ACMESkydiver 0 #1 July 14, 2006 It's a dog that is trained to assist individuals with Autism, and they can do some AMAZING stuff!!! Here's a start: Be able to stop child from running into a dangerous situation (traffic) Search and Rescue training (Autistics escape and wander like Alzheimer's patients) able to give a ‘paw’ cue to interrupt inappropriate behavior, or lay on child’s lap to stop self-inflicted injury (head-banging is the worst). Now of course adults always intervene in the above situations, but Autistics 'listen' to animals better than people in many cases. We want to give them the opportunity. One of the BIGGEST benefits to service dogs to Autistics, besides added safety, is the bond the dog develops with the child. Autistics freqeuntly have few friends if any; canines can help fill in the gap, and even help the child interact with their human counterparts better. We're excited about the prospect of our boys having a furry companion that is trained to help them. Now then the $14,000 per dog and 2 year waiting lists are kind of hard to take... Your ideas? Does anyone have a service dog or know people that train them? PS, we have contacted the following: North Star Dogs Paws with a Cause Autism Service Dogs of America Canine Companions for Independence Brigadoon Dogs Summit Assistance Dogs Dog Ears and Paws 4 Paws for Ability Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound Prison Pet Partnership Program Assistance Dog Institute in CA Many cannot train to Autistics; some are 'waiting list full for 2 years' status...most want thousands of dollars, which we are happy to fundraise for... LOCATION DOESN'T MATTER AT THIS POINT. Please help out if you have any info! Thanks! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #2 July 14, 2006 Sorry, never met anyone who actually had one of these dogs. Sounds like a good idea, though. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ntrprnr 0 #3 July 14, 2006 Contact the fine people at AutismSpeaks.org - They're a wonderful place to start, and really good and decent people. Good luck! -Peter_______________ "Why'd you track away at 7,000 feet?" "Even in freefall, I have commitment issues." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #4 July 14, 2006 In two years you might be able to do it yourself with a little help from your friends. Maybe... get a dog, hire a trainer to teach you how to train the dog. We'll donate for Scoobie snacks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #5 July 14, 2006 QuoteIn two years you might be able to do it yourself with a little help from your friendsThat sounds kind of like the "how hard can it be" technique. I've used it with brain surgery before . Of course, I am a rocket scientist . Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #6 July 14, 2006 Aaaah whats a lil spark?? Get that airplane up in the air!! We got 'chutes!! Uuum no, not gonna work. BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #7 July 14, 2006 QuoteOf course, I am a rocket scientist I love it when she says that. She IS a rocket scientist. I'm sorry ACME I have really nothing to add to your thread. I do hope you find what you're looking for. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Armour666 0 #8 July 14, 2006 I've seen one child that has an autism service dog at the center we go to. Our two boys both have aspergers. We go to the Geneva Centre here in Toronto so I'll see what I can find out.SO this one time at band camp..... "Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #9 July 14, 2006 QuoteI'm sorry ACME I have really nothing to add to your thread. Like THAT'S unusual... ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #10 July 14, 2006 It's not a how hard can it be approach. It's a " Hey It might work if we try " approach. Where would we be if we had to make rockets perfect before ever trying them out ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #11 July 14, 2006 I'm not disagreeing with either side here. I have been pouring over training materials, and yeah it's a LOT of work. And we'd have to 'test' the puppy for 30 days to make sure they have the right temperament etc -that means no ingrained fear reflexes at loud noise or pinched ears or feet, etc... It's a BIG undertaking, and I think we may well have to settle on a combination of pro and self training.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #12 July 14, 2006 I agree. The journey may be the cure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #13 July 14, 2006 QuoteContact the fine people at AutismSpeaks.org - They're a wonderful place to start, and really good and decent people. Good luck! -Peter I never thought of that, how silly! I'll definitely give them a try! Thanks. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #14 July 14, 2006 QuoteOur two boys both have aspergers. Bless you! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #15 July 14, 2006 There's also "Joys of Living Assistance Dogs" in Oregon, contact Joy St. Peter, 503-551-4572. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #16 July 14, 2006 Jaye, I noticed on your list you didn't include: National Service Dog located in Canada. It does have a two year wait, however. Autism Service Dogs Of America says that it can take 3 months to place a dog once the application is approved (not sure how long that takes, though.). They are located in Oregon. I'll keep researching, and see what else I can come up with...but I think the Autism Service Dogs might be a good one to check out. Good luck! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #17 July 14, 2006 QuoteThere's also "Joys of Living Assistance Dogs" in Oregon, contact Joy St. Peter, 503-551-4572. Blues, Dave I'll give her a call today. Thanks Dave! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #18 July 14, 2006 I'll give National a call...and I do have an e-mail message in to Autism Service Dogs of America in Oregon. We are KEEPING OUR FINGERS CROSSED on that one!! They are 501c(3), so businesses are more likely to donate to support 'our' dog, since they can write it off! Please don't be full...please don't be full...please don't be full... The bummer about many of these places is they are full to capacity on dogs to train, and still have way too much demand for more...hence the longer lists.~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #19 July 14, 2006 I'd love to know how the training for one of these dogs is accomplished. Obviously, he'll have to spend a significant amount of time with your boys, under constant supervision, to reinforce not only how you want the dog to behave, but how you want him to respond to the kids' actions. Do you travel to the training facility and stay there for a while? Or does a professional trainer come stay with you? Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #20 July 14, 2006 QuoteI'd love to know how the training for one of these dogs is accomplished. Obviously, he'll have to spend a significant amount of time with your boys, under constant supervision, to reinforce not only how you want the dog to behave, but how you want him to respond to the kids' actions. Do you travel to the training facility and stay there for a while? Or does a professional trainer come stay with you? It depends on the organization. Some completely rear and train the puppy on site, then the first meeting between dog and family is when you 'pick up' your dog. Many have a 7-10 day 'training' requirement; you stay at their training facility, mom or dad AND the child OR the child (it differs) to learn how to handle the dog. Some have in-home follow up. Most have email/phone support for at least 1 year; some are the life of the animal. One program DOES place a fairly well-trained puppy in the home; so it can 'grow with' the Autistic child. The advanced training is then done by local trainers, and all out of pocket at that time. There are many books and DVD's, and I intend to buy them and keep them for our reference. The difficulty would come in basic things intially; we can't take time away from the boys to teach things like house training, sit, stay, come, heal, etc. We would need a well-mannered puppy to begin with if we go the 'partial self-trained' route. Also, many dogs begin the service dog program...and some do not graduate. What are the odds that inexperienced people like us will be able to buy a dog, get him trained, and then a year later he can't serve the purpose that we bought him for? Then what do we do, give him away? Not a chance, the kids would already be attached to it, and there goes our whole purpose of having an animal in the home... We'll keep looking! I know something will come up if we keep searching. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #21 July 14, 2006 I think ASDA might be the one!!! We just got an email back from them, and it was very positive!! The UP SIDE: It's relatively close to us (3 hours), and she said they are 6 months plus out (which is way better than 2 years!!) The kinda down side: It will cost us $27,000. She said the boys would each need their own dog, which we anticipated. We will need to fundraise to reach the $27,000. Wow. Where there is a will, there is a way!! We'll fundraise our lil' hearts out! -How could ANYONE deny these beautiful babies?!?! They are a 501c(3) charity, which means when people donate to them FOR our lil' Joey and Derick, it will be a tax deduction for the donors. -That should help when we go out and talk to businesses! I'm so excited...I printed out the applications, and I am looking for their diagnosis paperwork...now I need an Rx from the doc, and a 15 minute video of the boys around a dog, and we're off to the races!! Thanks all; we will be sure to update you on our progress. This is going to be great. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #22 July 14, 2006 Great news!Umm...why is one of your boys dressed like Walt!? Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soulshine 0 #23 July 14, 2006 Is that $27,000 per dog, or for each boy to have a dog? Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity! ~DEVIOUS BEEF~~FGF #69~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #24 July 15, 2006 Soulshine, the dogs cost $13,500 each, so that would be a total of $27,000. Jaye, if I had any spare change, I'd send it to them right off. And if I get some spare change, I will (I haven't jumped since October of last year because of costs...sigh...). I also think that you might be able to get some grants for this, and perhaps your local psychology department at the University can help with that. They might even fund a bit of a study, if you're willing to do that, and take a big bite out of the cost needed. That way, all benefit, inasmuch as more understanding of autism and their relationship to animals could be studied, and perhaps some bigger benefit can be found. Hey, it couldn't hurt to try. Also, if you need some help writing up grant requests, I'll be happy to help however I can. No promises, as I've never done that, but hey, again, it can't hurt to try. Best of luck to you! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #25 July 15, 2006 O.K., some places for grants: CureAutismNow has a grant for therapy/treatment work. Dunno how much, but some is better than none. Doug Flutie's Organization A quick read through makes it seem you're geographically undesireable, however, there are "Educational" grants are available. It might be worth a try via that avenue (written so that it can be justified; i.e. the boys can't go to school unless they have the dog, et cetera...). The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation seems to offer lower amounts, but also seem interested in helping people and their families affected by ASD. A listing of those who've sent grants to someone/corporation Looks like a great place to comb through and see if there aren't grantors there that you can use. Hope this helps. I'll keep digging around, and seeing what I can come up with. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
