New research is finding that animals may help children with special needs relate with other people, as visitors to the Barn at Spring Brook Farm in West Chester are discovering, writes Rita Giordano for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Sabrina Opstbaum was one of the parents skeptical about the animal-assisted intervention program when she took her daughter Reegan to the farm two years ago. Like many children on the autism spectrum, Reegan did not seem to connect with other people, but always enjoyed spending time with animals.

Now, after weekly visits and summer camp with Annabelle the goat, Sugar the sheep, and their many barnyard friends, Reegan, 8, has changed.

“She’s in a calm mood when she’s there, and it even carries over into school the next day, sometimes two days after,” said Opstbaum.

Reegan is not the only child to see the benefits of interacting with animals. Many studies have shown that animal-assisted interventions increase social interaction and decrease anxiety for children with autism.

“With people, we’re always placing demands,” Opstbaum said. “With animals, they’re not asking for anything.”

Read more about the program in the Philadelphia Inquirer here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the Barn at Spring Brook Farm here.