How could service dogs help?

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Service dogs can provide a wide range of support for individuals with autism, helping both children and adults manage symptoms and navigate daily life more independently. 

 

Safety and Tracking

• Preventing Wandering: Service dogs can be trained to prevent an autistic person from bolting or running away, which is a common concern, especially with children.

• Tracking: If the individual does wander, dogs can be trained in search-and-rescue tracking to help locate them quickly.

 

Emotional and Sensory Regulation

• Deep Pressure Therapy: Some dogs are trained to apply gentle pressure by lying on the person’s lap or chest, which can have a calming effect during meltdowns or sensory overloads.

• Interrupting Repetitive Behaviors: They can nudge or distract the person if they start engaging in harmful or disruptive stimming.

 

Social and Communication Support

• Social Bridge: Dogs often serve as a social icebreaker, helping autistic individuals feel more comfortable in social situations or encouraging interaction with others.

• Routine and Responsibility: Caring for a dog helps create structure and daily routines, which can be comforting.

 

Anxiety and Emotional Support

• Calming Presence: The consistent, non-judgmental companionship of a dog helps reduce anxiety and stress.

• Alerting to Emotional Changes: Some dogs can detect changes in mood or behavior and respond to avert meltdowns or anxiety attacks.

 

Improving Independence

• With the dog’s assistance, individuals may feel more confident going out in public, attending school, or trying new experiences, helping them build life skills and independence.

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Service dogs for autism are typically trained by accredited organizations and tailored to the individual's unique needs. These dogs often undergo:

• Task-specific training (e.g., tethering, alerts, pressure therapy)

• Public access training to behave properly in any environment

 

Service dogs help people with seizures by detecting early signs of a seizure and responding in ways that keep the person safe.

They may:

• Alert others for help.

• Stay close to protect the person from injury.

• Retrieve medication or a phone.

• Provide comfort during and after the seizure.

• Some dogs can even sense an oncoming seizure before it happens, giving the person time to get to a safe place.

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Important to note

*Not every person with a disability likes animals. Even though someone with a disability might tolerate the family pet, it doesn't mean they love animals. Pay attention to their behavior when they are around animals to make sure it's the best decision for them especially if they are non-verbal. Don't make the mistake of assuming it's what they want.