Published on 12, July, 2020
My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with Autism in January of this year. She loves nature and we have been looking at potentially getting a dog as a companion for her. I have heard about Autism assistance dogs and wondered if anybody had any experience of getting one of these dogs?
Not sure if it is best to get an assistance dog or just a well loved/trained dog?
I've never had an assistance dog but the topic came up on the NAS site a while back https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/media-centre/news/2016-07-14-autism-support-dogs.aspx. The message is basically to be very careful from whom you get one. This looks like the go-to ADUK accredited place to get a service dog for an autistic child. https://www.dogsforgood.org/how-we-help/assistance-dog/autism-assistance-dogs-children/ A few things I noted reading the website/information guide that might be worth thinking seriously about;www.dogsforgood.org/.../Autism-Assistance-Dogs-for-Children-Information-Guide.pdf
The downsides of a regular pet dog, in comparison, are; Obviously you couldn't take it in many public places. Puppies are difficult and may be incompatible with an autistic child who doesn't like loud noise/unpredictable fast movements. An adult dog, on the other hand, is generally of an unknown background and may be frightened by the child if she is distressed and making loud noises/sudden motions herself. What I might suggest to mitigate this if you did not want to go the full 'service dog' route is taking on a retired service dog (or even a young one that has failed its training for reasons other than temperament).