How to get a service dog for my autistic child
Assistance Dog Information | Autism Speaks
Service dogs have been found to be very beneficial for some children and adults with autism. Autism Speaks has put together a list of resources to help you learn more about service dogs and connect you with organizations that may be able to help you and your family find a service dog that is right for you.
Service Dog Organizations
4 Paws for Ability
4 Paws for Ability is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of children with disabilities and veterans by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs. This provides increased independence for the children and assistance to their families. 4 Paws for Ability also helps educate the public regarding use of service dogs in public places.
Autism Service Dogs of America
Our mission at Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) is to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals living with autism, and their families, by providing exceptionally well trained service dogs. Our service dogs provide physical safety and an emotional anchor for children with autism.
Assistance Dogs International
Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is a coalition of not for profit assistance dog organizations. The purpose of ADI is to improve the areas of training, placement, and utilization of assistance dogs, staff and volunteer education, as well as educating the public about assistance dogs, and advocating for the legal rights of people with disabilities partnered with assistance dogs.
Blessings Unleashed
Blessings Unleashed is a national life-changing program that turns rescue dogs into heroes for children with autism. Our mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with autism by training and placing highly skilled service dogs. We accomplish this by properly training select rescue dogs for their future individualized task and educating recipients to utilize and care for their service dog.
Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.
Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs, and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship.
Custom Canines Service Dog Academy
Custom Canines Service Dog Academy is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization of volunteer professionals and individuals who embrace the endeavor of creating and supporting lasting partnerships between highly skilled service dogs and the community of mankind with diverse impairments and disabilities, thus greatly enhancing their quality of life. The dogs of Custom Canines are placed with their human partners at no cost.
Informational Blogs and News Items
7 tips for getting a service dog for an autistic child
from Autism Daily Newscast
Service dog or therapy dog: Which is best for a child with autism?
from Autism Speaks
Autism and pets: More evidence of social benefits
from Disability Scoop
The Therapeutic Power of Pets for Children with Autism
from Stages Learning
Lending a paw: 'Chester the Super Hero Dog'
from Arkansas Online
Autistic child's family raises money for service dog
from the Natchez Democrat
SERVICE DOGS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Service Dogs for Children with Autism act as constant companions to children with autism to help them improve social interactions and relationships, expand verbal and nonverbal communication, teach life skills, increase interest in activities and decrease stress within the family.
A PAWS Dog doesn’t pass judgment, but breaks into the world of autism and becomes a crucial part of the family’s life.
In an effort to better meet the needs of our future and current clients PAWS has an annual application acceptance policy. The online application will become available on January 10.
If you are currently a PAWS Client and are interested in receiving a successor dog please contact our Client Services Department at 616-877-7297.
QUALIFICATION
INFO
Determine if you qualify for a PAWS Dog for Autism
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WHAT
TO EXPECT
Learn what to expect with a PAWS Dog for Autism
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ASSISTANCE
DOG FAQ
Frequently asked questions about PAWS Dog for Autism
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ELLIOT AND
LEWIS’S STORY
LEWIS helps Elliot and his family sleep peacefully
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FOR PAWS DOG
Applications will open January 10
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ONLINE
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ELLIOT AND LEWIS’S STORY
“Elliot willingly goes to bed now with LEWIS, who models for Elliot how to relax.
LEWIS sleeps in bed right next to Elliot and now he pets LEWIS and soothes himself back to sleep when he wakes in the middle of the night. Because of LEWIS, we are sleeping with a peace that’s eluded us for years.”
– Daniel, Parent of PAWS Service Dogs for Children with Autism Client
Daniel and Dorene Taylor have two young boys – Elliot, who’s seven, and Owen, who’s nearly six. Parents, especially those with little ones, know that a sleepless night now and then is “normal.” But the Taylors’ son Elliot has autism and that makes for a very different “normal.”
Daniel explained, “Bedtime in our house was a constant struggle. We would often have to hold Elliot to help his body shut down at night. He’d wake up at the slightest noise and then Dorene or I would have to go lay down with him so he’d go back to sleep.”
The frequent restless nights easily fed into difficult mornings getting Elliot up and regular tantrums from him during the day.
Both Daniel and Dorene have worked in the Special Education field, so they were more prepared than many to accommodate Elliot’s needs.
