Hi Dale I am a Research Fellow in Disability and Inclusion at The University of Melbourne. We have a research project currently running in Victoria that is researching the use of assistance/therapy dogs with people with young onset dementia. While this is not specifically autism obviously, we are having to look at much of the similar literature, and I am in the early stages of a metastudy that I will be working on over the next couple of weeks. Since we are both based in Victoria, would you be interested in catching up over the next few weeks to have a chat? We are very interested to keep in close contact with the disability and carer communities, and strongly support co-research. The NDIS is surely a challenge, and a united front is very important! We are eager to get research out there as soon as possible, but there is a small amount of research around (both with dogs and horses specifically). I also have contacts with a number of people who are using horses with children, including with autism, and am a trained Equine Assisted Therapist, so my interest is in that area too. My best email is [log in to unmask], and I can be called on 0439 671 336. I will be out of range today, but I will give you a call tomorrow. Regards Genee Marks Research Fellow in Disability and Inclusion The University of Melbourne ________________________________ From: The Disability-Research Discussion List [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Narelle Warren [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Wednesday, 11 January 2017 11:43 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: FW: Anyone know of or conducting research into assistance animals? Hi, I believe Olga Solomon has worked in this area: reference is below. Pauleen Bennett has also done a lot of work on human-animal relationships: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/psychology/staff/profile?uname=P2Bennett Kind regards, Narelle Solomon, O. (2010). What a dog can do: Children with autism and therapy dogs in social interaction. Ethos, 38(1), 143-166. -- NARELLE WARREN PhD School of Social Sciences Faculty of Arts Level 4, 20 Chancellors Walk (Menzies Building) Clayton Campus Monash University VIC 3800 Australia T: + 61 3 9903 4046 E: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> You can also find me on the web at: http://profiles.arts.monash.edu.au/narelle-warren/ http://monash.academia.edu/NarelleWarren http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Narelle_Warren2 ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2623-4078 We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, and Elders past and present, of all the lands on which Monash University operates. On 11 January 2017 at 23:38, Dreaves, Hilary <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: And here is a link to her publications list, including a SR of the literature …. https://www.vet.purdue.edu/directory/person.php?id=684#Sele Best Hilary Dreaves From: Dreaves, Hilary Sent: 11 January 2017 12:19 To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: FW: Anyone know of or conducting research into assistance animals? Hi, I cannot add anything at all myself, but here is a lead that should be easily traceable/Google etc, I would have thought … “Maggie (Marguerite) O’Haire at Purdue is the world expert in this and has published studies on the effects of animals on autistic children”. Best Hilary Dreaves Research Fellow (Health Impact Assessment) Department of Public Health and Policy Institute of Psychology, Health and Society University of Liverpool L69 3GB Tel: +44(0)151-794 5303<tel:+44%20151%20794%205303> (direct) Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Web: www.healthimpactassessment.co.uk<http://www.healthimpactassessment.co.uk> Skype: hilary.dreaves1 Urban HIA Guide (UrHIA) 2015 Department of Public Health and Policy is a WHO Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on the Social Determinants of Health Equity From: The Disability-Research Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tanvir Bush Sent: 11 January 2017 11:43 To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Anyone know of or conducting research into assistance animals? Hi Dale, have you come across this wonderful group? http://www.horseboyfoundation.org.uk/ All best, Tanvir Dr Tanvir Bush Novelist and researcher Tel: 01249 322043 On 11 Jan 2017, at 11:16, Dale Reardon <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: Hi, I am particularly interested in whether anyone knows of, or conducting research into, the benefit of therapy / assistance animals to people with autism, particularly children. The NDIS is rolling out in Australia and I cannot recall whether I have heard officially or just anecdotally that the NDIS will not fund therapy / assistance animals for people with autism because there is no research to prove / establish their benefit. I have read many articles and blog posts of their tremendous benefit to children with autism and hope that this has been formalised into research. If no research exists, then it would be a great area to get a grant for as there is a huge potential demand. Dale. Dale Reardon Founder, My Disability Matters<https://mydisabilitymatters.club/> The new social network for the Disability Community Friends, family, carers and businesses welcome Phone: 03 6286 7305 | 0420 277 457 | Skype: dale.reardon Twitter: @audisability<https://www.twitter.com/audisability> | Linkedin<http://au.linkedin.com/in/dalereardon> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/mydisabilitymatters> ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies<http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies>). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html<http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html> You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page. ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies<http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies>). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html<http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html> You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page. ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies<http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies>). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html<http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html> You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page. ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html<http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html> You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page. ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.