Since 1995, National Service Dogs has been training Labrador and Golden Retrievers to assist the parents of children with Autism. We are proud to be the first school in Canada that is providing such dogs to families with Autistic children.
Criteria For Families
Typically, the best results come from families who have:
- POSITIVELY exposed and socialized the child to large dogs in the past
- NO other family dog in the house at the time of Team Training
- TIME to devote to the learning curve of adding a Service Dog to their lives
- A WILLINGNESS to have one or both parents travel without the child to our facility for an one day seminar, and for 5 days during Team Training when you receive the dog
- A FENCED yard or plan to contain the dog when in the yard
- ONE dedicated parent that stays home during the weekdays if the child is not yet in school. This project will be more successful if the dog bonds with the child and one parent, not a selection of different caregivers
- A CHILD with Autism between the ages of 2 and 6 at the time of application.
About The Dogs:
There is a small window of opportunity when the dogs can physically stop a child and that must be taken into consideration when we place the dogs into homes to work. The dog should be physically able to slow a child down when running. These selectively bred dogs are trained to slow small children at curbs and intersections to prevent them from bolting into traffic when accompanied by an adult that gives the dog verbal commands. For many parents, the use of a Service dog allows them for the first time to walk behind their child without hanging on to a sleeve or hood of a jacket.
The children are attached to the dogs via a leash. The dog responds to commands By The Parents to proceed forward in a straight line, turn left or right and to stop. If the child approaches a curb or tries to walk off the sidewalk, the parent can tell the dog to stop and stay. The dog will use all of it's power to brace its footing to slow the child down and stop, which gives the parent walking behind the child time to intervene.
The children are taught that they are responsible for the care of their new dog and that they are attached because the dog need him/her near by it all times. For most children, this is better than an adult always hanging on to them.
Many families of autistic children have told us that they feel trapped in their own homes because they cannot go out in public with their Autistic child. With Autism, children get over-stimulated by different sounds, sights and smells. They are easily overwhelmed. Our dogs are allowed full public access when certified by our school following the ADI Standards of Public Access Testing (see ADI Weblink)
This means a National Service Dog can accompany the families into malls, restaurants, hotels and schools. Some families have reported changes in their Autistic child's behaviour. Some children have less instances of aggression. Some have used the dogs to comfort them when they are upset by touching them.
How To Apply:
To apply for a dog, the process is as follows: First, clients are asked to submit a letter outlining their child's disability and how they feel a dog would help them in their day to day lives. Once receiving that letter, we decide if there is something we can do, and if so, forward an application. The application asks for a number of references, including a letter from both parents showing they agree and support the decision to get a dog. We also ask for a video that shows the child interacting with a neighbour or relatives’ dog, and some of the child’s daily routines. The application itself is 8 pages in length.
Once we receive the application in full, the client will receive a letter which lets them know that we have the application. The next step in the Application Process in to have a group seminar and personal interview with the parents and interested caretakers of the child. It is at this time that we try to answer all questions that remain.
Following that, an in-home interview will be set up in your home, and a trainer will bring a dog and meet your child, and discuss any further ideas, or concerns.
Once accepted, the search for an ideal dog begins! (see Application Process)
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Recommended Reading
Allison's Suncatchers and Chains. A Journey with Autism Author: Kris Jones, BScN., MEd. |
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Allison was born 30 years ago and is autistic.
Kris Jones, her mother shares the story of their
ordinary and extraordinary experiences together in
the family's efforts to provide for Allison's
needs. They came to accept that there would not be
a cure for Allison but they persevered in the face
of the enigma she presented to ensure that she had
the best quality of life possible within the
chains of her disability. They have dealt with the
challenges of Allison's early childhood and school
years, her adolescence and young adulthood and
along the way learned many lessons - some joyous,
some hard and painful. A journey of hope, despair,
courage and love. Allison had a Canine Companion,
a Welsh Corgi named Quality, for twelve years and
there is a chapter in the book explaining the
wonderful difference this dog made in Allison's
life. Readers will find much value here - insights
into the difficulties facing families living with
a person with a disability, ideas to explore in
providing programs for persons with autism and
most of all an appreciation for those people who
are different and to see them as unique
individuals, valued human beings.
The
cost of the book is $19.95 + GST= $21.35 +
shipping and handling: $27.00 To
order this book
click here! |