Social/therapy dogs for Autistic children?

[Maria395712]

dclfun and videogal
read Southwest airlines rules about service dogs and you will see all you need is a doctor's note and people can take their EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOGS on the plane with this note so it appears it is legal not fraud!!
what does anyone really care what anyone else does. I guess the same people who care about 5 when it's suppose to be 4 in a room or something else that doesn't affect them. this is what my DS 20 always says to me. offer help but don't lecture if it doesn't affect you don't worry about it

 

[dclfun]

Maria- first of all if you are quoting rules for airline travel that is very different from taking a dog in places where pets are not allowed. And yes, I do concern myself with what is legal. It is FRAUD to represent a non-service dog as a service dog to gain public access...what about that doesn't pertain to anyone- it is the LAW. If someone wants to cheat, lie, etc. while on vacation to put an extra person in a room that is very different than breaking the law. The OP should know the difference between what will be allowed with a dog she might be getting for her son so she can make an appropriate decision as to what type of dog would be best for her son and her family. Those of us who do use service dogs know the laws and were trying to help her. By your posting information that is illegal, then you are spreading misinformation that might be used by someone who doesn't know any better. ---Kathy

 

[dclfun]

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

I offer the above post where yes, you did say something about service dogs so no one put words in your mouth. What you said was untrue, this is where I take offense at your misleading people and thus misleading the OP who was asking about a therapy dog for her son. As I said before, I don't think your misinformation was intentional.---Kathy

 

[bumpysheep]

dclfun and videogal
read Southwest airlines rules about service dogs and you will see all you need is a doctor's note and people can take their EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOGS on the plane with this note so it appears it is legal not fraud!!
what does anyone really care what anyone else does. I guess the same people who care about 5 when it's suppose to be 4 in a room or something else that doesn't affect them. this is what my DS 20 always says to me. offer help but don't lecture if it doesn't affect you don't worry about it

Actually YOU are WRONG. The ADA and FAA rules are not equal. Nor do the FAA rules says that ESAs are SDs. Emotional SUpport Animals have NO coverage under the ADA or Rehab Act, and those govern public access not aviation rules.

ESAs are covered for flying and under te Fair Housing Act that is IT.

JEEZ, it's not that difficult to figure out!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Why are you all continuing to argue? I've made it clear that this will NOT be a service dog? Maybe you can start a separate thread entitled what is a service dog? This thread was started for a different reason.
Sue, maybe this thread needs to be stopped, since my question has been lost in the service dog argument.

I just wanted to add that if you are the parent of an autistic child with experience in the subject of therapy dogs, can you pm me with your comments. I'd appreciate it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Excuse me folk. SueM is not around, but it appears there are a few people just saying the same thing over and over again. Please play nice and stop the arguing. (I was going to say something about people flogging a dead dog, but that would be tacky.)

 

[dclfun]

To Nik's Mom- I'm sorry the discussion headed in this direction and will try one last time to explain why it became important on your thread. If you are getting a dog of any type, therapy or service, you need to know what your rights are and what your son's rights are, just like any other rights that the disabled are allowed. My concern began when Maria made the above post. What if you had taken her advice and spent 1K on a therapy dog for your son thinking that he would be able to "go anywhere he wanted" with the dog. What if you then realized that yes, it would be a good idea for him to have the dog in public and already had paid for the therapy dog and thus could not get a service dog ( some organizations only let you have one dog). From the people I know who have SD's for their young autistic children they have allowed the parents alot of freedom. One person had a child who ran off without warning. The child was bungee'd around his waist to the dog and since the dog was so large, the child could no longer run away. Also just having the dog nearby to lean on gave this little boy some confidence and allowed him to be more independent. My daughter works at a private school for autistic children. One of them has a SD who accompanies him everywhere. It's cut down drastically on his panic attacks when out in public and increased his verbal skills although he still prefers to talk to the dog who is, of course, nonjudmental about what he is saying. He has low muscle tone so the dog helps support him when he's walking longer distances and when he is getting up from a sitting position. I don't know your child or what his needs are but a dog can be trained to help with many things, such as those I mentioned. My purpose in telling you this is for you to realize you do have a choice. I realize as hopefully does everyone else that you were not intending to use a therapy dog as a SD, but you may still want to consider both. ---Kathy ( and Skye who is my SD)

 

[spiceycat]

Why are you all continuing to argue? I've made it clear that this will NOT be a service dog? Maybe you can start a separate thread entitled what is a service dog? This thread was started for a different reason.
Sue, maybe this thread needs to be stopped, since my question has been lost in the service dog argument.

I just wanted to add that if you are the parent of an autistic child with experience in the subject of therapy dogs, can you pm me with your comments. I'd appreciate it.

so sorry posters are ignoring your wants and needs.

It completely depends upon the child. Some children love and appreciate and work well with dogs. Others are terrifed of animals in general.

if you think you might like to try a dog. look into your neighborhood dog pounds/shelters. I don't mean for you to adopt one. just see if you can take one home to see how your child reacts to the dog.

don't worry if your child ignore it - that is normal. I would be concerned if your child is frighten of the dog.

pets can definitely help.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I understand your point now, dclfun. I just didn't want to see this thread disintegrate the way they do on the resorts or budget boards.
Thanks for the advice. I definitely appreciate it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry I wasn't here earlier, but if I had shut this thread, the clarification would not have been made.
One thing to keep in mind on this board compared to the others, is that most people are trying to be helpful, not looking for an arguement. In most cases (at least here), what looks like an arguemnt is most likely a misunderstanding of what someone is trying to say.

