Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Despite the global recognition of the benefits of companion pet ownership, there is a lack of research exploring this phenomenon in an Arabic-speaking context such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study fills the knowledge gap by exploring the usefulness of pet ownership on the social skills, communication, emotional and physical well-being of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the UAE. The study employs a phenomenological research design, utilizing focus-group discussions with 12 mothers of children diagnosed with ASD who own pets. The parents participated in the focus group discussions to understand the usefulness of pet ownership to their children with ASD. Findings are categorized into three primary themes: enhancement of social interaction and communication skills, improvement in emotional well-being, and encouragement of physical activity. For instance, the presence of pets, especially dogs, significantly boosts social engagement and non-verbal communication, reduces anxiety and stress, and increases physical activity among children with ASD. Companion pet ownership may inform family-centered routines for children with ASD in the UAE. Future work should assess the feasibility of structured animal-assisted interventions (AAI), which are distinct from household pet ownership. • UAE parents reported companion pets aided everyday functioning of children with ASD. • Pets increased children’s social engagement, eye contact, and simple verbal exchanges. • Pet presence supported emotional regulation; parents noted calmer behavior and less anxiety. • Pet care and play boosted physical activity and structured daily routines at home. • Families wove pet care into home routines that support social, emotional, and activity goals.
Almarzooqi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.