Posted: June 28 2005 at 11:49pm | IP Logged

Hi,

I read on the site about how lonely some of the autistic children are because other children won't play with them. My son is very affectionate and tries so hard to make friends. Some children, can be so mean, it really breaks my heart. I think that a pet dog would help fill that void a little. I saw on a TV show a few years ago that there is a place that trains dogs for autistic children. Does anyone know anything about this? I would love to get a dog for my son. He is 13 now and old enough to help care for the dog. I would appreciate any info on finding specially trained dogs for autistic children. I found a couple of sites on line but they were for the blind only.

Thank You,

Delores

Delores

Posted: June 29 2005 at 5:29am | IP Logged

Delores,

I see that to be true in my teenage son. We have a dog and it seems to be therapeutic for him to lie on the floor and pat her. Our dog is about 12 and I absolutely DREAD the day we lose her. Our son feels things so deeply it will be very hard on him when that happens. We are thinking of getting a small dog (a schnoodle...ever heard of it?) that can be on our laps. I know some dogs are trained for therapy but I don't know about specific training for autism. I'd love to hear more about that too. I did meet someone once who told me their schnauzer was a pet therapy dog.

Sue

Posted: June 29 2005 at 6:40am | IP Logged

About Service Dogs for Children with Autism http://autism.about.com/b/a/058573.htm (information about service dogs)

LockBox Foundation Our Mission Develop the first autism dog training facility in the United States.   http://www.lockboxfoundation.com/

Autism Service Dogs of America http://www.autismservicedogsofamerica.com/

North Star Foundation Service Dog Placements for Children with Autism http://www.northstardogs.com/autism.shtml

All Purpose Canines, Inc. AUTISM PARTNERS PROGRAM http://www.allpurposecanines.com/autismprogram.html

Posted: June 29 2005 at 6:41am | IP Logged

Maybe someday I can get my kids a dog.  As it is Gabe is mean to a cat.  So I don't think he would be too nice towards a dog.  The dog might end up running away from home.

Tammy

Posted: June 29 2005 at 8:44am | IP Logged

Thank You  Gabu for providing several good links.

I know when I looked into this before there is (or can be) an extremely long wait for these dogs.

Just a few days ago I was in a parking lot and there was a dog in the car next to us it just sat and never barked. Having taught the kids NEVER go up to a strange dog I sorta waited for the owner to come. About the same time the woman came to her car I noticed the yellow therapy dog tag. SO I asked her if I could speak to her about therapy dogs for a moment and the kids asked to pet the dog.

Therapy dogs are basically just companion dogs who have been through testing, and are certified to be able to go to  different places (like nursing homes and SOME hospitals - she said Raibows Babies and Childrens hospital has their own program the dog must go through to be allowed there ) .  Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs and can't go to stores or resturaunts with you. However I believe the Autism Service Dogs can because they are considered a SERVICE DOG (Difference between THERAPY and SERVICE)

The woman suggested unless I specifically needed a dog that would be allowed into resturaunts and malls and so forth with us that we get a puppy and allow it to grow up attached to him or go to an animal shelter and see the dogs there and sometimes a dog will just automatically "TAKE" to your special needs child and bond. So its a thought anyhow.

Also I just want to mention that for some who can't have a dog. I got my son a guinea pig when he was about 5. This guinea pig is AWESOME! He wakes up every morning with my son and squeaks him a good morning hello. My son goes over and tells him good morning and feeds him and checks his water (yes that took some reminding in the beginning but now its routine) He talks to his Guinea pig often. He also holds him and lays with him and it is very calming. When he is extremely upset I get the guinea pig and bring it to him and he immediately starts to calm down (sometimes I have to say in a little guinea pig voice "daddy whats wrong" LOL as he calls his guinea pig his son ). I have even caught him talking to his guinea pig in his room when hes very upset. so there are options for people who cant have or dont want a dog.

Posted: June 29 2005 at 10:46am | IP Logged

http://www.petsandpeople.org/difference.htm   Service Dog, Therapy Dog:
What's the Difference?

