A Special Bond between Animals and Disabled Humans

Animals can be mysterious and unpredictable, but more and more animal behaviorists and others who work regularly with our nonhuman fellow beings are finding that many seem to have a special rapport with mentally or physically disabled people. Dogs and cats are regularly brought into hospitals and nursing homes to provide a welcome respite from the institutional setting of such places; dogs have also gone beyond acting as seeing-eye dogs for the blind to performing simple tasks for paraplegic and quadriplegic individuals, providing them with the ability to live much more independently.

And horses are getting into the act, too. Therapeutic riding programs are cropping up around the country for both children and adults who suffer from a range of health issues including autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities and physical problems ranging from cerebral palsy to paralysis. The horses involved in the programs are undoubtedly chosen for their temperament, but beyond their native friendliness, they seem to have an innate understanding that they are dealing with people who are wounded, and who need extra patience and care. The empathy that these horses can show for their riders is remarkable, and the benefit to the riders is unmistakable.

As these programs become more popular, the opportunity for volunteers to become involved is growing. McDaniel College, a small, private college in Maryland, encourages students to participate in a local 4-H based 10 week therapeutic riding program each year, an opportunity the students enjoy.

These programs provide a much needed opportunity for disabled children and adults to become involved in an activity that adds meaning to their lives, but beyond that, it gives all of us a glimpse into the minds of these animals. It is becoming apparent that dogs, cats, horses, and other nonhuman beings have a remarkable capacity for patience, compassion, kindness, and understanding. These programs may make it necessary for all of us to rethink our own understanding of and relationship with the rest of the natural world.