If it does degenerate into an arguement, I will close this thread, but for now it will be open.
This is not exactlly what the OP was asking for, but here are some links regarding therapy dogs:
therapy dogs.com page with a list of books about animal assisted therapy
Delta Society (we used them as a resource for animal visitors in the hospital where I work.)
Article about program with dogs for helping children with autism.

 

[dclfun]

Nik's Mom- Whew...I feel so much better and am glad you realize I was trying to be helpful. I certainly didn't want to hijack your thread or cause an argument but it was very important to me that you understood the point I was making and also that anyone else reading the thread and perhaps considering a dog for a family member would know the difference in laws pertaining to both types of dogs. It is actually very exciting to me that dogs are being used more often for people with autism and helping them greatly. I also hope Maria is not offended. As I kept saying, I don't think she was intentionally posting misinformation. I doubt anyone here would want to hurt another person in any way. Sue posted some great links. You might also just want to do a google search for autism service dog organizations. A client should never have to pay for a service dog but each organization will have their own application criteria, and funding sources. Some have a waiting list. There are service dog chat groups on Yahoo where you might meet some people who are using SD's or therapy dogs for their autistic children and who also might be able to recommend a particular organization that is reputable. ---Kathy

 

[Maria395712]

I agree with Sue ,just misunderstandings not arguments. great links sue, very helpful for anyone needing this type of info.
maria
like I said good luck with everything to nik's mom and her family
let us know if you do get a dog

 

[Nik's Mom]

Ok, I'm so glad we're all Dis friends again. Seriously, one of my favorite things about dsAbilities board is the helpful, supportive group that we have.

Thank you all for the great links and information. I'm pretty sure we will get a therapy dog. It's just a matter of finding the right agency and right dog.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Figment1964]

Ok, I'm so glad we're all Dis friends again. Seriously, one of my favorite things about dsAbilities board is the helpful, supportive group that we have.

Thank you all for the great links and information. I'm pretty sure we will get a therapy dog. It's just a matter of finding the right agency and right dog.
Thanks for your help!

We'd looked into getting a dog for our son but didn't end up doing it. Mostly due to his minor fear of dogs (it's their dander he's scared of---he thinks he's allergic!). When we were looking into it I came across this site:

http://www.northstardogs.com/

Maybe it will help some.

 

[bumpysheep]

We'd looked into getting a dog for our son but didn't end up doing it. Mostly due to his minor fear of dogs (it's their dander he's scared of---he thinks he's allergic!). When we were looking into it I came across this site:

http://www.northstardogs.com/

Maybe it will help some.

I second Northstar. I know a child that got his dog this summer through one of their progrms. Patty Gross is very nice and helpful and understands public access laws.

 

[newtowdw1]

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?

I think, with years of dog experience to back it up, get the socialized, trained dog. $1000 is a lot of money, but to get the kind of dog you'll get a good deal. A puppy, a pound/rescue dog, a breeder's dog...none of them will have gone through the extensive work the socialized dog has. I think this is a bargain, and an excellent idea.

Not every dog is capable of working this way. You would be getting a dog with a 'guarantee' and support. I really think this is the way to go.

FWIW, I've been breeding and showing and grooming dogs for 23 years. I really do know dogs.

If allergies are a worry, Poodles are low allergen dogs. We have a standard and it's the best dog I've ever owned.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Interesting and informative thread. I for one am glad the distinction was made between therapy dogs and service dogs, it's obviously important information.

I just wanted to add that although $1000 is nothing to sneeze at, buying a purebred puppy can easily cost that amount - without all the training involved to transform the dog into a helping animal. To get a fully trained therapy dog who will enrich and enhance the life of an autistic child is truly priceless.

 

[BionicEar]

If allergies are a worry, Poodles are low allergen dogs. We have a standard and it's the best dog I've ever owned.

Amen to that. I have a miniature poodle, and I've never had problems with allergies since I got her 12 years ago. The best part? Poodles don't shed. They actually have what looks more like hair instead of fur, and it comes out when you brush them.

On a funny note, my little poodle is vain and likes to get in the shower with me to get clean. My dog is not a trained service dog; although I did look into getting one. All I needed really was a dog to alert me to certain situations, like someone at the door, etc. She'd be a terrible guard dog, though. If a burglar were to get into our house, she'd just lick him to death. She's more of a cuddle bunny than anything else.

On a serious note, a therapy dog would be great for autistic kids. Let us know how things work out when you do get one.

 

[Nik's Mom]

You are right. Considering that these are trained dogs, it definitely is worth it. I know the dogs go through tests first to see if they have the right temperment, then if they pass, they go through the training program.
I think we will wait until after we come back from our Disney cruise in late May. I wouldn't want to have to put the dog in a kennel while we are on vacation. That might cause more stress on our ds.
Thanks, everyone.

 

[dzorn]

DD is on a wait list for a theraphy dog. The normal wait time with the group we are going through is 12-18 months.

Denise in MI