Children with autism may benefit from having a service dog

Dogs have long held the distinction of man's best friend, and many studies are now revealing that they can be a powerful therapeutic strategy for children with autism, according to USA Today.

A couple from the town of Unalakleet, Alaska - which is bordered by the Bering Sea - were concerned about their 10-year-old son, Logan. They were afraid of leaving him alone due to the dangerous proximity of the ocean until they heard about a program called 4 Paws for Ability.

This initiative is based near Dayton, Ohio and has been making connections between loving therapy dogs and the children who need them for many years. Through the program, Logan received a loyal friend in the form of Juke, a yellow Labrador Retriever, who is trained to track the boy by scent.

The child's parents realized how dogs had a calming effect on him when they took him to see a family friend who had participated in the Iditarod dog sled race with her canine companion.

According to NewsChief.com, a little girl by the name of Kathryn also benefited from an autism service dog. The community in which she and her family lived helped them raise $13,000 toward acquiring a golden retriever.