PAWS member Lisa Lightner recently wrote an article about how therapy dogs can help to assist with a child's learning and functioning.
"Basic pet therapy is the discipline that most people think of when you mention, well, pet therapy. It involves a trained animal, not just dogs — cats, rabbits and many other types of pets are now being used. And a handler of course. Depending on their certification and the organization they work with, what they have been trained to do will vary.
This therapy is basically just a visit. The handler takes the pet to a facility, and either in a large group or 1:1 setting, the participants get to visit with the animal and the handler. This can be a great option for your child with special needs, particularly if you are not equipped in your household to own a pet or you have another family member with allergies."