Walking With a Dog

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I always wanted an autism service dog but wasn't sure if I actually needed one.
But then I took a dog my sister is caring for, Bear, for a walk.
She away so I had no choice but to.
Usually I get pretty bad sensory overload only minutes after walking outside, especially when not on medication.

I wasn't sure where to walk so just let him decide. Then I got more confidence to walk to the park but Bear felt tired so I took him home.
My sister said walk him the next morning so I did. I started to realise I didn't get sensory overload or even the beginning symptoms at all and I had no crossing the road anxiety. I get pretty nervous about it but when I'm with Bear I don't feel nervous at all. I had even more confidence to go down to the park but because I was tired got scared and walked him back home.

Then when I went down to the corner shop, barely a minuet away I felt the beginning signs of sensory overload. I was nervous about crossing the road and didn't want to look at people.

I find it amazing that just walking a dog could take away my sensory issues. I know they greatly benefit autistic people but I always though those with more severe autism.
Problem is Bear is not trained to be a service dog and is quite old. He is calm except when it comes to crossing roads. I think a service dog would benefit me but people think I'm high functioning, even after seeing me completely sensory overloaded in two situations. And a big dog might be a bit much for a simple terrace house. Backyard is a good size but we've got 1 dog and 3 cats already.

I think I might keep walking him though. Maybe over time I will get less nervous when walking without him.

I took my big dog Skipper for a walk Wednesday night, for the main purpose of helping him work off some anxiety (I swear he is the perfect example of doggie AS, he really is my child lol jk ), but it really helped me too. I'm usually too scared to go for a walk by myself or with my little dog, but I don't worry about anything when I'm with him (except sometimes I worry about Skipper having a meltdown). I really want a service dog too. I'm not sure how to define "need" in that sense, since obviously I've made it this far without one. I'm much more confident and coordinated and sociable when I have a dog with me. It's a pretty drastic difference, even other people have commented on it.

I'd like to have a dog. It would get me out of the house and exercising more. My mother doesn't want a dog though.

I've heard of at least a few autistic people who would be described as HFA who have service dogs. One posts here occasionally about wandering and service dogs. Another who comes to mind is Jim Sinclair, one of the founders of Autism Network International. Another poster who comes here rather rarely - dancinonwater - has talked having a dog help her with emotional and stimming issues. I think she posted it on the ADDF, however, and at the time didn't know about AS as a possible diagnosis, just ADHD.

I don't know what options might be available to you. An untrained dog might help. Trained dogs tend to do things like intervene during meltdowns and keep you from crossing streets, parking lots, etc. when there's traffic.

I have a serivce dog. I dont need her but she really helps. Im more confident and Im more willing to go out more often because I can take her with me every where I go.

My brother's dog Otis a large American Bulldog likes to sit with me on the couch he literly sits up like a person.LoL. He likes to rest his head on my shoulder or chest when we are sitting there watching tv. When he does this it has a calming effect on me. My depression also goes away when he is near. Our female American Bulldog Matilda is the same way.

Here is Otis lounging on the couch.


Here is Matilda please excuse the sheet we have on the couch it is muddy outside and we are trying to keep it clean when the dogs sit on it.



Here is the newest addition Cooper a femal Boston Terrior she is only couple months old. She is doing her best to kill something red and fuzzy!

dogs!! !!