We believe that a large part of the problem with access comes from confusion of terminology.

Therapy Dogs

Briefly, therapy animals work with a health-care professional as part of a treatment plan. Dogs that do visitation are also commonly called "therapy dogs". Neither of these usually has acces to public places.

This can be confusing, because sometimes people call dogs "service dogs", claiming that they are entitled to that label because they provide a "service" for people. You can call a dog whatever you like, but the fact is that no federal law (and very few state laws) allow access with that type of "service" dog.

Service Dogs

Dogs that assist people with disabilities are termed "Assitance Dogs" or "Service Dogs". Those dogs actually need to do something to help with the disability. In return, they are allowed anywhere you could take another medical device, such as a wheelchair. The dogs may or may not do actual physical work for their handlers; for example, some deaf people use very small dogs who can alert them to sounds.

A person who has a disability and uses a dog to help compensate for abilities lost as a result, is guaranteed the right to be accompanied by that dog in any place where the public is usually invited. This right is guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which is a (US) federal law. Some (US) states also have laws concerning access with a Service Dog. The state laws may include restrictions as far as equipment that must be used, certification, trainers, and so on. The rule is that where the federal law allows you more rights, it prevails.

Please be aware that the ADA does not mention service dogs in training. Many state laws do. In that case, the state law is the ONLY one that applies; however, once your dog is no longer "in Training", you are protected by the federal statute mentioned previously.
(a page with links to US state & federal laws, as well as links for Canada, Mexico, and Native American laws, can be found at http://www.lawsource.com/also/)

Emotional Support Animals

Dogs that companionship, relief from loneliness & depression, and similar support can be allowed in housing (even "No Pet" housing) without the requirement of a pet deposit. Those dogs are called "Emotional Support Animals", but they don't have access to public places, either.

More information on Emotional Support Animals is available from the Bazelon Centter for Mental Health Law and the Disabilities Rights Center.

Pets and People supports owner-trained service dogs, even those used for emotional disabilities like depression. Under the ADA, proof of disability and/or certification of the dog as a Service Dog need not be shown. Many people who live with a disability who choose to use a Service Dog (PWDWSD) have no or very few problems with access. Pets and People makes the Department of Justice's "Questiona About Service Dogs in Places of Business" available for download in brochure form, which can help with acces issues.

Chances are that if you don't have an obvious disability and/or you are using a very small dog, someone will attempt to deny you access or ask for proof (either of your disability or of your dog's status). Best to be prepared for that situation, either by having the so-called "proof" (a doctor or therapist's prescription, a Service Dog card), or by being willing to assert your legal rights and deal with the immediate consequences (yes, you may be right, but you may still be asked to leave). As an organization, Pets and People does not advocate one approach or the other. As with so many other things relating to living with an owner-trained service dog, the "best" approach is up to the person who must confront the situation.

Pets and People does not "register" or certify therapy dogs. A group that does, and is quite well known, is Therapy Dogs International (http://www.tdi-dog.org/). If you are looking for information on volunteering with your pet to visit nursing homes, hospitals, and similar activities, please see the book WANTED: Animal Volunteers by Dr. Mary Burch. If you are a health care professional who wants to incorporate animals into your practice or treatment protocols, please contact our founder, Dr. Patricia Gonser, through our contact page.

Tammy

Posted: June 29 2005 at 1:09pm | IP Logged

Hi,

Thank you guys so much for all the info. My son had a late nighter and I didn't get to bed until about 3:00 in the morn. He was up bright and early this morning. I checked the board before I went bed but there wasn't any replies. I couldn't believe all replies when I checked in this afternoon. I have a lot to look into but I feel this going to happen. Thank you, Thank you. I will let you guys know how it is going. I love this site it's like another world one where me and my son are completely accepted. If only the outside world could be mostly like this and not mostly rejecting because of the unknown.

Delores

Delores

Posted: June 29 2005 at 1:36pm | IP Logged

Maybe the cat used up one of its nine lives?  They do say cats tend to land on their feet.  But, lol, someone said that about me once too.

tammy