Has anyone here had any experience with autism service dogs?

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I gather that service dog programs for people with autism are almost exclusively available only for children. I don't know if there even are any service dog programs for adults. But even so - are there any people here who have experience or know someone with a service dog that has been trained to assist people with autism?



ASDA dogs must possess a particular temperament, intelligence, health, age and weight, and are raised from puppy-hood in our extensive training program for their important job.

We require the primary caregiver to train with us at ASDA headquarters so that they can learn to handle their service dog, become an ADA certified handler, and begin initial bonding. Phase two takes place with our trainer, but in the environment that the dog will actually live and work in. Both phases are essential for long-term success.

And it is the law -- By federal law (Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA) a service dog is allowed access to any environment your child with autism is allowed access: schools, parks, doctor’s offices, restaurants, beaches, movie theaters, etc. And while the service dog may go out on occasion without the child, the child does not go anywhere without his or her service dog. Time together solidifies the relationship, keeps skills sharp, and helps the child grow in life skills—time together is not only permissible, but necessary.[url]

http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/faqs/[/url]

Well, I have an autism service dog... but she wasn't trained through a program. We didn't want to add another large dog to the family either. It's really hard to explain for me, but yeah... I'm sure if you really needed it, you could try looking it up or something. I don't see why an adult with autism can't have a service dog.

Speaking of all this, there was a story about an autistic girl who wanted to see Santa. Her dog is used for her autism, but it's also for her mobility/balance issues. Well, the Santa refused to see her, even after someone took the dog out. The Santa 'claimed' he was allergic to dogs. It's really sad, considering how hard it must have been for someone on the spectrum. D:

Yes, I saw that story...

Mall Santa Turns Away Girl with Autism Because of Pit Bull Service Dog




From the ada.gov site....... Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals....snip... The service animal must be permitted to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers.

http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets/article/0,,20878830,00.html

Abcde Santos, 7, waited in line for half an hour with her service dog Pup-Cake to see Mr. Claus, but was greeted with an upsetting surprise once she finally reached the front of the line. St. Nick refused to see Abcde – pronounced ab-suh-dee – because he was leery of the 5-year-old pit bull accompanying her. The Santos family offered to take Pup-Cake outside so Abcde could have her turn, but the Santa still refused.....The Santos family contacted The Shops at Mission Viejo shortly after being turned away, and posted on Facebook that the mall reacted quickly and supportively. Shortly after receiving the family's complaint, The Shops issued a personal apology to Abcde and also posted one publicly to their own Facebook page.
"We do not condone the behavior displayed by Santa and have worked with our partners at Noerr, the company that hires our Santas, to replace this Santa with one that is more compassionate to our guests' needs," The Shops at Mission Viejo wrote. "We look forward to welcoming back the Santos family and Pup-Cake for a special Santa experience."
Noerr also reached out to Abcde and her family to apologize and offer the little girl her own private visit with Santa, Pup-Cake included.


I am glad the mall owners & the santa employing company made it right so fast, good on them.

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Autism service dogs?

Don't think I'll need one, thank you very much. Sounds a bit bizarre to be honest.