Dogs for the Deaf announces dogs for children with autism
Yesterday (April 2nd), was International Autism Awareness Day, and April is International Autism Awareness Month.
Dogs for the Deaf, the oldest and largest Hearing Dog program in the U.S., has expanded its program to include Autism Assistance Dogs for children with Autism.
With the incredible rise in the rates of Autism, Dogs for the Deaf wants to help meet the need for providing specially trained dogs to help children with Autism and their families. The specialised training these dogs receive will greatly enhance the child’s safety and provide for improved family relationships and dynamics.
Children with autism frequently bolt and run, sometimes ending up in unsafe situations such as streets, lakes, rivers, etc. Autism Assistance Dogs wear a special harness, and the child is tethered to the dog’s harness. This gives the child some freedom of movement and enables the parent to actually let go of the child’s hand or arm. Studies also find that these dogs enhance the eye contact and bonding abilities of the children.
Ginger, a Black Labrador, is the first Autism Assistance Dog completing training at Dogs for the Deaf.
For more information, check out the Dogs for the Deaf’s website.
Comments
My son has ended up in a few rivers!
Sounds interesting.
Posted by: Casdok | April 4, 2009 07:02 PM
Very Interesting. It will help Autistic Children.
Posted by: Richie | December 3, 2010 11:45 AM
Owning dogs my full life, now particularly as an adult, I can truthfully say that the unconditional love of our pet dogs is one of the ideal joys of our lifestyles every single day. Their love, phrase, smooches and emotion is stunning on a degree you have to experience to understand. People can study a lot through dogs. They’re a treasure.
Posted by: Great Dane training advice | March 23, 2011 05:22 PM