Autism Service Dog

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So we've been thinking about getting me an assistance dog since I've always been bad at connecting with my surroundings. Plus a dog is just plain therapeutic no matter what. I mentioned it in another forum and one of my friends asked, "What exactly does an assistant dog do for an aspie? Tell you what people's facial expressions mean? One bark for agitated, two for lonely. (I'm joking. Please don't hate me! )" Which I thought was funny. Anyone have any experience with this? Here's some info on it: http://4pawsforability.org/autism-assistance-dog/

I think autism service dogs are a wonderful idea.

Yes I have a LOT of experience!! !! !!


I have an 11 year old who is retired, had one dog wash out 2 yeRs ago and have a 7 month old candidate in training! This is my passion and I am a fierce advocate however it is also a place of significNt pain for me as well!! !
so many organizations don't train then for adults, they don't train them proper tasks!!, they promote the very dangerous practice of tethering!! !,


I admit to believing a lot of the misinformation for a time



Here is the thing a service or assitance dog MUST have. Tasks or work these re train behaivior designed to help mitigate the challenges of your specific disability!!


Service dogs for autism are often trained task to help mitigate the sensory issues autism causes.

I am very happy to help you try an figure out what you might want or need. Also there is an AMAZING forum on service dog central worth looking at I am a member there!



As for programs, we got my pup in training from a program, we are thir pilot team or one of them! I got him early as I have owner trained before and I wanted to get him before my current girl passes away. Really love his breeder/program!! ! PM me for more info on it if you want!

The following are NOT tasks and do NOT make a dog a service or assitance animal!

Calming pretense
Naturally reducing anxiety
Helping so I alive
Natural behaivioraly
Being an anchor (tethering)
Emotional support
Protection


These do not qualify a dog to be a service animal. He or she will need to be trained for your specific challenges. This is the BEST article on autism service dogs I have found in a long time!! !

Please read this and feel free to join the forum

http://www.servicedogcentral.org/conten ... rvice-dogs

http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/214


If you just want the emotional support look into emotional support animals, I have a good friend on here who can tell you a lot more about them then I can

I will say with an emotional support animal /you/ have house ing rights but NOT public access rights!! !

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/ESA


Oh and please read this too!! !

http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/80

Anyways sorry if I came off blunt this is my passion!! !!


Please feel free to contact me!!

Thanks ASdogGeek. Sorry I forgot your name!

i think sevice dogs are a great idea. i know my dog who isnt even a trained service dog, makes me feel a LOT better

I don't know much about a autism service dog, but I would prefer an autism survice cat.

The issue with service cats are that in the US you can't bring them into public unless your particular location has laws with more rights for you than the federal government. Under the ADA service animals are only dogs (with some extra text about miniature horses). State and local governments can extend that, and some do, but most places don't.

If you want help only at home, cats are the most awesomest help you can get at home.




All of those links asdoggeek links to really are great links. servicedogcentral is a great resource for service dog stuff.

I didn't like dogs or cats when I was little and used to hit them when they'd rub up against me, so we never have had any pets.

Dogs are incredibly good for people who need company but have a hard time connecting with other people. But i wasnt aware there were such things as service dogs for people with ASD, I really dont think theres anything i n life that i cant do to such a degree that i require a dogs assistance with. I thought that was more for people with severe disabilities or lack of vital senses etc.

I do love my doggies though, and miss my dog Tyler who died last year terribly even after 6 months.

Service dogs would not be appropriate for every person with an ASD. They are absolutely appropriate for some of us. Autism affects more than social interactions, and a service dog can help mitigate those other challenges we deal with. How varies person to person, because it varies what we need help with, but they can be incredibly valuable.