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.