Training Gryffin

Author: Allison Reichel | Major: Nursing | Semester: Spring 2023

In the Fall 2023 semester, I began performing research in the Nursing department under my mentor Dr. Michele Kilmer. The overall goal of the research is to analyze how the implementation of an autism assistance dog in autism assistance therapy (AAT) can impact children with autism. My specific goal is to analyze the differences the impact is among age groups.

As I was wrapping up my freshman year in the Spring of 2021, I was told I should apply to be a part of the fellowship at 99 Balloons, an NWA based non-profit organization that aims to make communities more inclusive for those experiencing disability. When I started the position in Fall 2021, my eyes were opened to a community that had so much to offer and I had so much to learn from. As I continued to learn more and more about disability, I wanted to know how I could be doing more, and I was curious how I could combine this with what I was learning in nursing school. In Fall 2022, I saw Dr. Kilmer present her current research with Gryffin, a black lab who is being trained to be an autism assistance dog, and I knew that I wanted to try and be a part of her work.

I began working with Dr. Kilmer in Spring 2023. To start off the semester, I spent a couple of weeks working with Gryffin so we could practice working together and work on furthering some of his training as well. Next, I worked with Gryffin during AAT sessions. During these sessions, Gryffin was used as an intermediary to help AAT participants cultivate prosocial behaviors. It was incredible to see participants take big steps in AAT through their interactions with Gryffin. Once we wrapped up AAT sessions, I began to prepare for data collection and analysis. I learned how to utilize the Johns Hopkins University 3 AAT Ethogram to analyze human-canine interactions during AAT sessions. I also became certified to use the O’HAIRE Behavior Coding for Human-Animal Interaction Research System to analyze human-animal bonding.

In addition to working with Gryffin this semester, I also worked on my research proposal. While reviewing the current literature, I found that utilizing animals in AAT is relatively new. The research shows that animal-assisted AAT is shown to have positive effects on the participants. Although promising, there is very little research done animal-assisted AAT. Additionally, there are no set parameters and guidelines on how AAT with animals should be performed for it to be beneficial for both the AAT participants and the animals involved.

Through this Honors College Research Grant, I have been able to combine my passion for making meaningful change and my love for nursing-based science. I am excited to continue working with Dr. Kilmer and Gryffin as we continue AAT sessions and begin to analyze our findings.