Guinea Pigs Are Autistic Child’s Best Friend

[LisaAli]

We thought we'd share this article from Texas Rustlers Guinea Pig FB page.

Although we don't support the keeping of Guinea Pigs as permanent Class pets, the article below clearly shows benefits in the improvement of temperament and concentration levels due to interaction with guinea pigs. We suppose if an experienced "guinea pig person" and guinea pigs with the right character were put together there may be a place for guinea pigs and children in this environment.

We'd just like to say we are keeping an open mind on this and would welcome any comments good or bad from you all.

Lisa & Ali...x

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/29/guinea-pigs-are-autistic-childs-best-friend/?_r=2

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

That's amazing. Stroking an animal is really therapeutic

 

[Galaxy&nibbles]

I find being with animals relaxes me and makes me feel less anxious and happy when I'm feeling down! I would much rather be with animals than humans

 

[Flutterby]

Aww! SO lovely!

 

[Freela]

Awww! That made me tear up a bit. I know that the relationship between my pigs and my kids (particularly the youngest) is really beautiful. She just loves them so much. Even my middle child, who is the least interested in the animals, always checks their water levels and gives them hay, as she is the one who is usually up earliest. I can see firsthand how positive an experience having our pigs is good for the kids.

My first guinea pig experience was a classroom pet called Caramel... I still remember her fondly. I don't think it's bad to expose kids to pets at school, provided the needs of the animals is met and the safety/comfort of the animal is safeguarded.

 

[Wigwig]

Thats nice, they havent encountered Archie though. He is a terrible bully (of humans and a sweet cockatiel), very judgmental and has a clear favorite (me). Not suitable for autistic kids lol. Animals are right bullies if they know they can get away with it.

 

[Freela]

Thats nice, they havent encountered Archie though. He is a terrible bully (of humans and a sweet cockatiel), very judgmental and has a clear favorite (me). Not suitable for autistic kids lol. Animals are right bullies if they know they can get away with it.

This is a good caveat... not every animal is cut out for this kind of 'therapy animal' role. I've also had some guinea pigs who would simply not have done well in this kind of setting... not for the kids involved either! Frenzy, for instance, was very fearful of men (all of them- something to do with the deeper voice, I think) and was generally skittish around people she didn't know well (and by well, I mean people she interacted with every single day repeatedly- me and the kids, basically. Even regular visitors/pigsitters were not in her comfort zone.) However, I've had other pigs who would have been great in this role... Linney particularly. She loved people and basically would just flop on their laps and go to sleep. My youngest always described her as her best friend. Hadley is very good too, though she has a tendency to want to wander off and explore more than Linney ever did. I have sometimes considered looking into the process for therapy pets in my area, but due to the kids and my job I don't have a lot of time. I would look into it when the kids are older though, especially when my kids hit high school and have community services requirements for school.