Autism Assistance Dogs
Role of a Service Dog
The Service Dog’s Role is to assist the client to achieve therepeutic goals aimed to assit that client to achieve a better framework in which to move towards a better quality of life, higher level of independence and, FULL inclusion, on their terms, into family, communitym and society at large.
The service dog will also assit the client to;
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Sleep better
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Relax and be less anxious
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Communicate better
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Walk outside and be more settled
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Encourage MORE positive interaction and conversation with neighbours and friends
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Develop responsibility, caring, empathy and focus
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Remain in place without "escaping"
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Do daily exercise
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Have a reason to get out of the house
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Draw positive attention
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To ALWAYS have a friend
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Never be alone
Programs
Early group ( 2 – 4 yrs)
Sessions assisting children to be more relaxed to aid communication and allow children to be comfortable in the presence of Dogs and allowing them to enjoy very varied sensory input that is a Dog.
Advanced group (4 – 5 yrs)
Sessions become more interactive and start to use Dog as a behavioral tool, communication catalyst and as a reinforcement in regular therapy sessions.
Initial individual program( 6 – 9)
Dog is bonded to child but used intensively by care team to better manage the child's program.
Secondary individual program( 9 - 15)
At this stage the child is now old enough to take care of the Dog and begins to form a symbiotic relationship that will last through the Dog’s life.
Transition and empowernment program
This stage is undertaken by people that are ready to underatle activities aimed at empowering them to become more independent in community and society. In this stage the dog become the mate that assists in all circumstance.