In the spring of 2006 I began to research Service Dogs (SD). Of course I was aware like most everyone of the support that Guide Dogs for the Visually Impaired and Mobility Assistance dogs could provide. I had also heard about Seizure Alert Dogs and those that were trained to help individuals with Hearing Impairments. Somewhere along the way a few articles made their way across my path telling about how Service Dogs were now being trained to support those with "Invisible Disabilities" like Autism, Psychiatric and Behavioral Disabilities. Dogs were even being used to aid those that suffer from Schizophrenia and Panic Disorder.
In all my research with interventions and treatments for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder I had not come across a mention of Assistance Dogs trained for this specific lifelong disability. The more I learned about the skills that were taught to dogs to help children with Autism...the more excited I became about the possibility of a SD learning to assist Iyal!
After reading several books and researching online I decided that we should submit an application to an agency in Xenia, Ohio, called 4 Paws for Ability. They were the first agency that began to train dogs to help children with Autism among other disorders. The Executive Director, Karen Shirk, started the agency in 1999 after experiencing firsthand the limitations a disability could bring. Karen is affected by a form of M.S. Her first S D, Ben, became the model she developed to begin what is now a literal lifeline for many families.
The philosophy of 4 Paws includes every dog being trained for several weeks at a correctional facility. The win-win nature of this arrangement held so much meaning along with all the other ideals the agency represented. You can see videos of inmates training the dogs on the 4 Paws website as well as read life-altering testimonials by these inmates.
One of the things that struck me about 4 Paws was the extent to which the dogs were trained for their clients. In the U.S. a Service Dog can only be certified for Public Access by receiving a minimum of 120 hours of training over a period of no less than six months. The dogs trained by 4 Paws, receive upwards of 500 hours of training, with the handlers being trained for over 60 hours. Very few SD agencies even allow dogs to be placed with individuals under the age of 18. Because of the laws pertaining to this field, an adult must be the "handler" and accompany the dog and child at all times when the dog is out in public "working".
How do Service Dogs help children with Autism and hidden disabilities like FASD?
Service Dogs for such children assist in several ways: they provide the child/adult challenged with this type of disability an opportunity to safely access different environments which result in improved communication and social skills. The dog's presence offers a calming influence and provides a sense of security to the child and the parents. Research shows that abstract and concrete thinking advance, focus improves, and the length of attention span increases. Emotional outbursts occur less often. The important role of the SD is affording the individual more independence and autonomy, helping those individuals becomes a viable part of the community at large.
The other factor that convinced me that 4 Paws was the right agency for us is that the dogs are trained case-specific. Beyond the minimum of 6 months of Public Access training, another 4 to 6 months of training takes place using video of your child. 4 Paws provided us with a script of scenarios they wanted us to video tape. These situations included Iyal having meltdowns, tantrums, interacting with Morasha, the cats, other dogs, etc. This video then becomes the tool used to communicate to the dog what signals it will learn to assist its "human". Many children with Autism and FASD have sensory issues causing involuntary repetitive movements. These movements thus become the "signal" or "command" taught to the dog. The dog is then trained to interrupt the behavior by nuzzling the child or putting a paw on the child. Many children like Iyal require Deep Pressure to calm down an over-aroused regulatory system.. An 85-lb. dog like Chancer will provide much needed weight to help calm Iyal when he (the dog) is lying on top of him! Up until now I have "squished" Iyal on the couch by making him the middle of a “sandwich”.
Another significant concern of ours is Iyal's safety; physical and emotional.
The other factor that convinced me that 4 Paws was the right agency for us is that the dogs are trained case-specific. Beyond the minimum of 6 months of Public Access training, another 4 to 6 months of training takes place using video of your child. 4 Paws provided us with a script of scenarios they wanted us to video tape. These situations included Iyal having meltdowns, tantrums, interacting with Morasha, the cats, other dogs, etc. This video then becomes the tool used to communicate to the dog what signals it will learn to assist its "human". Many children with Autism and FASD have sensory issues causing involuntary repetitive movements. These movements thus become the "signal" or "command" taught to the dog. The dog is then trained to interrupt the behavior by nuzzling the child or putting a paw on the child. Many children like Iyal require Deep Pressure to calm down an over-aroused regulatory system.. An 85-lb. dog like Chancer will provide much needed weight to help calm Iyal when he (the dog) is lying on top of him! Up until now I have "squished" Iyal on the couch by making him the middle of a “sandwich”.
Another significant concern of ours is Iyal's safety; physical and emotional.
Because of Iyal's impulsivity, he often darts out into the street or a parking lot without looking. Chancer will be trained to be tethered to Iyal. A dual leash attached to a vest on Iyal and to me, will afford an opportunity to keep Iyal from running out into danger. This particular skill is also used for kids who tend to wander away from their parents. (Search and Rescue dogs are taught how to find their human for many families where this is a great concern.) Iyal's emotional safety is intertwined with a great sense of vulnerability. Individuals with FASD are easily taken advantage of and exploited. Iyal will do virtually anything to make a friend. We know that 90% of individuals with Developmental Disabilities will be abused at some point during their lifetime.
It is my hope that while Chancer will provide "social lubrication" easing Iyal's way into social interactions...hopefully the presence of a large dog will deter someone with less than honorable intentions.
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