Touching stories of service dogs for kids with special needs

It was July 2012. Erica Brown, her husband, Shannon, and their daughter, Claira, who has autism, were at an outdoor concert when a friend spotted Erica through the crowd and called to her. In the moment it took Brown to wave to her friend and turn back, Claira had vanished into the crowd.

Thankfully, the Browns quickly caught up to their daughter — about half a football field's length from where they had been standing. But the experience changed their lives.

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines service animals as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities." Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

"Once we arrived home, I knew I had to do something to help us feel safe in public with her," Brown says. "I googled 'tethering' and 'autism.' That is when I first was introduced to 4 Paws For Ability."

Today, Claira is a happy 4-year-old with a new best friend named Soleil (pronounced so-LAY), a chocolate lab classified as an autism assistance dog and mobility dog trained in tracking and tethering.

While Soleil's training includes search and rescue by following Claira's scent, he's also trained in behavior disruption "to help her calm down during meltdowns," Brown explains. "He 'laps' or lays across her lap to provide deep pressure, gives kisses [by licking her cheeks] and provides comfort during stressful situations by just being by her side — laying under her chair or table while eating in restaurants."

Soleil helps Claira up and down stairs or playground equipment by staying by her side so Claira can hold the handle on his mobility vest. The difference Soleil makes in Claira's life extends to her whole family. "We have had no meltdowns at shopping venues since having Soleil and only two or three meltdowns in restaurants since having him," Brown shares.

When Claira met Soleil, "We went from a family of three, to a family of four literally in seconds," her mom says. "Their bond is unwavering. He sleeps with her, lays outside her tub at bath time, lays under her chair every night during supper, plays with her in her playroom, and lays his head in her lap while riding in the car.

"He is her independence and safety all wrapped into one furry little body," Brown says.

Service dogs help support children with a number of conditions, from diabetes to epilepsy to autism. "The service dog industry has been evolving dramatically over the years," explains Whitney Hitt, community/media relations director, 4 Paws For Ability. "Many people are accustomed to seeing-eye dogs, or dogs that assist people with mobility issues. But as our agency has shown, service dogs come in all shapes and sizes and can assist a much larger group of people.

"A child who may not have any obvious visible disability, for instance, may very well have a service dog trained for seizure alert. The public is still adapting to seeing service dogs with children, and by and large do not realize the wide variety of tasks for which these amazing animals can be trained."

Brown credits Soleil's extensive training for making the transition so smooth. "We were expecting it to be harder for some to accept him since he is the first service dog in our area," she shares. "Everyone welcomed him with open arms. One restaurant even dedicated one table as 'Claira and Soleil's table.' This was the largest table in the facility, right in the middle, so that he has plenty of space under her high chair."

The organization 4 Paws was founded in 1998 and has placed more than 750 service dogs with families worldwide. Rather than have a long waiting list, 4 Paws works with families to help raise the funds to train their service dog.

"We hosted a golf tournament and raised all of the needed money to receive [Claira's] service dog," Brown says. "The service dogs cost $22,000, but the families are only required to raise $14,000. With the help of loving friends and family, our dream was met in only one day!"

Brown has these tips for families considering a service dog.

• Do your research and choose an accredited foundation.
• When possible, talk with families who have obtained dogs from the agency you're considering.
• Be ready for a life-changing experience.
• Plan to provide top-notch care. "The service dog will need exceptional care like a child, so be ready for yearly exams, monthly medications (heartworm and flea prevention)," Brown points out.

Not everyone understands how a service dog can change a child's life. "You will run into people who will question your actions," Brown says. "Be prepared to explain with class and educate them on your decision.

"A lot of people still think, 'Only blind people have or need service dogs,'" Brown says. "We have an Autism Assistance patch on Soleil's vest to help them understand what he is for before they ever ask."

Brown says while they've had fellow shoppers complain about Soleil being in a store, no business has ever turned the family away. "Service dog education is becoming more prominent in the corporate world, but the public shoppers are the ones who still need the education," she says.

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Amy Thomas's 12-year-old son, Will, has Down syndrome, which causes developmental and intellectual delays. In September 2011, Thomas met a puppy raiser with a puppy from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) while Will was taking therapeutic horseback riding.

According to its website, "Canine Companions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships." Founded in Santa Rosa, California, CCI says it has placed 4,251 graduate teams since 1975.

CCI trains and places four types of teams.

1. Service teams assist adults with physical disabilities by performing daily tasks.
2. Hearing teams alert the deaf and hard of hearing to important sounds.
3. Skilled companion teams enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.
4. Facility teams work with a professional in a visitation, education or health care setting.

For the Thomases, becoming part of a skilled companion team was a dream come true and a step toward giving Will as much independence as possible. After submitting their application in September 2011, the Thomases went through a phone interview in October, an in-person interview in Orlando at CCI in January 2012, and the two-week on-site training at CCI in Orlando in May 2012.

"Will was matched with Werner, and we are so grateful," Thomas says.

While Werner has enriched the Thomases' lives immeasurably, the match doesn't always make sense to others right away. "When I shared the fact that Will was getting a service dog, someone asked, 'Does he really need a service dog?'" Thomas explains. "The answer is no, but life for Will is definitely better with Werner. Will's school speech therapist said that getting Werner is the best thing we have ever done for Will."

"Werner gives Will a reason to interact and communicate out in the community and a way to connect with other kids," Thomas explains. "Will is not the kid who looks different or talks differently, but 'the kid with the cool dog.' If someone approaches Will and Werner, I encourage Will to ask them if they want to shake Werner’s paw. Will commands Werner to 'sit' and 'shake' and praises Werner as he does so."

Thomas sees Werner as Will's bridge from the loneliness of disability to the joy of human interaction. "Will does not make friends easily and it is challenging for him to have successful conversations. Werner is a true friend, a great listener and always there for Will."

Thomas knew boy and dog had become best friends immediately, but even she was surprised by the happiness Werner brought to their lives. "Smiles and laughter in our home have both increased a surprising, significant amount," she says. "The transitions from bed to breakfast and school to home are smoother because of Werner."

"The CCI trainers were correct when they said that emotions travel down the leash," Thomas says. "Almost every situation can be made better with a positive attitude, and Werner helps. Will is developing relational skills with his family as well as people out in the community who want to talk about Werner."

Will's relationship with Werner also has taught Will about listening and following directions, his mother says. "Having Werner has also empowered Will to be healthier and take better care of himself. Werner is a natural reminder to take walks and play — both outside and inside."

Amy says families considering a service dog for their child should ask these questions.

• Can your child be left alone in the house while the adult takes the dog outside?
• Do you have a fenced-in yard?
• Are you able to commit to keeping the dog on leash always unless in fenced yard?
• Will the child be gentle and loving to the dog?
• Will the child accept that the adult is always in charge of the leash?
• Are you willing to limit family members' and strangers' interactions with the dog so almost all of the attention to the dog comes from your child with special needs?
• Are you consistent with rules and schedules?
• Will your child follow directions regarding the dog’s care and training?
• Can you commit to keeping the relationship between your child and dog positive, not forced?
• Are you ready to love and connect with your child like never before?

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