Service dogs are changing the lives of children with Autism

Having a predictable companion a child can grow up with might be most important for a child with Autism.

Katie Rule, the placement and training director for the Autism Service Dogs of America, tells KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz Show the dogs allow them to get out into the community while feeling safe.

“Dogs have the natural ability to bring down blood pressure, which allows anxiety to be brought down,” said Rule.

Crowds, noises, and touches are hard for the children. The dogs are a predictable component that allow a child to feel safe.

Rule explained that they get the dogs at an early age – about 8-10 weeks old. The dogs are immersed in a two year training program. Most of of the dogs live with volunteers who help them prepare them for unpredictable noises and movements.

Rhoni Golden, mother of an Autistic child, said she first learned about the service dogs while watching a news story about their benefits. She immediately started researching.

“It was pretty obvious right away that it was going to be a good fit for us.”

She said her son is a very low functioning child with Autism and it was extremely difficult for him to be in public. He uses an iPad to communicate and he tends to run off in public spaces.

Golden said just today, she took her son and two other children to the museum, and stopped at a park with food trucks.

“It’s all stuff that would have been impossible without Hope,” said Golden.

Rule said they see benefits across the spectrum, but but each child’s experience with a service dog varies.