Is a Service Dog for Autism Right For You?

Service dogs can address the following areas affected by autism by:

• Performing behaviors the child can model in therapy sessions.
  • Behaviors dog can perform may include secondary leash or handle led walking in public.
• Interrupting or alerting to early signs of maladaptive or repetitive behavior, escalation in stress or anxiety, or other responses to triggers.
  • Behaviors dog can perform may include chin rest, nose nudge.
• Providing grounding or sensory input to decrease physiological symptoms of stress/anxiety.
  • Behaviors dog can perform may include applying weight or pressure by leaning into child or lying down on child’s lap or feet.
• Assisting with mobility limitations.
  • Behaviors dog can perform may include retrieval, delivery or carrying of items, tug or push things open/closed, on/off, etc.
• Assisting with daily living skills.
  • Behaviors dog can perform may include dressing, undressing, retrieval for motor skills support.
• Providing occasion for social engagement by utilizing social stories for the child and corresponding behaviors of the dog can be developed to enhance social interaction.
  • Behaviors dog can perform may include wave, bow, fist bump, etc.

Minimum criteria to apply for an autism service dog:

• Diagnosis of autism
• Be between 6 – 9 years of age
• Must be participating in therapy or other intervention services to support their child
• Your child is excited and seeks out dog interactions
• Designate one adult Primary Handler for the service dog team, called the Third-Party Handler
• The Third-Party Handler must have the ability to independently complete Team Training, a hands-on training course and reside in our campus dorms in Sylmar, CA for 10 days.  Please visit our Team Training page to learn more
• Desire to utilize a service dog for public access and interaction, as a trio; trained Handler, child, dog
• Third-Party handler must be able to care and watch the dog during all hours of the day. The dog can’t be left with the child independently
• Be prepared to share detailed information that pertains to eligibility including personal history, medical and mental healthcare history, and references
• Ability to provide a safe, loving, healthy and stable home for a service dog
• Ability to provide for the dog’s physical, psychological and financial needs

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The demand for a service dog far outweighs our available service dogs in training and we do not guarantee that every applicant will receive a dog.  We screen and interview applicants whose needs match the strengths and skills of our dogs.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the volume of submissions, it may take up to two weeks to receive a response regarding pre-qualification. We appreciate your patience and understanding.