Assistance Dog for Children with autism

by **Chococat** » Mon Aug 04, 2022 12:48 am

Does anyone know of an autistic child that has one?
I'm trying to find out as much as possible about them but I haven't had much luck.

by **bearfoot** » Mon Aug 04, 2022 7:46 am

Hi Sweetheart,

I don't know of anybody who actually has a guide dog, but my sister is on the wait list to get one for her eldest autistic son, (she has two autistic boys). From what I do know, it's very difficult to even get on the waiting list, never mind actually getting the dog. I know my sister and her husband have to go and do some training with the dog before they can take him home, but from all reports my sister has heard, the guide dogs make a really big difference in an autistic's child's life. Hope that info helps somewhat! :-8

by **Chococat** » Mon Aug 04, 2022 12:59 pm

I saw that you must apply when the child is aged between 4-10 years.
It's for my 9 year old brother that I'm looking to find out.
I didn't know that there is a waiting list.
Well more like wishful thinking that the isn't one.
We'll need to put his name down before he turns 10.
Thank you for your reply Bearfoot, It's a great help. :wv

by **SiobhanOliverSoprano** » Mon Aug 04, 2022 3:21 pm

hi sweetheart - we used to puppy walk for the irish guide Dogs and my mum keeps in touch with the trainer - she left guide dogs a couple of years ago and started up her own business training dogs. I know she's also involved with a charity training dogs for children with disabilities. I can PM you her number if you want to have a chat with her. she might be able to give you some further information

Siobhán

by **alison33** » Mon Aug 04, 2022 8:24 pm

hi im new to wol but have a autistic son of 2 and 7 months .we are currently on the waiting list for a assistance dog with the guide dogs for the blind.you do not have to be 4 to apply.the waiting list at present for a dog is up to 3 years and this is why we have applied when ds is young.there is a strict policy and not all asd children are suitable, we wont know till nearer the time.if you contact them they are very nice and will send lots of info.some of the inclusion critera is the dog must have a secure enclosed outdoor area,it can not be left for more than 4 hours alone at any time ,the dog must sleep in the room with the child it is assisting and you must not have any other pets in the house.the dog can go everywhere a regular guide dog can but they advise not to take to warm countries on holidays.if accepted there is a week long training course in cork for the family and to see if child and dog are matched.any one i have been in contact with who have one have said it was a great addition to the family .my ds is a bolter and we are very restricted at present we cannot bring him in public without buggy which he can overturn .at the moment we meet all the critera but we will have to wait a couple of years .hope this info helps

by **cheer bear bride** » Tue Aug 05, 2022 3:02 pm

I said this on off topic but my little bro has recently been diagnosed with Autism and he's gone on the list, we were told to expect a long wait
theres some info on the Irish Guide dog's website about assistant dogs for children with Autism but it doesnt go into the waiting list

by **Chococat** » Wed Aug 06, 2022 9:50 pm

What is the policy to buy the dog?
My brother is the same size as my mother & nearly stronger. I am aware of the huge cost of them but we are willing to get the money together if it meant that he wouldn't need to wait too long.

by **cheer bear bride** » Sat Aug 09, 2022 1:36 pm

I wondered that too as my dad would be willing to 'buy' one to but tbh I dont think that's possible-maybe im wrong though?

by **fantac** » Thu Aug 14, 2022 6:58 pm

sweetheart - a guy in work has an autistic son who has a dog, i'm not sure if he bought it, but i know we have had several fundraisers to do with the dog at work, which makes me think he probably did pay for it?! pm me if you like and i can pass any q's you have on to him.

by **Dairy Queen** » Fri Aug 22, 2022 4:53 pm

I know the family who got the first assistance dog in Ireland. They said the difference to their daughter is unbelievable. It's like the dog has a magic spell over the little girl. they had to go through a lot of interviews and they interviewed their other kids seperately. I don't think you buy them but they cost thousands to train. They are also very strict with the housing etc. and weigh the dog all the time and you get told off if they put on a few lbs.
Best of luck I hope you get one and soon!!

by **spanishbride08** » Sun Aug 24, 2022 10:43 pm

I met a girl in the shops a few years ago, who had a child with (what I thought was) a guide dog. I asked about it, and she told me her son was autistic, and they were taking part in a study to see what the impact of an assistance dog would be, and she found the impact on her son amazing. The dog calmed him, focused him a lot more.

It was through Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, which are based on the Model Farm Road in Cork.

by **mrsclairerose** » Mon Mar 15, 2022 10:12 pm

http://www.guidedogs.ie/services/assistance_dogs.php

by **cheer bear bride** » Fri Mar 19, 2022 9:36 pm

my bro never got his-how long ago was my previous post? The list is obviously VERY long!

by **Chococat** » Tue Jun 01, 2022 12:50 pm

My brother made it to the top of the list but he's too big for one now as the dog wouldn't be strong enough for him. He's over 5ft.
Cheer bear bride, have they not been in touch about your brother yet or did they say he wasn't eligible for one?

GreenerPastures · by **GreenerPastures** » Wed Jun 02, 2022 12:04 pm

I don't personally know anyone with an assistance dog but my sisters close friends have one. She was actually talking about it the other evening. He is a God send as this little boy is high on ASD spectrum. The family were put as a high priority on the list as he knocked his brothers teeth out and the LO had to get a false set as it could affect his speech development. Due to his erratic behaviour the family were finding it so hard to cope. Now their life is so different to what it was before the dog. He has been trained to put himself in between people and the boy. He is acts like a buffer but the boy never feels restrained and doesn't get upset. He has more freedom as his parents aren't on high alert and don't have to constantly mediate between him and his brother. They all have a better quality of life since the dogs arrival. Editted to say this boy is also a 'bolter' and has already been knocked down once. The dog is so well trained and large that he is always harnessed to the boy when they are in pubic and if he tries to bolt he can't as the dog remains rooted to the spot. He really does offer graet peace of mind.

Assistance Dog for Children with autism

Assistance Dog for Children with autism

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