Social/therapy dogs for Autistic children?

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
DH and I spent a wonderfull day at an Autistic conference today. It was so informative. Temple Grandin was there and of course, mentioned animals during some of her presentations. One of the information tables was from an organization that trains dogs to aid children with social therapy.

Here's my question. DS seems to really love dogs. I was wondering if anyone has used social therapy dogs with their autistic children. This organization trains the dogs at length, but that training comes at a hefty price. They are suggesting $1000 donations to receive a trained dog. Have you had positive experiences with this type of therapy?
Thanks!

 

[videogal1]

Hi,
DH and I spent a wonderfull day at an Autistic conference today. It was so informative. Temple Grandin was there and of course, mentioned animals during some of her presentations. One of the information tables was from an organization that trains dogs to aid children with social therapy.

Here's my question. DS seems to really love dogs. I was wondering if anyone has used social therapy dogs with their autistic children. This organization trains the dogs at length, but that training comes at a hefty price. They are suggesting $1000 donations to receive a trained dog. Have you had positive experiences with this type of therapy?
Thanks!

What would the dog be trained to do that would help your son?
What is this organization?
You know, of course, that therapy dogs are not Service dogs and have no ADA-defined public access. In fact, unless your son meets the level of disability as defined in the ADA, he would have no rights to be accompanied by any type of Service-type animal in places that do not ordinarily allow dogs. Is this just for the home? If so, I suggest you get a pet dog of a type of breed that is generally used for Service work and save a lot of money.

 

[Nik's Mom]

No, this would not be a service dog at all. It's simply to help with socializing, play and responsibility for my son. Some people have seen huge improvements with their autistic children with the use of a therapy dog. The dogs are trained to be around special needs children. They are supposed to very social dogs. The organization is called New Leash on Life.

I know it would be cheaper to just go to a pet shop, but the dogs from New Leash on Life are trained already. I'm just wondering if anyone with autistic children has any experience and what you all think?

 

[Maria395712]

therapy dogs are being used as service dogs and are getting into places that dogs are not allowed they have it on the internet so with a doctor's note he can go to disney and with him anywhere
maria

 

[cymomtx]

One of the major prime time news stations in May, just did a special on this. You might want to do a search on their web sites. It was a real interesting show.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Oh rats! I missed a special about it? I'm going to do some research to see what else I can find out.
Thanks.

 

[SAGE]

I applied for a Special Skills dog for my autistic son. He's had the dog for 3 years now. She goes to school with him, shopping malls - everywhere as long as she has her harness and "coat" on. Mind you, we didn't get the dog for him until he was almost 15. Part of the criteria is to be able to look after the dog yourself - feed, walk, groom and most in important learn the commands. I had to accompany my son to the training facility. Stayed 3 weeks ( that part was very difficult - transistions etc) however in the end this wonderful dog is probably the best thing I ever did for him. He now speaks with neighbours, socializes more at school, and when he is overwhelmed, my son just lays down on the floor and pets her for comfort.

In Canada there is the National Guide Dogs - I believe they train dogs for young children. The child is not expected to learn the commands, the parent does.
Good Luck

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thank you, Sage. It's great to hear some positive reviews. It sounds like it helped your child a great deal!

 

[Scraper]

Wow my DSIL has to autistic children but I think that her oldest would get alot out of owning a dog. And it would maybe help him with not being afraid to do things like get in elevators. I will have to mention this to her. Thanks for this thred

 

[jbhess]

My son is 11 and has aspergers. We have two golden retrievers. We got goldens because of their temperment. One of the goldens became my son's best friend. He could sense when my son was upset and would walk over to him and rub his head under my son's hand and my son would automatically pet him and relaxed. My goldens aren't specially trained, but I definitely agree that a dog would help an autistic child.

