How an Assistance Dog can help a child with Autism

These specially trained dogs support children and adults with autism in a number of life-changing ways, including improving their non-verbal skills, providing emotional support and protecting them from dangerous situations.

Assistance Dogs Australia have helped over 55 families with autism, providing Assistance Dogs free of charge and giving consistent support through workshops.

Before they start their working life with a family, the Assistance Dogs undergo two years of intensive training where they learn a number of specialised commands and behaviours.

In addition to following up to 50 commands, the dogs utilise ‘intelligent disobedience’, ignoring the wishes of their owner if they sense that it will put them in danger.

 Assistance Dogs are also trained in alert barking, where they can continuously bark or seek and find a family member if their owner is in trouble. 

Mother of two, Sue Betts, knows first-hand how an Assistance Dog can change the life of a child with autism. She received Viva the Assistance Dog for her son Toby seven years ago from Assistance Dogs Australia.

‘’Initially Viva provided company for Toby, but as Toby got older she became much more than that.’’

Assistance Dogs are trained to pick up on emotional cues from their owner, sensing when they feel anxious and providing body contact and comfort to ease the anxiety.

‘’She became attuned to his moods and if he became agitated she would try to calm him.’’ Sue said.

They also give their owner a sense of independence and responsibility, ‘’Toby has developed more responsibility as he walks and fed her daily.’’

‘’Viva had a positive impact on the whole family and I don’t know what we do without her.”

To find out more about Autism Assistance Dogs, you can attend a PAWS workshop, a specially designed workshop that aims to bring together parents, dog instructors and occupational therapists to share experiences and explore the benefits that a therapy dog might have within the family.

Upcoming Workshops

Venue:  Mackenzie State Special School, 26 Vivaldi Place, Mackenzie, QLD, 4152.  Dates: July 18th, July 25th and 1st August 2015

Venue:  Lady Bug House, 160 Milleara Road, Keilor East, VIC, 3033     Dates: August 15th, August 22nd and August 29th 2015

 Email paws@assistancedogs.org.au for more information.

##End

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assistance Dogs Australia: Founded in 1996, Assistance Dogs Australia is a national charity which trains Labradors and Golden Retrievers to help people with disabilities, providing them with greater freedom and independence. Dogs are placed free of charge, to a wide range of clients, including families with autism, post-traumatic stress sufferers and wheelchair users. It costs in excess of $27,000 to train and place a dog, and Assistance Dogs Australia receives no government funding.