety and
frustration levels were reduced when animals
were present. Additionally, social
interactions were more positive. There
could be many reasons for the positive
results. Some include the increased activity
of walking and playing with the
pet. Also, the responsibility of taking
care of the animal can lead to increased
confidence for a person with a disability.
38 WNY Family July 2020
And, socializing whether it’s talking to or
relaxing with the dog can reduce stress.
A Service Dog or
Just A… Dog?
Service dogs are truly incredible.
They guide people through busy city
streets, prevent wanderers from leaving a
house, and can even detect low blood sugar.
Therapy dogs are well trained for specific
purposes. This training comes with a
hefty price tag. Autism Service Dogs of
America says service dogs can cost more
than $10,000. For people with disabilities
who don’t require a trained service animal,
a pet can still be beneficial.
Things To Consider
When helping a family choose the
just right pet, Ms. Rose has several suggestions.
Family members must be realistic
about time, finances, allergies, and
lifestyle. Rose also points out owners
need to understand what the animal will
need to thrive so it can provide the very
best interaction. She asks families many
questions when they are considering a
pet. Some include:
• Will the animal need a special
habitat?
• How much additional expense
will the animal cost the family?
• What will the animal eat, and who
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will feed it? For example, a snake
eats only once a week, but does it
eat live or frozen prey? Who will
feed it?
• What kind of exercise will the
animal require?
• Most of all, who will be responsible
for the animal’s care?
Parrots are becoming increasingly
common therapy animals. Parrots have
been known to self-harm by plucking
out their feathers during periods of
anxiety or depression. Humans struggling
with anxiety can identify with the
birds, and in the process of helping the
bird they also help themselves. After
working with a veterinarian, owners of
the anxious birds help train their feathered
friend to get proper sleep, provide
a healthy habitat, and provide plenty of
good food and exercise. The idea is that
this behavior can transfer to the human
providing the caretaking.
Reptiles, especially snakes, are a
great alternative for someone with allergies
to fur or dander. Though snakes
still require care and attention, they need
less time and attention than furrier pets.
Snakes can be either shy or outgoing, and
many actually interact with its owner.
What If You
Can’t Own A Pet?
The healing power of animals is still
an option even when a family cannot
adopt their own. Audubon Societies are
excellent places to spend time. In fact,
the national message of the Audubon
Society is to include all people with varied
lives and perspectives, because this
reflects the diversity seen in nature. It’s
a wonderful place to watch birds, squir-