Even then, stress was inevitable. It was a chance encounter with a stranger a few months after Elliot’s diagnosis that spurred Daniel to investigate Service Dogs for Children with Autism (SDA).
His search quickly led him to PAWS. The family applied and was accepted into our SDA pilot program and they recently welcomed home LEWIS, a mixed Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever.
Almost immediately, Daniel shared, life was different. “It seems ironic to say a two-year-old Lab is bringing calm to a home, but he truly is. The relationship that’s forming between Elliot and LEWIS is remarkable to see. Elliot willingly goes to bed now with LEWIS, who models for Elliot how to relax. LEWIS knows that at the end of the day when it is dark outside and playtime and work time is done, we should be laying down to rest. LEWIS sleeps in bed right next to Elliot and now he pets LEWIS and soothes himself back to sleep when he wakes in the middle of the night. Because of LEWIS, Dorene and I are sleeping with a peace that’s eluded us for years.
”
In the morning, Daniel typically takes LEWIS outside, plays with him and practices commands. The tasks may be simple, but their effect has been profound: “I’m finding that when LEWIS and I get that time together in the morning, I am a better person to my wife and sons,” Daniel said.
“In my work,” he continued, “I’ve often seen families split up from the unimaginable stress of raising kids with special needs. I know Elliot is benefiting from having LEWIS in a whole host of ways. Believe me when I say that if a dog can strengthen a family, help a husband love his wife and both of them to love their children well, then that dog has done the most important work there is. To everyone at PAWS who never get thanked enough, here is another believer in the work you do.”
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QUALIFICATION INFORMATION
To be eligible for a PAWS Service Dog, an individual must:
- Be 4-12 years old: application received by 7th birthday; needs assessment completed by 9th birthday; placement prior to 12th birthday
- Be in an ongoing education program
- Be in a speech, physical, occupational or recreational therapy program
- Can be a “runner”
- Have excellent family support
- Have a parent or guardian trained as a facilitator; sibling facilitators need to be 18 years or older.
Please note that in a two-parent household both parents are required to attend two, three-hour training classes prior to the placement of the dog, in most cases these trainings will be within your home. - Have the ability to train with their dog a minimum of one hour a day during team training
- Have no other dog in the home (can have other animals)
- Live in an area serviced by a PAWS Field Rep (determined upon application)
If the applicant is younger than PAWS’ minimum age, visit www.assistancedogsinternational.org for a list of other ADI programs that may train for younger children.
While Paws With A Cause has established eligibility criterion for the types of Assistance Dogs we provide, we do not discriminate against any applicant based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age, nationality, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military service status or any other consideration as indicated by federal, state or local laws.
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APPLICANT FAQ
What types of dogs does PAWS use?
How does PAWS get the dogs they train to be Assistance Dogs?
Can PAWS train a client’s own dog to be their Assistance Dog?
What tasks are PAWS Dogs trained to do?
What tasks are PAWS Dogs NOT trained to do?
Who is eligible to apply for a PAWS Dog?
What are the age requirements to apply?
How much does it cost?
How long is the application process?
I completed the application process, but haven’t been matched to a dog yet. Why?
What if I have other pets in my home?
How old are the dogs when the clients receive them?
What are the responsibilities of the client who receives a PAWS Assistance Dog?
Can Assistance Dogs live in apartments and go in public places?
What types of dogs does PAWS use?
PAWS Service Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs and Service Dogs for Children with Autism are primarily Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses of the two breeds.
PAWS Hearing Dogs may be Retrievers or small breed dogs. Occasionally, PAWS has Poodles or Poodle mixes reserved for clients in need of a hypo-allergenic dog. All dogs must pass specialized health and temperament screenings to be accepted into training.
How does PAWS get the dogs they train to be Assistance Dogs?
The majority of our dogs come from our own strategic breeding program.
Can PAWS train a client’s own dog to be their Assistance Dog?
Due to the highly specialized nature of Assistance Dog work, we do not consider a client’s own dog for training.
What tasks are PAWS Dogs trained to do?
PAWS Dogs have over 40 tasks they could be trained in, including retrieving and delivering dropped items, tugging to remove items of clothing and opening doors. Service Dogs may pull a lightweight manual wheelchair or turn lights on and off. Hearing Dogs primarily alert and orient clients to common sounds. Seizure Response Dogs respond to a client’s seizure by summoning help or providing stimulation.
