Ten-year-old Giovanni loves to go to the park. His parents, Alex and Kristy, explain that since he has Autism Spectrum Disorder, park outings sometimes meant that Giovanni would lose track of where he was in relation to the adult providing supervision. As Alex says, Giovanni would “get in his own world.” Now, however, Giovanni has Autism Assist Dog Pippi in his world. “She keeps him aware of his surroundings,” says Alex. “He knows she’s around and he looks for her.” And it’s not difficult to pick out Pippi. She’s the black Labrador Retriever with the bright eyes and the tails …
autism service dog
Escaping Into a World of Greater Freedom
What the term “eloping” means for one family may be entirely different for another. David and Stacey regularly worried that their daughter, Braylee, would elope. Braylee is 8 years old, so she’s not planning on getting married anytime soon. She is on the autism spectrum though, and has a tendency to flee the safety of her caregivers—or “elope”—when in public sometimes. To prevent this, Braylee’s parents had her ride in a shopping cart or a stroller when out and about. As David explains, “When she has her feet on solid ground, she’s fast. And we’re getting slower.” As Braylee’s interests …
Stella Brings Safety, Comfort and Companionship to Robbie
Robbie is an active boy. Like most kids his age, he enjoys hands-on learning and exploring. Robbie was diagnosed with Autism and thrives on calm. He is not able to cope with stressful situations, focus amid distractions, or communicate what his needs are. Robbie’s family each had to learn how they are best able to support him, but they were looking for help to make it easier and allow them more freedom to explore other activities. Roxanne, Robbie’s mother, said he has always struggled with being overstimulated, distracted, restless, and worried about his routine. He would frequently have outbursts and …
A New Friend to Make Friends
Carson is a 9-year-old boy who, like most boys his age, can be hard to keep still with his growing sense of being invincible. His excitement is contagious, his is energy exuberant, even with the diagnosis of autism. If living with a disability means having limitations, no one told Carson, who celebrates the world he sees but sometimes finds overwhelming. His mother, Jennifer, says she had noticed that he lost speech and wasn’t hitting milestones when he was 18 months old. He showed some emotions and thrived as a happy child but was unable to play or interact with other …
A Quiet Friend to Help Jackson Find His Voice
It takes a very special dog to see someone who is upset and calmly enter their space of distress to comfort them. Children with autism, like Jackson, need these dogs to help them handle the overabundance of stimulation that surrounds them. In 2014, Jackson was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder after his parents and doctors became concerned that he wasn’t exhibiting the same behaviors as other toddlers. As he spent more time in social settings, it became apparent he would require specialized support to keep him safe and happy. Jackson would often run away from people or act impulsively, not …
With the Help of Four Paws
Trent Korpela and Autism Assist Dog Georgie Second-grader Trent enjoys swinging on his tire swing and going on walks and hikes. His parents say he’s very active and always on the move. “He loves balloons,” adds Dorothy, Trent’s younger sister; specifically, letting them go and watching them float up into the sky. Trent has autism and has been receiving therapies since the age of two. Now at 8 years old, he’s adjusting to life with a furry helper by his side. Trent’s parents, Kelly and Paul, got Trent on the Can Do Canines waiting list when he was 3 and …
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