When you think “service dog,” you might picture a seeing-eye dog guiding its visually impaired partner down a busy sidewalk. But as an increasing number of children are diagnosed with autism in the United States, a new kind of service dog is reaching high-demand.
“These dogs are socialized at such a young age and they’re picked very specifically for just this job,” said Laura Sylvester who started the nonprofit GoodDogAutism.org in an effort to help match autism service dogs with kids.
Laura and her husband Rick built the organization after seeing the miraculous change a dog made in their own son’s life. “He used to walk through restaurants withdrawn, head down, and now he holds Orbit’s leash and walks very proudly,” said Sylvester.
Unfortunately no ordinary pound puppy will do. Good Dog uses only Labrador and Golden Retrievers, and just a few puppies per litter, if any, will pass a detailed personality test prequalifying them for consideration.
The puppies are then put through a 24-month training program where they learn specific tasks to mediate disabilities of kids with autism. The dogs are taught to redirect and focus kids who often make a scene in public.
“We’ve seen kids sleep through the night who’ve never slept in their own bed before. We’ve seen kids be excited to go to school when they used to run from the bus,” said Sylvester.
New studies have shown the dogs actually lower the stress hormones in the children by laying across their lap providing a deep calming pressure.
Today there are far more families wanting an autism service dog than there are available dogs. The high cost associated with training, coupled with the dropout rate, means each available dog is valued at $26,000.
Good Dog pays half while the families fundraise the rest. Good Dog places roughly 10 autism service dogs a year, but with increased awareness and public support, would like to see the number grow closer to 50.
Photo Credit: Steven Luke