Service Dogs for Children with Autism act as a constant companion to a child to help them improve social, communication and life skills.
What tasks are PAWS Dogs NOT trained to do?
We do not train Guide Dogs for people who are blind, for diabetic alert/response, to anticipate or detect medical symptoms, for the primary benefit of emotional comfort, to recognize and/or manage undesirable human behavior, to provide supervision, navigation, or safety from environmental hazards, to respond aggressively, to provide personal protection or to assist with the management of mental illness (such as PTSD, etc.) as a primary condition.
Who is eligible to apply for a PAWS Dog?
People with a physical disability, hearing impairment, seizure disorder or a child with autism who can demonstrate that an Assistance Dog will enhance their independence or their quality of life are qualified to apply. PAWS can only accept a limited number of applications per year from individuals who live in areas serviced by a PAWS Field Representative.
Although many individuals with disabilities are eligible and in need of an Assistance Dog, PAWS will determine and select individuals where the tasks provided by PAWS’ highly trained dogs will be of the greatest benefit.
What are the age requirements to apply?
Individuals applying for a Service or Seizure Response Dog must be at least 14 years old with age-appropriate cognitive ability. Those applying for a Hearing Dog must be 18 years or older. Families applying for a Service Dog for Children with Autism must have a child with autism between 4-12 years old: application must be received by 7th birthday; Needs Assessment completed by 9th birthday; placement prior to 12th birthday.
How much does it cost?
The dog is provided at no cost to the client. However, PAWS needs to raise $35,000 to cover the cost of breeding, care, customized training and continued support of each team. The significant majority of funds raised by PAWS come from individual donors.
PAWS promotes a “pay it forward” culture. Once a client achieves certification, we encourage them to consider hosting a Personal Campaign to benefit another client still waiting for a PAWS Dog. We are happy to work with certified clients willing to fundraise on PAWS’ behalf, and have the tools to make it easy.
Accepted clients in the waiting pool for a PAWS Dog who wish to host a Personal Campaign for PAWS may do so. However, it is not a requirement to receive a PAWS Dog, nor will it help a waiting client get a dog more quickly.
For more information on giving to PAWS, click here.
How long is the application process?
From the time an application is received to the completion of the in-home Needs Assessment can be as long as 24 months. If a client is accepted into the program after the Needs Assessment, they will go into the pool of all clients waiting to be paired with a PAWS Dog. For all clients in the “waiting pool”, the search to find an appropriate dog begins right away.
However, depending on the individual needs of the client, and the individual qualities of the dogs in training available, it may take another 1-4 years to find the right match.
I completed the application process, but haven’t been matched to a dog yet. Why?
Finding the right dog to match your specific needs, personality and environment is not an exact science. Many factors are taken into consideration, with the ultimate goal being to find the best dog to meet your unique needs. Also, not every dog successfully completes training; sometimes we must start the matching process over.
What if I have other pets in my home?
PAWS does place an Assistance Dog in homes that have cats, birds or other small caged pets. Effective September 1, 2012, no PAWS Assistance Dog will be placed in a home with any other dog, unless it is a retired PAWS Dog or working Assistance Dog from an Assistance Dogs International or International Guide Dog Federation-accredited agency for someone else in the household.
It has been our experience that other dogs in the home can interfere with the bonding and training process of the Assistance Dog Team.
How old are the dogs when the clients receive them?
Typically, dogs are approximately 18-24 months old.
What are the responsibilities of the client who receives a PAWS Assistance Dog?
Clients must be able to follow through with the in-home and public (if applicable) training process with their local PAWS Field Representative. Clients must be committed to maintaining the dog’s training throughout the lifetime of the team and to providing for the well-being of the dog (veterinary care, proper grooming, exercise, etc.). It is advisable to research yearly veterinary, grooming and feeding costs in your specific area prior to applying for an Assistance Dog. Paws With A Cause provides ongoing training support for its teams.
Can Assistance Dogs live in apartments and go in public places?
Yes. The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees the right of a person with a qualifying disability to be accompanied by their individually trained Assistance Animal in public venues.
The Fair Housing Act allows for trained Assistance Animals in apartments or other no-pet housing at no additional cost to the person with a disability. More information can be found at www.ada.gov and www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/title8.php
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Paws With A Cause works hard to ensure each client is matched with an Assistance Dog that enhances their quality of life and independence. We know this is an ongoing process, which is why we strive to help each Assistance Dog Team prosper before, during and after certification.
