Dog helps 10-year-old function
By Leeann Tanner/For The Ironton Tribune...
Friday, March 21, 2008 12:14 PM EDT
A child with autism is finding a new quality of life with his family’s newest addition, an Autism Assistance Service Dog.
Trevor Hall is 10 years old, but unlike many other children his age, his autism has led to a somewhat sheltered life. Visiting public places and just going to school used to cause complete meltdowns, Trevor’s mother, Angel, said.
“I found out about autism assistance service dogs in August of 2006 and started trying to raise the funds,” Hall said.
Nearly 17 months and $9,000 later, the Halls were able to purchase Keno.
The Great Pyrenees was originally donated to 4 Paws for Ability, a service dog training organization in Xenia. He began his training in the Warren County Prison’s Rover Rehab program, where he spent four months learning basic dog obedience and house breaking.
Although Keno was intended for another family, when it didn’t work out, Trevor’s personality proved to be a perfect match for Keno’s temperament.
“They are both strong willed and stubborn,” Hall said. “If Keno wasn’t strong, Trevor would take advantage of him.”
After being trained in the Rover Rehab program, Keno returned to 4 Paws for more instruction. Once completed, the Halls spent 10 days in a strenuous training camp.
Before they could bring Keno home, Hall said, they had to pass a public access test.
“We went to a mall and someone watched to make sure we could handle the dog safely,” she said.
Both Trevor and Keno are outfitted for outings. Keno’s Harness attaches to a backpack worn by Trevor.
“The dog really sooths Trevor,” Hall said. “We could never go shopping or to church before, but now Keno helps us avoid the meltdowns.”
Like many autistic children, Trevor has trouble dealing with crowds and noises. Sensory overload causes feelings of panic, Hall said, but having Keno is a welcomed distraction.
“We used to have a meltdown every day, at least once or more,” Hall said. “Since we’ve had Keno, there have been two close calls at home, but that is it.”
Hall has noticed such a change in Trevor’s attitude that she hopes Keno may soon be allowed to accompany Trevor to school.
“Children with autism need consistency,” Hall said. This is Trevor’s first year at the Open Door School, his teacher will soon be taking maternity leave, and he may need to face new teachers and a new classroom next year. Hall is concerned that the changes will cause a behavioral backslide, unless he has Keno as his constant.
Keno and other Autism Assistance Dogs have three jobs: protect, emotionally support, and assist with behavior modification. Hall has already observed the benefits at home, and is working to allow Keno to help Trevor in the same ways at school.
Although the proper paperwork has been filed, Keno’s admittance to Open Door may still be a lengthy process. Sarah Diamond Burroway, spokesperson for the Lawrence County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, said certain steps set by the state and federal government, as well as the local MRDD board, must be followed.
The process begins with an Individual Education Plan, or IEP.
“The IEP governs what services are provided to every child in the school,” Burroway said. “Developing an IEP can take numerous meetings with many different professionals to decide what is necessary to provide an appropriate education for the child.”
Hall is cooperating with the procedures involved with service animal admittance to the school, but is still frustrated by it.
“I just wish they would have told me about this when we first brought Trevor to the school and told them we were getting a dog,” Hall said. “We could have finished the IEP in the fall and Keno could already be going to school with Trevor.
MRDD policies prohibit Burroway from discussing individual cases, but to her knowledge, no one has made this kind of request before.
“We must follow state, federal, and local policies and procedures to implement tools for education that might be necessary to implement an IEP for a specific child,” Burroway said.
While they wait, Hall is thankful that at least life at home has become a little easier for Trevor.
“We just want him to happy and comfortable and safe,” Hall said. “Keno has helped Trevor. He’s out there playing and having fun for the first time in his life.”
Published with permission of:
Michael Caldwell, Publisher
The Ironton Tribune
2903 S. Fifth St.
P.O. Box 647
Ironton OH 45638
Note from Judy: 4 Paws for Ability is an amazing nonprofit organization located in Xenia, Ohio. It provides highly trained service dogs in many areas, but does require that approved families raise funds to train the dog. Please consider this child whose life will change significantly upon receiving an assistance dog. Read the testimonials. Reading them could change your life. It changed mine.