Anyone have a service dog?

[Anonymous]

We are in the process now. Just wondering if any other parents have a service dog for their child - if so, what organization did you use and what tasks do they perform?

[Anonymous]

I have trained many of them for various folks. I do not recommend them for 90% of kids. It is a LOT of responsibility.

Common tasks I've trained include mobility work, retrieving objects, and sensory distraction to help anxiety/panic attacks.

[Anonymous]

Studies show differently. They are definitely suggested for kids on the spectrum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Studies show differently. They are definitely suggested for kids on the spectrum.

Link to studies? I've read plenty that says autistic children benefit from interactions with pets, but that's different from saying autistic children should get a service dog.

When properly implemented with a mature enough, responsible older child (high school/college), I can see benefit. But it is a LOT to manage. You cannot expect an 8 year old to be a dog trainer (and even a pre-trained dog needs consistent, persistant retraining on an almost daily basis). There is a reason why the majority of reputable agencies will not provide a service dog to a young child. Most elementary/middle school students can barely manage their own life, let alone the life of another living creature 24/7.

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/79

[Anonymous]

Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization. But the adult remains the trainer/responsible person for the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization. But the adult remains the trainer/responsible person for the dog.

So does the adult go with the dog and child too? Otherwise who corrects/retrains the dog when it makes a mistake in handling a situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Studies show differently. They are definitely suggested for kids on the spectrum.

Link to studies? I've read plenty that says autistic children benefit from interactions with pets, but that's different from saying autistic children should get a service dog.

When properly implemented with a mature enough, responsible older child (high school/college), I can see benefit. But it is a LOT to manage. You cannot expect an 8 year old to be a dog trainer (and even a pre-trained dog needs consistent, persistant retraining on an almost daily basis). There is a reason why the majority of reputable agencies will not provide a service dog to a young child. Most elementary/middle school students can barely manage their own life, let alone the life of another living creature 24/7.

http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/79

I'm also involved in raising servings dogs before they go to formal training, and interact with people who have active service dogs quite frequently. I have to agree with this. I'm not suggestion OP not get a service dog, but they are a TON of work. While they are often better behaved and more obedient than normal pet dogs, they also have unique needs (for example, often the organizations ask that you not let them potty when on a walk, can only have certain kinds of toys, must potty on a leash so you can't just open the door and let them out to the yard, restrictions on how many hours they are crated, and so on). And you want to talk about getting attention when you go out in public -- that can be extremely overwhelming, especially if a child on the spectrum is reactive to people invading their personal space. Grocery shopping with a service dog is a whole different experience.

That said, they can be such amazing companions & frankly, tools, for people with special needs. But do not underestimate the work & commitment they are. They help with many issues, but they often bring along a whole different set. I've seen a number of people get service dogs thinking it will be easy because they've had a dog before and this surely will be the best behaved dog ever, right? Well, yes, they generally are well behaved, but they're still dogs and the service component of it is a totally different thing than people expect.

Good luck OP! I hope it is a positive, life-changing experience for you! I think realistic expectations are one of the keys to success, so hopefully the above doesn't scare you, just confirms what you've already learned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization. But the adult remains the trainer/responsible person for the dog.

So does the adult go with the dog and child too? Otherwise who corrects/retrains the dog when it makes a mistake in handling a situation?

The adult is the handler. The dog does not go to school with the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization. But the adult remains the trainer/responsible person for the dog.

So does the adult go with the dog and child too? Otherwise who corrects/retrains the dog when it makes a mistake in handling a situation?

The adult is the handler. The dog does not go to school with the child.

Adding, everyone in the household educates and teaches the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization. But the adult remains the trainer/responsible person for the dog.

So does the adult go with the dog and child too? Otherwise who corrects/retrains the dog when it makes a mistake in handling a situation?

The adult is the handler. The dog does not go to school with the child.

Ahhh. This makes much more sense. "Independence" threw me off.

[Anonymous]

What type of service dog, or for what type of special need are you getting the dog for?

I mean, as a companion for a child with autism (in which case I wouldn't call this a service dog)? Assistance dog for a child in a wheelchair? Dog for a child with diabetes who will alert when the child goes low? Is your child blind? Deaf?

There are different reasons people use service/assistance dogs (which are not to be confused or conflated with therapy dogs).

I know of one diabetes alert dog that is being trained by the parents (with assistance from a professional trainer, of course) to alert them when their child is critically low blood sugars. But that's only because I see them on facebook. I don't know any service dogs for children in real life. Sorry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization. But the adult remains the trainer/responsible person for the dog.

So does the adult go with the dog and child too? Otherwise who corrects/retrains the dog when it makes a mistake in handling a situation?

The adult is the handler. The dog does not go to school with the child.

Ahhh. This makes much more sense. "Independence" threw me off.

But then, why the dog? If the dog & child are never alone together, can't the parent do what the dog would be used for? (get the child an object, redirect the child, physically touch the child to distract them, etc?) I can see the case of the diabetic alert dog, as that's something a human physically cannot do, but that's got to be the minority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Studies show differently. They are definitely suggested for kids on the spectrum.

What trained task is the dog going to perform for an autistic person that will make it a service dog?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Studies show differently. They are definitely suggested for kids on the spectrum.

What trained task is the dog going to perform for an autistic person that will make it a service dog?

https://www.pawswithacause.org/what-we-do/dogs-for-autism

What tasks are PAWS Dogs trained to do?
PAWS Dogs have over 40 tasks they could be trained in, including retrieving and delivering dropped items, tugging to remove items of clothing and opening doors. Service Dogs may pull a lightweight manual wheelchair or turn lights on and off. Hearing Dogs primarily alert and orient clients to common sounds. Seizure Response Dogs respond to a client’s seizure by summoning help or providing stimulation. Service Dogs for Children with Autism act as a constant companion to a child to help them improve social, communication and life skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canine Companions for Independence is a great organization. But the adult remains the trainer/responsible person for the dog.

So does the adult go with the dog and child too? Otherwise who corrects/retrains the dog when it makes a mistake in handling a situation?

The adult is the handler. The dog does not go to school with the child.

At least one family wanted the service dog to go to school: http://www.npr.org/2016/10/31/499876610/a-girl-and-her-service-dog-head-to-the-supreme-court