CLIENT-DOG MATCHING
The search for a client’s dog match begins as soon as their Needs Assessment has been accepted. Our goal is to make the strongest possible match for each client in the “waiting pool.” Many factors are considered when evaluating a possible client-dog pairing. Depending on the individual client, and the particular qualities of each available PAWS Dog-in-Training, it may take up to two years to find the right match for their needs, temperament, and lifestyle.
CUSTOM-TRAINING
Once a client is matched, training begins. During these 3-6 months, trainers review a client’s needs assessment and video to custom-train the Assistance Dog for tasks to enhance a client’s independence and quality of life. PAWS’ training standards exceed the industry average. If a dog is unable to meet PAWS’ training standards, the client will be matched with another compatible PAWS Dog as soon as possible.
TEAM TRAINING
When training at PAWS Headquarters is complete, the Assistance Dog is placed with the client in their home and team training begins. Over the next 4-8 months, a PAWS Field Rep helps the client learn how to work with their Assistance Dog in the home, workplace, school, etc. When the client and PAWS Dog are working well together, the Field Rep videotapes them performing their tasks. This video is reviewed by PAWS Client Services and once approved, the Assistance Dog Team is certified and ownership of the PAWS Dog transfers to the client.
Assistance Dog Teams are tested and recertified every 24 months to ensure they continue to work well together. Follow up is conducted on alternate years or whenever a client needs additional assistance.
TEAM SUPPORT
After certification, PAWS remains available for support. Clients may contact PAWS Client Services at any time if extra training is needed, whether it’s a new task or retraining of an existing task. Assistance Dog Teams are also recertified every 24 months to ensure they are working at the required proficiency of PAWS and ADI.
When an Assistance Dog retires or passes away, PAWS clients are eligible to apply for a Successor Dog. If accepted, priority is given to successor clients for available Assistance Dogs.
Please note: A PAWS Assistance Dog will not be placed in a home with another dog unless it is a retired PAWS Dog or working Assistance Dog from an ADI or IGDF-accredited agency for someone else in the household. It has been our experience that other dogs in the home interfere with the bonding and training of the Assistance Dog Team.
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Service Dogs: Helping Children with Autism
Service Dogs for Children with Autism can change the lives of the children they help, as well as the lives of their entire family. They are trained to soothe their charges, keep them safe, and even help communicate with those around them. We spoke to Brandy, a mother who learned about service dogs for autistic children and decided to get one to help her son Xander.
What training did your dog have before coming to your house?
Our dog Lucy has been trained by the National Guide Dog Training Service (NEADS) Prison Pups program. Their dogs are trained in prisons across the country by prisoners who have committed non-violent crimes. On the weekends, volunteers called puppy caregivers pick up the dogs and help teach them social skills. The preparation of our dog Lucy lasted about a year before she ended up at our house. She is trained as a normal working dog, so she can open doors, turn on lights and fetch items, while also paying attention to the social and emotional needs of my eldest son Xander.
How did you get your service dog?
We applied in January 2013 after reviewing the information and realizing that this program was right for us. NEADS requires a very detailed application with medical records and recommendations from doctors, teachers, and family members. After NEADS approved us for a dog, we had to wait until a suitable one was found. They chose the right dog for Xander based on his preferences (he wanted a yellow dog) and his behavior. Xander is excitable, so we needed a calm breed.
Did you and your son receive any training before bringing a dog home?
After we were matched with Lucy, I was scheduled to attend a two-week training session at the NEADS campus in Sterling, Massachusetts. The first week was full of classroom activities and dog handling lessons. I had to take a dog first aid course and learn all the commands Lucy knows. I practiced getting in and out of buildings, getting her in and out of the car, and I also had to learn how to keep the dog safe at all times.
Xander was with me the second week. I had to learn how to handle a dog in tandem with my son. We are a working team. I keep the dog on a leash on one side and Xander on the other. Wherever we go, I'm responsible for everyone, so I had to learn how to keep us all safe at all times.
What does the dog do to help your son?
First of all, Xander was a fugitive. That is, he could jump out and run away from us at any moment. I affectionately called him Houdini, as he could get out of my hand or run away from home at any moment. Since it's not a problem now, I look back and smile, but before Lucy showed up, it was very scary. Now that he's tied to Lucy, he can only go where I tell him to.
