Million Dollar Pet Pix

Irish Guide Dogs has shared their expertise with Support Dogs, the only charity in the UK to train Seizure Alert Dogs and now working to train Autism Assistance Dogs.

Irish Guide Dogs has already identified a number of direct benefits of guide and assistance dogs in the lives of families living with autism. Having an assistance dog as a constant companion seems of benefit to autistic children.

As it is for any child, having a pet dog teaches the child about responsibility. When autistic children bond and interact with their assistance dogs, there appears to be an improvement in the child's behavior and socialization skills.

The assistance dogs also represent increased safety and freedom for the child and family to go out from the home, making full public access to shops, restaurants, hotels and schools easier thus expanding the child’s capabilities to experience more from life.

Assistance dogs seem to have a calming effect on autistic children thereby increasing the child's attention span and improving aptitude for learning. It appears that the presence of the assistance dog lowers the aggression level and adds a comfort for the child when upset, which in turn helps to reduce stress for all family members.

Please check here for more information about Irish Guide Dogs and children with autism.

For more information about autism check in with Lisa Jo Rudy http://autism.about.com/

http://autism.about.com/od/autismandthelaw/u/lifeonspectrum.htm


April is Autism Awareness month...