Do you have a child who might benefit from owning a service dog, yet you are skeptical? Perhaps I can shed some light on this critical issue. My daughter, Brittany just turned eight, and we received her dog from 4 Paws for Ability just before she turned six.
While Britt doesn't have autism, she is pretty much mute, but with good receptive language. She also has terrible flashbacks and dissociates and is in a constant state of fear and/or panic. Some of her behaviors are similar to those on the autism spectrum. She suffers especially in three areas:
1. Complex PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).
2. RAD (reactive attachment disorder).
3. SPD (sensory processing disorder) from some severe pre-adoptive abuse and neglect.
Her dog, Max, is called a multipurpose service dog. His brother Jack is in service as an Autism Assistance Dog.
Max (we call him the wonder dog) is trained to do interrupt behaviors and to tether to her. Before we received him, we couldn't go anyplace for fear of flashbacks (similar, I suspect, to the meltdowns some children with Autism experience). Our Britt was in a constant state of high anxiety and panic. Now, where she might earlier have had to be carried, she will tether to Max and walk even in a very public place like a mall.
Due to her RAD, it's been a slow attachment process, but I know she is attached to him even if she outwardly doesn't always show us. For example, our upstairs bathroom has been a source of real terror for her. A couple of months ago, on her own, she took Max into this tiny bathroom and used it without me or any other support. This may not sound like a lot to someone who doesn't know Britt, but let me tell you, this was a major breakthrough.
Max hasn't just helped my younger daughter either-he has been a source of healing for the entire family. I've always loved animals, but to think this furry four-legged critter could so turn our household from upside down to right-side up in such a short period of time is nothing short of miraculous in our book.
How I wish you could see my youngest playing with her dog. When Max is in harness, he is all business (well mostly all business), but when he's not working he is all fun-loving dog! The 4 Paws for Ability dogs are trained to be just about perfect in public.
Whenever we go out to eat, Max is under the table right at my daughter's feet keeping her anchored emotionally and knowing he is always there as a constant for her. They are so well behaved that sometimes the biggest impediment to getting our shopping done is that many people want to stop and talk to you about your dog and how beautiful and well-behaved he is.
One last word about 4 Paws and about Karen Shirk and her staff. When Karen founded this nonprofit, there was literally no one placing dogs with children. Karen has such insight and is such a forward-thinking person. I believe they were also the first to train and place Autism Assistance Dogs.
As you well know, these kids have very complicated issues. Not just any organization could do what 4 Paws does. The reason I think they are so successful is due to not only their passion to help these kids but also their dedication to the dogs and their training, and to humanity in general.
Note: Names have been changed to preserve anonymity
Note: This article is published in an effort to highlight the value of owning a service dog for severely handicapped children. I can vouch for the authenticity of the writer of this article... Judy Vorfeld
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.
Oh my gosh! My daughter-in-law was just here enjoying the sunshine with me. She returned to the Seattle area to kind of bleak weather, but there was a promise of the spring to come.