Secondly, Lucy calms him down. When he has an outburst of emotions, she tries to calm him down. Sometimes clinging to him, and sometimes just being there.
Finally, she helps Xander communicate with the outside world. Although he can be very loud and talkative, his socialization skills needed support.
When we go out with Lucy, people show genuine interest in us. Xander has learned to tolerate questions and requests to pet his dog. He also answers questions and explains to people who Lucy is and how she helps him.
One day at the pediatric occupational therapy center, Xander was waiting for his turn. He ignored everyone around him, but there were a lot of people there that day. Many children constantly asked to pet his dog. And although he answered in the affirmative, his attention and eyes were focused exclusively on his tablet. While I was making his appointment, the man next to me was trying to convince his son to ask the boy if he could pet his dog. But the little boy said, “No, I can't. What if he says no? And then Xander looked up and said, "I won't say no." He stood up, took the boy by the hand and led him to Lucy. He showed him how to pet her and explained that she was a fawn Labrador and that she was his special working dog. I was in tears. It was amazing and impossible before the appearance of Lucy.
I hope that in a year or two Xander will be able to handle Lucy on his own. Then she will be able to fully demonstrate her skills. She is trained to keep him safe, help him with his daily chores, and remain his companion even when he has difficulty making friends in the outside world. She will always be his best friend.
What do you think people should know about service dogs for children with autism?
First, I would like people to know that not every service dog is a guide dog for the blind. Likewise, not every person who has a service dog has a disability, and it is very impolite to ask why they have a service dog. It's the same as asking someone what medicine they take or how much they earn. We often let Xander say that Lucy is his autistic service dog because it helps his communication skills. But that doesn't mean we have to tell people about it.
Finally, I would like people to understand that while Xander most often lets people pet Lucy, the choice is still his.
He can say no, and I'll help him out by putting a patch on Lucy's vest asking him not to touch the dog. We don't use it often, usually on days when Xander is not in the mood to socialize and we want to respect the social boundaries he is trying to develop and explore.
What positive impact do service dogs have on the lives of children with autism?
This is an excellent question. I believe that Lucy really helped us. I can see with my own eyes that Xander has become more outgoing and I can be sure of his safety when Lucy is by his side.
However, therapy dogs for children with autism may not be suitable for every family with a child with an autism spectrum disorder. First, it's like having another child. Not only because you need to take care of the needs of the dog, but also because now this dog will accompany you and your child almost everywhere. In addition, it will take a lot of money to get such an animal. At first, we did not even imagine how costly this undertaking would be.
At that time, a service dog through NEADS cost 9500 dollars. We are very lucky to have received a lot of help from our community and local organizations, but the financial aspect of getting a dog for a child with autism must be taken into account.
Finally, as a mother of two wonderful children and the most beautiful dog, I would also like parents to prepare emotionally. The process is very stressful. You need to provide information about your family, your child's health and your life situation, which you have not told anyone about before. You must note and label each problem your child has in order to be selected for a service dog. I was dumbfounded when I saw all this on paper. I really wasn't ready to not only read all of this, but actively discuss it with relatively unfamiliar people.
While these are all warnings and things I wish I knew before applying for a service dog, I still wouldn't change a thing. Lucy has been a blessing to me, both my boys and our entire family.
The benefits really outweigh the extra work involved in having such a dog in our lives and we are truly grateful for it.
Contributor Bio
Erin Ollila
Erin Ollila is a pet lover who believes in the power of words, that her articles can benefit people and their animals and even change them. You can find her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com.
90,000 dogs for children with autism: types and approaches01/13/19
Descriptions of dog types that can be used to help people with autism, their features and restrictions
Source: Autism Speaks
9000
“We want to get a therapy or assistance dog for our son with autism. Our day center employee thinks a therapy dog would be a better fit for him. What would you suggest? Any ideas are important to us.”
Dog handler Janet Cole, dog handler Betty Miller and pediatrician Roland Maxim Gott answer the question.
Thanks for the great question. Before discussing what type of dog might be right for your child, it's important to answer the following questions if you haven't already:
- Does your child like dogs?
- Does your child or other family member have an allergic reaction to the presence of a dog?
- Is your family ready and prepared to take care of a dog? Remember, this will require serious commitment and financial costs, including in the event of a dog illness.
