Animals and special needs people

[Wolfdog91 7,265]

Was talking about this and wanted to see if y'all have seen similar.

Seems a lot of animals act different around special needs people. Like my older brother is pretty far in the autism spectrum. Semi non verbal, and I'm not sure what all the other whatever would be to classify him, but he's 30 with lieka 3yr old mental capacity in most aspects. That being said he feeds the farm animals, does yard work and Even fishes by himself for the most part. Has his own lil schedule and way of doing things .. anyhow, noticed a long time ago, animals tend to act different towards him. Just in general horses and cow just seems a lot less skittish of him, even ones he's never had contact with, and dogs are a bit wary but generally pretty chill. Even dogs who kinda freak out around people ( we have a few we adopted that have ..less then good experiences with people and usually won't let you get within 5' of them) will look him up and down and just seem not that worried.

My other lil nephew is about on the same deal and noticed the families dog tends to let him get away with a lot more then my other nephew. I've seen it too with horses at fairs when they have like a special needs deal going. You can tell by their body language something is up the way they interact with the kids with down syndrome, autism ect vs a average person.... Idk I know animals will pick up on your whatever ( there's actually science backing that up , pheromones, body language and the like) but what about handi caps ?
Anyone see similar?

[mackem 27,029]

8 minutes ago, Wolfdog91 said:

down syndrome

Useless fact but chimpanzee can also be born with their version of Down syndrome Trisomy 22.

[Councilestatekid 1,925]

My mate has a disabled son he got him a little dog to see if the little lad interacts with it well ever since pup dogs not left little lads side even goes to his special school now with him as became destructive in the house when he started goin. walks everywhere with him without a lead but when his mum n dad take it out wi out him totally different dog they can't let it off the lead 

[gnipper 6,509]

I don't know about special needs people but I've seen dogs act a lot differently around frail people and children like they know they should be gentle with them instinctively. 

[tatsblisters 10,077]

My old lurcher I had was always a bit wary around my eldest grandson who has autism though their own dog is fine with him. 

[EDDIE B 3,166]

Terrier here is totally different around my young lad,who has Autism. Will sit beside him, or lie under him, when he's on the swing. 

Decided to get a pup for the child two years ago. Indoors dog. Turned out to be a complete b*****d of a yoke. Pure hyper little shit, and the young lad wants nothing to do with him. The wife recons the bloody dog is more autistic than the child.

[mushroom 13,186]

2 hours ago, gnipper said:

I don't know about special needs people but I've seen dogs act a lot differently around frail people and children like they know they should be gentle with them instinctively. 

Definitely! All of my dogs have been completely different when around my mum. The staffy used to take my dad to the pub and home again ffs (blind as a bat he was) lol.

There's a little girl in the barrio where I live and she obviously has some issues and is very hyper and scatty. I've noticed Bron being calm and patient with her, which in itself isn't unusual for him and kids but with this little girl he seems to be extra careful and patient around her. Let's her fuss him etc and never moves even though he's looking at me as if to say "fuucking rescue me then"...... Nope!

[WILF 47,353]

Yep, my youngest has a real affinity with animals…..they calm each other from what I can make out.

 

[downsouth 7,356]

3 hours ago, WILF said:

Yep, my youngest has a real affinity with animals…..they calm each other from what I can make out.

 

My girl is the same mate.Selective mute with all but a handful of people.This is round my pals house,Shes known them for years and the most they can get from her is a nod or shake of her head.But their dogs and her are inseparable from the second we walk through the door.Her school got her a counsellor who comes in once a week who brings a dog in.They couldn't believe the progress that can be made just by letting her have a dog to stroke and fuss over.

[jukel123 8,397]

I think animals can sense that certain people have no side / ulterior motive to them. Most  'normal' people have a thousand different faces and motives, most of them not very pleasant. Animals suss out that certain people are the real deal and they can relate to them better.

I prefer the company of basically one dimensional people. What you see is what you get. Doesn't matter if they have a low IQ or a problem. They make for relaxing company.