Posted on May 13, 2009 by: WayCoolDogs

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When the subject comes up regarding service dogs and autistic children, we have a tendency to think of physically challenged adults and how the specially trained dogs help them. A different situation, the service dogs who are trained at North Star Foundation to work with autistic children need to be focused since the dog’s early puppy-hood and its natural personality and development, along with the unique needs of the autistic child.

Specially trained dogs are placed with their autistic partners fully trained at two years of age, then given handling skills for two to three weeks. The placement at North Star is made when the dog is still young for stronger bonding purpose, “ensuring the dog’s training matches the child’s needs.” Autistic children require early socialization of the animal, along with providing an optimal fit between the puppy and the autistic child for a higher quality relationship than in many other partnerships.

According to the Autistic Society, statistics on autism in children are soaring right now in America between 6 and 21 years of age. Below are listed several articles which approach the success of the dog and autistic child relationships

“Dogs work ‘magic’ on kids with autism”, by CNN

XENIA, Ohio (CNN) — “It’s the magic of dogs.”

“I’m sure there’s some sort of scientific explanation,” she says. “But I call it magic.”

Since 1998, through her nonprofit 4 Paws for Ability, Shirk has helped partner service dogs with people with a wide range of disabilities. (Read more...)

“SERVICE DOGS AID SOME AUTISTIC CHILDREN”, by ABC

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