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Companion Dogs for Autistic Kids

Companion Dogs for Autistic Kids

Autism is a disabling developmental disorder diagnosed in children that interferes with their ability to communicate, relate to others, control their behavior and emotions and process social cues. Some children engage in repetitive motions or harm themselves. They are characteristically poor at making friends and forming social bonds. Service dogs are a valuable tool in helping these children function in school and at home and to outgrow some of their difficulties. The dog's presence helps the child modify her feelings and aggressive behavior and enables parents to take their child on outings with less fear they will run away or act out.

Acquiring Service Dogs

    Autism service dogs cost $5,000 to $15,000 to train and acquire, reports ABC News, and are available from 4 Paws for Ability, Project Chance and other organizations. The most common breeds for this role are golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, also the most commonly used guide dogs for the blind.

Search and Rescue

    Autistic children often get themselves into dangerous situations by wandering away or breaking free of a parent's handhold. Service dogs are also search-and-rescue animals. They receive special training to find children who have run away, which is a common behavior in autism. They are taught how to follow the scent and to search for a lost child, relieving parents' fears and duties, allowing the family more freedom of movement and keeping the child safer.

Emotional Bonding

    Dogs connect with autistic children in a special way that often soothes their nerves, calms them down and gives them a feeling of safety and security in their environment. The animals are trained to recognize situations in which a child needs to process sensory information but is unable to do so because it is overwhelming. A trained dog can lean against or touch the child, defusing some of the child's repetitive movements (e.g., flapping hands), thereby moderating the child's emotions.

Social Interaction

    Service dogs become a bridge to the outside world and to others for many autistic children. The dog's presence encourages the autistic child to introduce other children to his companion. Conversely, other children are more likely to approach the child and her canine friend. Most importantly, the dog's constant presence and love help teach an autistic child empathy. Unfortunately, several school districts have tried to ban the dogs, leading to court cases that will decide whether they are essential service animals or merely comforting companions, reports MSNBC. Advocacy groups assert that the guide dogs should be protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.



  • Autism Service Dogs of America

    autismservicedogsofamerica.com

    2010 autism service dogs of america design by kristi roberts developed by portline, inc all rights reserved.


  • Autism Service Dogs

    autismassistancedog.com

    Assistance Dogs for Autism, Autism service dogs, service dog training


  • National Service Dogs Enriching the quality of life for ...

    www.nsd.on.ca

    Certified Service Dogs for Autism. Since 1996, National Service Dogs (NSD) has been training Labrador and Golden...


  • Autism Assistance Dog - 4 Paws For Ability

    4pawsforability.org/autism-assistance-dog

    Autism Assistance Dog. 4 Paws was the first agency in the United States to begin placing highly skilled Autism Assistance Dogs and the first agency known to place ...


  • Dogs for Autism: Greenville, South Carolina

    dogsforautism.org

    Dogs for Autism's mission is to enhance lives and increase independence for children with autism and their families through the use of trained dogs, both certified ...


  • Companion Dogs - Companion Dogs

    www.companiondogs.com

    Home Page: Companion Dogs "A well-mannered dog is a constant source of pride and satisfaction, a welcome visitor and a valued companion."


  • Best Pet Dog for a Child with Autism - What's Your Advice?

    autism.about.com/b/2008/08/06/best-pet-dog-for-a-child-with-autism...

    Aug 06, 2008 My boyfriend's son, Zach, has ADD & Autism. We are looking to get him a dog. I was wondering if you had any idea on what type of dog would be best for a ...


  • Autism Assistance Dog Service : Dogs for the Disabled

    www.dogsforthedisabled.org/.../autism-assistant-dog-service

    An autism assistance dog trained by Dogs for the Disabled gives the parent and child real independence, and provides a safer environment for the child, so they feel ...


  • Autism services for children - Dogs for the Disabled

    www.dogsforthedisabled.org/.../autism-services-for-children

    Dogs for the Disabled has extended its services to help children with autism and their families. There are currently two autism service options to consider.


  • Service Dog Placements for Children with Autism

    www.northstardogs.com/autism.shtml

    Service Dog Placements for Children with Autism. Creating a service dog placement for a child with autism differs from creating placements between service dogs and ...


  • Blessings Unleashed - Autism Service Dog Provider - Autism ...

    www.blessingsunleashed.org/index.php?page=puppies-for-sale

    Blessings Unleased is a non-profit organization providing Autism Service Dogs for children with autism. Our Puppies, Dogs in Training, and Current Service Dogs.

  • Providing Service Dogs to Children Worldwide 4 Paws for Ability

    4pawsforability.org

    Non-profit agency placing mobility, hearing, seizure, autism, and emotional assistance dogs with children and adults with disabilities. Includes a calendar of events ...

  • Service Dog Training - Companion Training - Boise Dog Training

    www.companiontraining.com

    Dog training for family pets, Therapy Dogs & Service Dogs. We provide all of the training and supplies you need for your canine family member. We offer dog training ...

  • Autism Service Dogs

    autism.wilderwood.org

    Specializing in Autism service dogs trained to handle the challenges of autism located in Maryville, Tennessee.

  • gooddogautism - autism service dogs

    www.gooddogautismcompanions.org/autism-service-dogs

    A companion dog provides a bridge for a child with autism to connect with the world. Studies have shown that autism service dogs in the home reduce stress hormone ...

  • Companion Dogs - Companion Dogs

    www.companiondogs.com

    Home Page: Companion Dogs "A well-mannered dog is a constant source of pride and satisfaction, a welcome visitor and a valued companion."

  • Certified Service Dogs for Autism National Service Dogs

    www.nsd.on.ca/programs/certified-service-dogs-for-autism

    Since 1996, National Service Dogs (NSD) has been training Labrador and Golden Retrievers to assist children and families living with autism. NSD is proud to be the ...

  • Assistance Dog for Autism

    assistdogautism.blogspot.ie

    Autism Assistance Dog - the story of Clive and Murray

  • I am a service dog trainer for a dog who will eventually go to a ...

    www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1bf6e9/i_am_a_service_dog_trainer...

    I have always loved dogs, having grown up with them, and so when I went to university in a different city and lived on my own, I really wanted my own ...

  • Amazing Service Dog Helps Kids with Autism - YouTube

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx-OnBHXKiU

    Yori is a service dog from Canine Companions for Independence that is making a world of difference in the lives of non verbal autistic students at Hope ...

  • Service Dogs Enhance Quality of Life for Autistic Kids

    www.equine-therapy-programs.com/...dogs...life-for-autistic-kids.htm

    Service Dogs Enhance Quality of Life for Autistic Kids By Hugh C. McBride In the 13 months since a black Labrador Retriever named Shade joined the Zarro family, life ...

  • DOGS FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES LIMITED - Home

    www.dogsforkidswithdisabilities.com

    Dogs for Kids with Disabilities - a Victorian based business providing services in Victoria to families that want a companion dog for their child with a disability.

  • A Child and her Autism Service Dog - YouTube

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r6grI-qO3M

    A Video about Sinaia who has Coffin Siris Syndrome and her Autism Service Dog. Here are some "Sneak Peaks" abouth what a Service Dog does with a Child the ...

  • Assistance Service Dogs for Children Autism and Aspergers

    viking305.hubpages.com Use of Assistance Dogs

    Assistance Dogs and Service Dogs for autistic children. Service dogs have changed the lives of kids with Aspergers Syndrome and Autism.


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