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Four-Legged Workers: An Evidence-Based Resource for Individuals with Autism and their Families

Posted on July 22, 2026

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  • Tyana Pierce, M.Ed., Sarah Mallory, Ph.D.
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Service animals are working animals that are trained to perform tasks that assist an individual’s disability or need for assistance (Winkle et al., 2011). Studies found that having service animals showed improvements in sleep behaviors, child and family moods, and stronger bonds within the family unit (Leighton et al., 2023; Rodriguez et al., 2024).

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