 

[dclfun]

To the OP..I would see what the training is that's provided. As was mentioned before a therapy dog is not a service dog and does not have public access so if the training is just for obedience and they have temperament tested the dog, you can do that easily yourself. Maria...your post is incorrect and very misleading. Having a Dr's. note does not give anyone public access with a dog and just because something was "on the internet" does not make it lawful. Please do not spread misconceptions. On the other hand, yes, dogs are being used with great success for autistic children in their homes and for a child who can handle a dog independently ( and who also qualifies under the ADA's definition of "disabled"- very different qualification than most would consider "disabled" and very strict) then the child can have public access with a trained SERVICE dog...not a therapy dog. In short the person must have a disability as defined by the ADA and have a service dog that is trained to perform TASKS that mitigate their disability ( not just being there to make them feel better) to be allowed public access. A Dr's note, someone saying they are disabled and having a dog wearing a vest or harness has nothing to do with the law.---Kathy

 

[Nik's Mom]

dclfun,
Yes, I am currently researching to see if the therapy dog would be helpful for my son. But this dog will not be a service dog. My son is disabled in many ways. He has difficulty zipping/buttoning his pants, can't put on his shoes, has a significant speech delay, etc. Unfortunately, a dog does nothing to help him there. Even though his disability is not the same as someone who would benefit from a seeing-eye dog, for example, he's still disabled.
This dog would simply serve as a playmate and to pull him out of his autistic shell.

 

[AJKMOM]

Before you commit to anything, make sure your DS REALLY loves dogs, because you never know. Have him spend time at a pet store interacting with the puppies. Or find a friendly dog that your DS can spend time with. You need to know how it will be if/when you bring home a dog.

We got a Golden Retriever because we heard so many people rave about their personalities, but DS, who is autistic, can't handle the overly affectionate nature of this 70 pound furry beast. He prefers the 10 year old cat! It's not a problem because we all love the dog, but if no one else likes dogs, you risk taking the animal to a shelter or pound if it doesn't work out.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We covered that part already. My MIL has 2 dogs and ds loves them. In fact, last time he gave his Grandma $2 and offered to buy one of the dogs. I'm amazed at how verbal he becomes around the dogs.

 

[SAGE]

I know this is not "Dis" related however since I already posted about our son's special skills dog.....

This is a great site. There are far more organizations in the US than currently in Canada. In fact, it was due to the number of American sites with excellent info that I started to research about animals + autism.

http://www.4pawsforability.org/autismdogs.htm

The dog picked for my son was also a golden retriever!

Sage

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a link to the US Department of Justice FAQs page about service animals. This is the official statement about what is allowed.

 

[videogal1]

therapy dogs are being used as service dogs and are getting into places that dogs are not allowed they have it on the internet so with a doctor's note he can go to disney and with him anywhere
maria

Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs nor can they be "used" as service dogs.

The information you have seen on the internet about a Dr. note being acceptable for calling a therapy dog a service dog is absolutely ficticious and anyone attempting to pass themselves or their dog off as meeting the ADA requirements for being disabled or their dog as being a service dog is commiting fraud. There are very specific guidelines in the ADA that define a qualifying disability as well as what constitutes a service dog working with that person.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Can we all get off the whole service dog argument? My only question is if anyone has experience using a therapy dog with autistic children. I never asked if this could be used as a service dog. I have not intentions of using the dog as a service dog. I only want to know if therapy dogs have been helpful with your autistic child.

One of my favorite things about this particular board is that I don't see as much arguing here as with some of the other Dis boards. But I've seen a few arguments lately over here. Who should get disabled parking, who is entitled to a GAC, and now who is eligible to use a service dog.

O.k., I'm off my soap box. My point is, can't we all just get along?

 

[dclfun]

Hmmm....I know my post was not intended to be argumentative at all. My concerns came with another poster putting up information that is illegal, even though I doubt it was her intention. She wrote that therapy dogs have public access with a Dr.'s note which is not the case. If you are looking into getting a therapy dog, you also need to know what's allowed, otherwise you might want to get a service dog instead. I also wrote to you that dogs, whether therapy or service dogs, have been used successfully with people who have autism. It is still important to differentiate due to laws and issues regarding each. No one is arguing about who is entitled to have either a service or therapy dog, merely that there is a difference. Due to your son's disability he would be entitled to either. You may also want to look beyond a therapy dog to think ahead to whether a service dog can do tasks for your son that he cannot do for himself and whether a service dog could benefit him in school and out in the community. Some of the service dog organizations train dogs that don't qualify at that level but have already been obedience trained and temperament tested. In this case they are looking for another career for these dogs. They might be able to place a dog with your son at no cost who would make an excellent companion and social therapy dog if that is what you are wanting.---Kathy

 

[Maria395712]

NIKS mom
get the dog he will love it and I am sure it will be the best thing for him. and never did say anything about a service dog. seems on these boards someone always puts words in other people's mouths
maria
I'm sorry I meant nik's mom never said a word about a service dog that was not her question.
good luck nik's mom what ever you decide
maria