Service Dogs for Autism Care

If you are an autism care taker, you most likely know the challenges autism care presents on an everyday basis. The need to care for your loved one on the spectrum can be overwhelming, and with a lack of autism support, constant care is sometimes your only option.

At Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, it’s our mission to help families who struggle with the constant demands of raising an Autistic child. We train our service dogs to understand all aspects of autism, so you feel like you have a caretaker, friend and guardian. SDWR service dogs are the best dogs for Autistic children for a number of reasons. Read to to learn why assistance dogs for autism are great for providing autism care.

They Prevent Physical Harm

Characteristics of autism include self-injurious behavior and unexpected elopment. Both behaviors could result in physical harm if not paid immediate attention to. When a child on the spectrum engages in self-harm, his or her service dog is there to intervene their behavior. If a child tries to elope, the child’s service dog hinders them from wandering. Assistance dogs for autism are there first and foremost to protect your child from any dangers that they may come across. With a service dog at your side, preventing your child from harm becomes easier.

Assistance Dogs For Autism Provide a Blanket of Emotional Support

With autism, having your child remain calm in all situations can prove to be a challenge. Outbreaks are normal, and dealing with them can get exhausting. With a service dog at his or her side, your child will feel an overall calming effect. Children with autism dogs are more prone to remain relaxed and feel more secure with a companion. The provide emotional stability both at home and in public settings. In addition, Autism Service Dogs aid in increased social interaction, improved sleep patterns, and more.

Finding Autism Support Through a Service Dog

If you can relate to any of the above situations, it might be time to turn to a service dog for support in autism care. SDWR provides service dogs for individuals on the spectrum. Our dogs are fully trained to aid in autism support and care. If you or a loved one are in need of a service dog, please contact SDWR today.

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, SDWR is awarding five $10,000 autism assistance dog grants to those who enter our “Coloring for Miracles” contest. To find more information and to apply, please visit www.sdwr.org/coloring-for-miracles. Submissions run through April 2015.

An Update from Our Service Dog Grant Winner

At Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers, our mission is to provide those with invisible illness a safer, fuller life. Every year, we offer a service dog grant to select winners to help cover the cost of a service dog. One of our 2014 winners is Jeannie Davide-Rivera. Jeannie is a respected author in the field of autism spectrum. She herself lives with Asperger’s Syndrome, while caring for her four sons on the autism spectrum. In her recent blog post (which you can find here) she gives us a recap of all the ways her service dog for autism has helped her and her child. With only a few months of training under his belt, learn how much of a difference their Autism Service Dog Rocky has made in the life of a child with invisible illness.

Creating a Calming Effect in the Most Difficult Scenarios

If you are a caretaker or a loved one with autism, you know that tantrums are the absolute norm, and that others who do not understand spectrum disorder may not receive this well. You yourself most likely struggle with tantrums in every scenario that makes your loved one uncomfortable. Before Rocky, Jeannie mentions that her son would have a meltdown going to and from places. Leaving the house was a struggle, as was leaving any other location they would visit. With Rocky by their side, Jeannie’s son now keeps calm, 

“Leaving the house for any reason was always a fight, now when the Tot sees me dress Rocky (put his service vest on) he jumps up and wants to put his boots on to leave…”

Here’s another great example Jeannie provides of how a service dog for autism can be used as a tool to stay calm and collected, 

“A meltdown begins if the request is not met with supernatural instantaneous results. This is where Rocky came in—we began (at the trainers direction) to redirect the Tot to Rocky and practice petting him ten times while he waits for whatever is is he is needing at the time. This has worked so well…”

Not only can Jeannie find relief in the structure that assistance dogs for autism provide, her son can also live a more normal life through fewer outbreaks and a companion at his side. At SDWR, we are happy to hear Rocky has made a difference. Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers want to help families just like Jeannie’s. If you are looking for more information about assistance dogs for autism, please contact SDWR today.