Autism Assistance Dogs

The presence of an assistance dog has been shown to have a calming effect on autistic people

Exploring the impact that our furry heroes can have on the lives of autistic people

There is a reason behind the old adage that a dog is “man’s best friend”, the common colloquialism used when talking about our canine buddies. It should really be updated to “human’s best friend” because dogs do not discriminate between genders. They also don’t discriminate against sexuality, age, ability, race, religion or on any other basis. Dogs are pure, innocent, intelligent and beautiful animals that make wonderful pets and companions for people, but they can also do so much more. Dogs have a strong bond with humans, something that has been cultivated over thousands of years; they can be loyal, protective, caring companions and they are naturally intelligent which lends itself well to learning new skills. Discussions of using dogs to assist blind or disabled people can be dated back to the 1700s, with the first official guide dog being issued to a blind war veteran in 1916 in the UK. Since then, guide dogs and assistance dogs have been trained to assist people with everything from loading the washing machine, to helping dress, to recognising when someone is about to have a seizure. Their abilities are nothing short of amazing.

LIVING WITH AUTISM

More recently charities have been set up to train dogs to assist autistic people, who may experience difficulties accessing public spaces due to anxiety or sensory overload, having trouble sleeping, attending hospital appointments, being in busy environments, focusing in educational or work settings. Autism assistance dogs are trained specifically to assist with these circumstances. They are trained in deep pressure therapy which can help to regulate a person’s emotions and promote a sense of calm. In much the same way that a weighted blanket works, autism assistance dogs can help apply deep pressure therapy to help children or adults sleep, to provide calm during medical procedures, or in high anxiety or emergency situations. They can also alert owners when an alarm goes off for medication reminders. The presence of an assistance dog has been shown to have a calming effect on autistic people. Having an intuitive dog by their side who will respond appropriately in times of anxiety or uncertainty helps to improve that person’s confidence and ability to interact in social situations, and access the world around them.

BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN

Autistic children can benefit in so many ways from the presence of an autism assistance dog. They can help introduce routines for children, they can help them dress in the morning and undress at night, their presence can also help reduce any risk or danger when out in busy environments. Often autistic children may find their environment overwhelming which can prompt them to try to break away from wherever they are, this can lead to them running away from parents or carers. If the child is walking with their canine companion this can provide a grounding feeling that will reduce the risk of the child running away, thereby reducing the risk of harm or injury to the child. These dogs can also be trained to retrieve certain items, this can be anything from a mobile phone to a favourite toy for a child, or ear defenders or sunglasses that help reduce sensory overload. They can also help pick up dropped items, which can be very beneficial for any child that experiences difficulty with fine motor skills too. The presence of an assistance dog can transform young people’s lives, allowing them to access education, to socialise more easily with peers, and to lead a more active life. The ability to confidently participate in a classroom environment can have an incredibly positive impact on a child’s life, preparing them for future higher education and work opportunities. Having an assistance dog can also help people be more independent, tackling tasks on their own with their trusty companion by their side, from grocery shopping to accessing public transport. Their presence can help young adults feel empowered and able, something that can then help them to take steps to live independently. The confidence, empowerment, loyalty and love provided by these loyal companions can have a dramatic impact on the lives of autistic people. The positive outcomes of these partnerships have been documented over the years and serve as proof that dogs truly are a human’s best friend.

Dogs are pure, innocent, intelligent and beautiful animals that make wonderful pets and companions for people, but they can also do so much more

They are trained in deep pressure therapy which can help to regulate a person’s emotions and promote a sense of calm

APPLYING FOR AN ASSISTANCE DOG

If you work with any autistic children and you believe they would benefit from the presence of an autism assistance dog, you can contact a few different charities to start the application process. We have highlighted some of these organisations below: Autism Dogs

autismdogs.co.uk

Dogs for Autism

dogsforsutism.org.uk

Dogs for Good

dogsforgood.org