Autism Assist Dog Arlo Comes Fully Prepared

Stacy only took her eyes off her young son, Owen, for a few seconds while she grabbed something out of her bag. When she looked back at where he had been at a museum play area in a mall, he was gone. 

While this is a scenario many parents have fearfully encountered, the fact that Owen has autism compounded the threat. Fortunately, another parent helped with a safe and speedy reunion, but Stacy says, “That was the very first time that I thought ‘This is going to be a forever thing for us. He has no idea what safety is.’”

The family applied to Can Do Canines when Owen was nearly 4 years old and prepared for the wait. But waiting is difficult, especially with a child whose impulse control and risk perception are not typical.

They tried connecting themselves to Owen with special backpacks and belts, but as he developed, his strength became a concern. They were just starting to wonder if they should get a younger Lab than their 12-year-old one and begin training it themselves when they got a good-news email from Can Do Canines. “I just froze,” says Stacy. “I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, this has got to be perfect timing that this is happening.’”

Finally, 8-year-old Owen was ready to meet his new dog. And boy, was the dog ready for Owen! Autism Assist Dog Arlo was partially raised in a home with a young boy with characteristics similar to Owen’s. Stacy explains that Arlo “had been through meltdowns, the sounds, the noises,” gaining direct experience of what life with Owen would be like. Stacy cannot fathom how difficult it would be for any family to part with their dog, but adds, “Being able to do that with your kid with autism, knowing that it's going to an autism family, my heart explodes because it’s changing our lives for the better.”

Stacy appreciates the relationship Owen is building with Arlo. “I am really grateful that Owen has that friend, and that he’s really bonded with Arlo.” That connection has helped Owen improve his communication skills, as he enjoys telling his family what he and Arlo did together and what plans he wants for them. “That has been really nice to be able to see that he's able to express that.”

Equally important, Stacy can count on Arlo to help keep Owen safe in public, when she forms a tethered triad with them. She states, “Owen doesn't like to be the type of kid who's restricted a lot.” To help him understand the need for tethering, she explains, “We tell him, ‘Make sure you have his handle. You're responsible for Arlo. Make sure nobody's bumping into him and you're steering him around. You're the one that's in charge.’”

So as they charge toward the summer months of going to splash pads and beaches, Stacy says, “ I just like to be able to think of going out more and not being as anxious.  It's a nice feeling to be able to think about planning the day and going to these different places and knowing that we do have an option to tether and that we're going to stay close.”

Owen and Arlo’s proximity to each other is usually a safe bet. This yellow Lab with the black spots on his tongue and the roof of his mouth is good about keeping an eye on his boy. If they ever are in different places, though, Owen is quick with his common question, “Where is my blond dog?”

The answer? Exactly in the life he’s meant to be.

 

Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:

Whelping Home — Lindsay Merkel
Raiser — Nate Gilman, Kristina Kiefer, Laura Waudby
Special Thanks — Jackson Correctional Institution, Stanley Correctional Institution, University of Wisconsin-River Falls FETCH Program (Lexi Danielson, Brynn Menke)