A boy with autism and a dog with patience: How a service dog changed a 4-year-old’s life

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A boy with autism and a dog with patience: How a service dog changed a 4-year-old’s life
Topic Started: Jan 5 2014, 09:40 AM (191 Views)
goldengal	Jan 5 2014, 09:40 AM Post #1
Mistress, House of Dogs Posts: 11,674 Group: Member Member #715 Joined: March 31, 2010	Quote: Atlas Anderson, 3, is one of the youngest kids with autism to get help from a service dog. It was 8:45 on a Thursday morning, cold enough for puffy winter boots but not cold enough for snow. Kat Anderson woke up rooting for at least a dusting, but the sidewalk was perfectly clear. As maybe only mothers of children with autism know, a length of bare pavement that looks harmless to ordinary eyes rarely is. Ordinary eyes don’t notice the cracks and splotches of paint that can become an obsession for some kids or even make them bolt into traffic. Atlas Anderson, 3, was going to walk to school, tied at the waist to his new Labrador and golden retriever cross. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/01/04/atlas_walks_to_school.html Stories like this choke me up. I hope the Star updates on us on how Harris helps Atlas. Take care, Pat



Darcie	Jan 5 2014, 10:00 AM Post #2
Skeptic Posts: 31,154 Group: Member Member #714 Joined: March 30, 2010	Wonderful for the boy, but I do wonder what it is like for the dog.



goldengal	Jan 5 2014, 10:11 AM Post #3
Mistress, House of Dogs Posts: 11,674 Group: Member Member #715 Joined: March 31, 2010	Well, the dogs are trained for this service. Look at how many blind people could not manage without their service dog. I had a good friend at the university whose Golden Reliance got her from class to class, on public transit and when it was time for Reliance to retire, Remarkable took his place. Service dogs are used for many jobs - i.e. those with severe epilepsy, those who are hearing impaired, those in wheelchairs who cannot open cupboards, open refrigerators, get items on their own, etc. In other words, many could not manage on their own without their service dog. The list goes on and on and as seen in this case, is growing all the time. Take care, Pat



FuzzyO	Jan 5 2014, 11:43 AM Post #4
Posts: 16,968 Group: Administration Member #710 Joined: March 30, 2010	Most dogs love having jobs.



goldengal	Jan 5 2014, 12:25 PM Post #5
Mistress, House of Dogs Posts: 11,674 Group: Member Member #715 Joined: March 31, 2010	FuzzyO Jan 5 2014, 11:43 AM Most dogs love having jobs. Exactly FuzzyO. Our first Golden used to go to the bottom of the driveway to bring the paper back. Take care, Pat



FuzzyO	Jan 5 2014, 01:22 PM Post #6
Posts: 16,968 Group: Administration Member #710 Joined: March 30, 2010	Becky loved getting the mail, or carrying the newspaper or a letter to someone. She would also dash upstairs when told to wake someone up. These things were done with great enthusiasm, I often wished I could think of more jobs for her.



goldengal	Jan 5 2014, 02:42 PM Post #7
Mistress, House of Dogs Posts: 11,674 Group: Member Member #715 Joined: March 31, 2010	I just remembered FuzzyO that Duke used to take articles of clothing down to the laundry room for me. I don't know why I have never taught Montana any of those chores. She and Harley have many stuffed animals, and neither of them are rough with them. Being a typical Golden, Montana always has to have one in her mouth at the door when she greets visitors - and she loves visitors. My SIL taught Louie to put each and every toy away in the toy box, and he would name them, and Louie always got the proper toy. Montana too will go upstairs to wake people up when asked, but then again, she often goes when she is not supposed to as well. Take care, Pat



erka	Jan 5 2014, 02:48 PM Post #8
Gold Star Member Posts: 5,330 Group: Member Member #233 Joined: February 8, 2006	This month a neighbour will be socializing his 3rd puppy for BC GuideDog Services & Autism Support Dogs. The puppy is with him for 15 months and then to advanced training. The dogs wear a "vest" to indicate they are "on duty"; without the vest, they are puppies and act accordingly. Like any proud parent, the neighbour told me about Ole (his 2nd dog) passing advanced training and getting on the cover of PAW PRINTS newsletter. Here is a picture of OLE: http://www.bcguidedog.com/administrator/files/Newsletter_Fall_2013.pdf



FuzzyO	Jan 5 2014, 03:03 PM Post #9
Posts: 16,968 Group: Administration Member #710 Joined: March 30, 2010	Lovely dog! I enjoyed the newsletter.



erka	Jan 6 2014, 07:13 AM Post #10
Gold Star Member Posts: 5,330 Group: Member Member #233 Joined: February 8, 2006	GoldenGal: I hit "reply" before commenting on your article. It is a great article and I am looking forward to an update as well. About 15 years ago, I wanted to socialize a puppy for BC Guide dogs but "life" got in the way and now I don't have the energy to attend weekly classes and train a puppy. Only a small percentage of dogs pass the advance course - I know of two elderly ladies who adopted a "failed" theraphy dog.



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