– Are you ready to handle a dog and a child at the same time in public places? Even with a well-trained assistance dog, many parents report being surprised at how difficult the task is. Remember, the dog will wait for instructions and commands from you (an adult). And at the same time, the child may demand your full attention.
What type of dog is right for your child?
You correctly pointed out that there is a difference between a service dog and a therapy dog. We propose to consider the third category - a well-trained and well-mannered companion dog (that is, just a dog as a pet).
In fact, when parents of a child with autism come to us for such advice, we usually recommend a companion dog.
The difference between types of dogs from the point of view of a child or adult with autism is explained below:
Companion dogs
As we have said, a well-behaved pet can be a great influence on a person with autism and be a source of important emotional support. Dogs are very emotional, they express unconditional love and friendly feelings every day.
Walking the dog can be a good exercise and a "social magnet" - an opportunity to start and maintain conversations with other children. Teaching a child to care for a dog allows him to develop practical skills and responsibility. And having a pet at home provides parents with the opportunity to teach and model for their child how to care for and consider the needs of your friends - a very important aspect of social skills.
If you are thinking of buying or adopting a dog, we can recommend breeds such as the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever or Labradoodle (a cross between a Labrador and a poodle), as these breeds are distinguished by high intelligence and calm nature.
If we are talking about a dog from a shelter, it must be taken into account that often there is no information about the previous living conditions of such a dog. This means that it can be difficult to predict how she will react in the event of a fright or threat. Can a dog bite if a child grabs it too roughly? Does she tend to chase cats? Attack other dogs? Many of these dogs have suffered abuse and may be afraid of certain people, such as men.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are dogs that have undergone very intensive training and official certification. They are trained to perform certain functions to help a person with a disability. By law, people have the right to freely bring such dogs into public places if they have official documents confirming their special training. Often they wear a special "cloak" or harness that tells others that this dog is working and should not be disturbed.
The service dog is trained according to the needs of the person it will be helping.
For example, it can become a guide dog for a person with vision, hearing or mobility limitations. It can accompany a person with epilepsy (seizure warning), diabetes (high or low blood sugar warning), an anxiety disorder, or a developmental disorder such as autism.
In the case of autism, the assistance dog is usually trained to reduce anxiety, for example, during visits to medical facilities, visits to events, shops or transport. Some of these dogs are trained to recognize and gently interrupt self-injury or an escalating nervous breakdown. For example, a dog may respond to signs of anxiety and agitation and perform a calming action in response, such as lying on a person's lap or snuggling up to him.
Sometimes parents ask about a helper dog to prevent a child with autism from running away - in this case, the dog's leash is fastened to the child's clothing so that the dog prevents him from escaping. As a general rule, we do not recommend this use of dogs. This can be very dangerous.
A service dog is not a person, but an animal, it can panic in case of stress, and this can lead to tragedy. Some organizations claim that they can train dogs to keep children out of the house or yard, but dogs cannot watch children instead of people. Any dog can get tired or distracted.
Finally, we want to emphasize that very often well-intentioned people take up training dogs to help people with disabilities, but this can be very dangerous. Training a helper dog requires a lot of time, effort and high qualification of the trainer. An improperly trained dog is a real threat to both humans and animals. We strongly recommend that you contact only accredited organizations about this.
Therapy Dogs
As the name suggests, these are dogs that provide emotional support and comfort for therapeutic purposes. As a rule, such dogs work in hospitals, nursing homes or other medical and social institutions. They can be a source of extra support during physical therapy, occupational therapy, or they can simply help calm children and adults who are undergoing stressful medical treatment.
It is important to emphasize that dogs cannot be a treatment in and of themselves - they are either involved in some kind of healing process or simply have a calming effect. In the field of autism, therapy dogs have become popular precisely because they can help calm or ease social situations.
Unlike service dogs, many therapy dogs do not receive any special training. Sometimes just the most calm, tolerant and affectionate dogs are suitable for this role. To purchase a therapy dog, you need to contact an accredited organization that specializes in training such dogs. It is important that the organization has experience working specifically with children and adults who have autism.
Most often, therapy dogs work on the basis of some institution, for example, on the basis of a rehabilitation center. Children with autism may interact with these dogs if they visit the facility, but this does not require keeping the dog at home. Therapy dog owners sometimes put special bandages or capes on them, but they are not legally guaranteed access to public places.
