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The SMART
Foundation supports facility dog and individual placement
programs to assist children with Autism. Assistance dogs make it
possible for many people with physical, psychiatric and
cognitive disabilities, including Autism to participate in
everyday activities and allow them to pursue their fullest
potential. A service animal, like any other reasonable accommodation,
should be an option to any person with a disability who
would benefit from such a placement.
A lack of understanding
about Autism combined with a national shortage of qualified
expertise makes these specially trained companions a bridge to develop social, communication and
emotional skills with the world around them for many children. Autism
Service Dogs require special
breeding, temperament evaluation and training enabling them
to meet the individualized needs of a child with a spectrum
disorder to provide
the greatest benefit to their partner.
Service dogs perform a
variety of critical functions that accommodate the needs of
individuals with Autism. Families with service dog
placements report improvements including
alleviating anxieties and sensory impacts by focusing their
partner to calming
effects and reducing physical symptoms, stresses and mental
effects. Families also report benefits beyond those to the
child with Autism, but the affection, comfort and enjoyment
received by the entire family.
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Autism
Service Dogs in the News: |
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Autism
Service Dog Videos: |
Animal
World |
North
Star |
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Autism Dog
Books:
THE
GOLDEN BRIDGE: (Purdue
University Press, July 2006) |
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Autism Dogs were
featured in the AKC Gazette
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September
2008 Edition. |
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