Need info on Dogs/Puppies trained for children with special needs??

Lynn - posted on 09/27/2012

Please can you help my find a dog trainer to help train my dog for my little girl that suffer from rettsyndrome i need someone quickly they can get me on 0868431929 my name is lynn by the way and i need your help my little girl can walk, talk and cannot feed by herself so you see we need your help in finding someone to help her like a four legedfriends thank you

Michelle - posted on 12/14/2009

HOLY COW 30,000.00 FOR AN DOG?

Michelle - posted on 12/14/2009

I found some golden retriever puppies for adoption at a local animal shelter here in South Carolina lastnight there are 7 puppies 5female and 2 males I am waiting to here from them today or I will be calling them when they open at 10 very excited!! thank you all for the input you have given...

Janet - posted on 12/13/2009

Thanks for that. I will look them up

Stacey - posted on 12/13/2009

There is a company called Righteous pups Australia, they have a web site

Janet - posted on 12/12/2009

I googled therapy dogs and found services that come to your hame to train a puppy to be a therapy dog. I am looking at going that way. The one I found (in Australia) charges $40 dollars for an hour session, which is alot cheeper than just normal puppy training. I'm sure other countries would have the same kind of options. I hope that helps you.

Michelle - posted on 12/12/2009

I wonder if we just purchased a golden retriever puppy and found someone local or as local as possible to train he or she if that would cut the cost as well?? More research I suppose. Thank you Renee thank you so much for replying

Renee - posted on 12/12/2009

Sorry I didn't know if you were looking for a provided dog or the process. I believe there are two main training organizations which are both non-profit. It's been over a year and a half since I last applied but I googled "service dogs for autistic children" and got the websites. Canada also has a service organization that trains the dogs. Now it used to be from one trainer told me at an autism convention that if you can get a dog donated to you that is trainable that might cut some of the costs. And that if you can get a golden retreiver donated which is the right age, health, etc. that would be even better I guess they make really good service dogs for children on the spectrum.

Michelle - posted on 12/12/2009

We aren't trying to get one for free would just like to know how to get one. Thank you for the info though really do apreciate it lot's

Renee - posted on 12/12/2009

Let us know if you get a service dog I applied 3 times and found out that my child is not severe enough to qualify for one free. They are at least $6,500 in order to get a pre-trained dog.

Michelle - posted on 12/12/2009

I posted this as I found the information inspiring for our Autistic little man and for any other families who might be considering this route??

Michelle - posted on 12/12/2009

Evaluating the Benefits of Service Dogs for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders April 2005





Researchers: Dr. Cindy L. Adams, MSW, PhD; Kristen E. Burrows, BSc



Research Significance: Autism is a major public health problem that is the most common neurological disorder affecting children. Autism manifests itself most strikingly as impairments in formation of social relationships and communication.



Conventional therapeutic interventions have little impact on the improvement of autistic behaviours. Existing literature suggests that dogs are crucial in children's social and cognitive development. Human-animal interactions may alleviate stress in children and reduce autistic characteristics and behaviours. Animals can act as transitional objects, where bonds formed between children and animals can be transferred to humans.



By matching trained service dogs to families with autistic children (six families received NSD service dogs in November), our research hopes to evaluate the potential benefits of long-term human-animal companionship. In fact, at the three month mark, most families have already been positively impacted by the service dogs.



Our collaboration with the National Service Dogs Training Centre will provide a very unique opportunity to study these dogs in a home environment. Because of the sensitive and confidential nature of this project, a specialist in Qualitative Ethology will be utilized to best capture the behaviours and autistic characteristics of interest. An animal behaviourist and an autism specialist will provide guidance with respect to interviews and video data collection.



A heightened awareness of the impact of dogs on children could serve to enhance our knowledge of family and human-animal relationships. This study will only serve to further support the health benefits of companion animals, as well as contributing to the understanding of the human-animal bond and the important role it plays in companion animal medicine.







Objective 1:To determine if there is an association between the inclusion of a service dog in the lives of children, and to determine specific outcomes such as: improved safety of the child (reduction of unsafe behaviour i.e. bolting); increased social interactions; decreased autistic behaviour (according to doctor's records); increased human-animal bond (i.e. attachment, affection).



Objective 2:To determine the impact of a service dog on parents/families of children with autism (stress reduction, increased happiness levels, increased family cohesion, increased number of family outings).



Objective 3:To describe and define the evolution of the human-animal bond.