Autism Service Dog for Adult

Post Reply New Topic

I take your point. My friend was completely blind and had a real service dog, the kind that wears that square halter and won't let her cross on a red light. That was the friend that wanted to get me a small dog from the SPCA and train the dog as a "service dog" for my autism. Believe me, she knew the difference. What she had in mind was a dog that would help me mostly in the house - get me out of bed when the alarm goes, pester me into the shower, stuff like that. There would also be an element of protection in the dog that would sort of scoot people away from me outside. Her dog could do that, it only takes a gentle poke of the dog's nose. But we didn't do it.

The problem seems to be the use of the word "service." We need to be able to distinguish Seeing Eye Dogs (TM) from highly trained and legally authorized service dogs, and then a humble little mutt who makes life more possible. I would like to be able to be clear when I say something, so I don't annoy people unnecessarily.

I do not think emotional support animals should be given full allowance in public places. A service dog has to be trained to do a task. If in that situation, the service dog was trained to appropriately respond and help when the individual has public meltdowns, then it'd be a SD and not simply for emotional support. Look up "Autism Service Dog". That's a thing, but it's different than just emotional support.

Well I don't think I am a bozo. and I do know how to care for a dog and I do understand the commitment and possible difficulties.
I just sometimes think having a pet would help keep me calm. I often look after my parents dog when they are away. Perhaps I was wrong to suggest a service dog, I appreciate there are others in more dire need than I. Perhaps I was just being a big cheeky about the jacket.... I know my landlord is against a permanent pet, so it's not a possibility until a) I move and b) I don't spend all day at work....
Sorry if I offended anyone...I'm good at that!

I would be interested in knowing the answer to this question, too (I also have ASD).

At least from my readings, I don't think you offended anyone. I think what may have been happening was an iterative clarification of just what kind of dog is needed. And, the conversation might have pointed out the need for emotional support dogs that are highly trained & legally recognized, since not all needs are visible or physical.

I checked out the ASDA descriptions, and I think we got hung up on nomenclature. The only physical component of the ASDA dog's job that I can find seems to be as an anchor to tether the child to. A suitcase could do much the same job. Everything else you and ASDA describes fits my previous description of an emotional support animal.

I think we have a nomenclature issue here. I never argued that a emotional support animal shouldn't be certified and highly trained to function appropriately in whatever situation an AS person is likely to be in, or to respond appropriately to that person's special needs. It looks like those dogs do exist. Yay.

I don't think I'm fully understanding you. They aren't the same thing.

Hence the "nomenclature issue."

The ASDA website is not very in-depth. Responding to handler in the middle of meltdown by physically stopping them from hitting themselves and applying deep pressure to calm? Alerting when self-harm is happening or if a panic attack is about to happen? Leading the handler in distress elsewhere? Reminding the handler of important things that they need to do? All physical components that are nowhere in the description of an ESA. There are plenty of things SDs can do for invisible disabilities.