In this undated photo, a children's hospital in Dalian, Liaoning province, is including animals in therapy for children with autism. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
A children's hospital in Dalian, Liaoning province, demonstrated the value of animals in therapy on Wednesday, as children interacted with two therapy dogs and two trained horses.
The activity included both autistic children and ordinary children attending early education classes or receiving a regular health examination.
In this undated photo, a children's hospital in Dalian, Liaoning province, is including animals in therapy for children with autism. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
With help from the local health commission and various support groups, a large hospital association — Dalian Women and Children's Medical Group — established the city's first practice base to provide targeted training primarily for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but also including other kids. The training blends resources from the city's social groups and nonprofit associations.
"We hope to further improve the rehabilitation treatment system for children with ASD in Dalian using local resources," said Wang Daqing, head of the group.
In this undated photo, a children's hospital in Dalian, Liaoning province, is including animals in therapy for children with autism. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
On May 22, when the program was launched, the hospital signed contracts with three institutions — the China Guide Dog Training Centre in Dalian; Dalian Laohutan Ocean Park; and a stable and equestrain club, Qingshan Huayuan.
According to Sun Jin, director of the children's health clinic of the medical group, about a dozen targeted rehabilitation training programs have been set up to provide systematic, comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation training for autistic children.
In this undated photo, a children's hospital in Dalian, Liaoning province, is including animals in therapy for children with autism. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
"Through the practice base, we will regularly organize autistic children to go into society to make contact with therapy animals and nature and to learn about different social environments," she said.
Sun said the base will also cooperate with education institutions, libraries, supermarkets and some factories to facilitate the social integration of autistic children.
