PRESS ALERT
DOGS FOR THE DEAF ANNOUNCES DOGS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Contact Person: Sena Short 541-826-9220
Dogs for the Deaf, the oldest and largest Hearing Dog program in the U.S., has expanded its program to include Autism Assistance Dogs for children with Autism. With the incredible rise in the rates of Autism, Dogs for the Deaf wants to help meet the need for providing specially trained dogs to help children with Autism and their families. The specialized training these dogs receive will greatly enhance the child’s safety and provide for improved family relationships and dynamics.
Children with autism frequently bolt and run, sometimes ending up in unsafe situations such as streets, lakes, rivers, etc. Autism Assistance Dogs wear a special harness, and the child is tethered to the dog’s harness. This gives the child some freedom of movement and enables the parent to actually let go of the child’s hand or arm. The Autism Assistance Dogs are trained to serve as an anchor if the child tries to bolt and run by sitting and staying, thus preventing the child from being able to run away. These dogs also tend to lessen the “meltdowns” that children with autism are prone to during transitions from one activity to another. Studies also find that these dogs enhance the eye contact and bonding abilities of the children.
One mother of a child with Autism in Canada said that she was never able to let go of her child outside of the house until the Autism Assistance Dog arrived. Another said that the night after the dog arrived was the first time her six year old Autistic child slept through the night.
Ginger, a Black Labrador, is the first Autism Assistance Dog completing training at Dogs for the Deaf. She is ready for placement with a family affected by autism , and applications are being accepted. For more information, go to Dogs for the Deaf’s website www.dogsforthedeaf.org or call Sena at 826-9220.
