autism
Right: Susan Clark practices contact
training with a young dog.
Below: Vespa practices dog distraction
with Buster the Pug, image courtesy
Guide Dogs SA/NT.
Breakthroughs
bringing joy
Guide Dogs SA/NT has designed its Autism Assistance Dog program to improve quality
of life for children with autism and their families by focussing on three key areas: safety,
independence and inclusion.
T
he organisation trains around
“We want to make sure the dog
a dozen Autism Assistance remains relaxed and comfortable, Dog. The child had severe autism and
Dogs each year, with the dogs that it’ll happily lie there and continue was completely non-verbal. When we
undergoing an intensive training and chewing its bone. We also check that met, he couldn’t go outside because
assessment process. they don’t mind being leaned over he couldn’t bear anything touching
or handled – the training should be him,” she said.
Supervisor of Dog Services, Susan
Clark, said Autism Assistance Dogs
enjoyable for them.”
“Two years later, this same little
“Autism Assistance Dogs need to being a very mellow, relaxed animal, be laid back… we want a very chilled Autism Assistance Dog for the dog’s
with no hearing or body sensitivity. dog. It’s completely different to the health check. They had travelled
drive we look for in a Guide Dog.” in on the train, which alone was
the dogs into our training room and
Guide Dogs SA/NT places Autism
boy came into the office with his
an achievement. The child was
simulate meltdowns, like screaming, Assistance Dogs with eligible families, interacting comfortably with the vet,
crying and throwing things around, to providing full training and support with me, and with the whole office.
see how the dog reacts,” Susan said. at no cost to the family. For children When you witness such a change,
aged three to eight who are non- and when the parents start to see the
verbal, the program offers a unique possibilities – see their child start to
opportunity for social inclusion and have those wins – it’s really something.
participation.
Susan said “the absolute joy of
Autism Assistance Dog program is the
way the world opens up for siblings
Autism Assistance Dog can bring” as well. Brothers and sisters who
makes a difference not just for previously might have missed out on
children with autism, but for their everyday experiences can now enjoy
whole family. social activities and have quality time
“I remember the breakthrough we
autism
“Another positive outcome of the
independence and inclusion that an
saw with one of the first young clients
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require special qualities that include
“During assessment, we bring
24
we matched with an Autism Assistance
as a family.”
www.guidedogs.org.au
linkonline.com.au
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