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Autism
Assistance
Dogs |
Donate to our Autism Assistance Dog programme online by
visiting our charity page at Just Giving.
Simply click on the logo to the right. |
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What are Autism Assistance Dogs?
Our Autism Assistance Dog
programme is designed to improve the quality of life of families with
autistic children. It is based on the principle of providing a fully trained
dog to the parents and the autistic child along with the correct training
and support to ensure that the dog works to the maximum of its abilities.
Although each and every autistic child is
unique, many exhibit behaviours that lead to social isolation both within
the family and with other people, mobility issues and a basic lack of
awareness of danger in everyday situations.
For parents and family members, this results
in highly stressful daily life and an inability to function normally in
social situations for example not being able to go shopping or to a
restaurant. In addition, there are genuine issues of safety with many
children displaying a tendency to bolt in open spaces. |
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What are the
benefits of an Autism Assistance Dog?
Just as no two children with
Autism exhibit identical types of behaviour, so too the benefits of each
Autism Assistance Dog partnership are unique.
Some of the benefits that can be experienced
are:
- Increase safety for the child
- Increase child’s independence
- Control child by commanding dog
- Teaches the child responsibility
- Full public access to shops, restaurants,
etc.
- Positive changes in behaviour, lower
aggression level
- Comforts when upset
This new service will meet the needs of
parents for a degree of predictability in social settings for the child and
themselves. It will help to bring independence not just for the children but
for their parents.
An Autism Assistance Dog can allow the child to participate in education,
social and leisure activities, reduces the stress associated with
interacting with other people and getting involved in social situations.
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Case Study: Joe & Lacey
In 2005 Support Dogs was approached by
the parent of a child with Autism who had heard of the Autism Assistance Dog
programmes available in both Canada and Ireland. Support Dogs Head of
Training Rita Howson investigated the programme establishing a link with
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and personally undertaking the training of
this initial partnership.Support Dogs
first Autism Assistance Dog was placed with it’s new family in February 2007
and the impact the dog had on the family exceeded expectations. After six
months of monitoring and support, the first Autism Assistance Dog in the UK
officially qualified in August 2007.
Read Joe and Lacey's story by
clicking here. |
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Guidelines
for Applicants |
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The acceptance of
the family and child to the programme will depend on various criteria being
met from information gathered both in interview and from the questionnaire
form.
Applicants should bear in mind the
following guidelines:
- The child must have a confirmed diagnosis
of autism from an official body and autism must also be the primary
disability.
- The parents must be committed to their
involvement in the programme and be willing to be interviewed at home by a
Trainer and an independent evaluator. Parents must also be willing to keep
daily records of the child’s behaviour and development by the use of a
written diary and in some cases video recording.
The parents must demonstrate commitment
towards the training of the dog and be able to attend a 5 day residential
training course at Support Dogs National Training Centre in Sheffield
followed by the child training at home during the next 3 weeks.
The parents must be able to demonstrate
that they have the commitment and motivation to care for and exercise the
dog as taught by the Trainer. This includes accepting that the dog may be
required to
sleep in the child’s room for the maximum effect of developing a bond.
There must be one parent at home to look
after the dog during the day. A dog can not be left unattended for more
than four hours as it may become anxious and stressed.
There must be a safe and secure
environment for the dog to live in and have suitable facilities for
relieving itself.
Permission must be given to obtain a
medical report from the family doctor.
Applications can only be considered for
children aged between 3 to 10 years.
The child must be physically able to walk
on short journeys and be happy to make contact with the dog and display no
signs of fear.
The family must accept the
responsibilities of dog ownership and use the Assistance Dog sufficiently
to justify its provision.
The parents need to be able to understand
and implement instruction and exercise control of the dog.
The parents must accept and comply with
the terms of the Agreement and be aware that the dog may be withdrawn if
it is not being cared for or being used in an appropriate manner.
Families that already have a pet dog will
not be considered for selection as the presence of another dog could cause
training and behaviour issues.
Other children in the family must
understand that this is a special dog and that they will not be able to
treat it like a family pet, as initially the main bond must develop with
the autistic child
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