Family Dogs for Speech Impaired, Autistic & Down Syndrome Children
Unfortunately, most service dog programs do not train dogs for children with Down Syndrome or Autism. However, we have initiated the ASAWAY Puppy Program to provide family dogs specifically for families with children who have Down Syndrome, Autism, or severe speech impairments. We select pups for temperament and sensitivity. Because children with Down Syndrome often have speech issues, we attempt to select pups that can readily learn visual commands.
To ensure complete bonding, each family trains their own pup. For families that have never had a dog, we recommend you obtain one of many commercially available dog training videos. In particular, we like Teaching Basic Manners (Volume One), which is produced by the founder of “The Loved Dog”, Tamar Geller, a renowned life coach for dogs and their people. This video, while designed for a general audience, will help your special child become a vital member of the pup’s training team, even in the early stages before the pup learns a set of manners.
Children with Down Syndrome are remarkably caring by nature. These children have a deep well of love to draw from. The pups that qualify for our program are suited to provide not only well-behaved companionship, but also to serve as faithful life-long recipients of that love. Applicant families for our program must have a child with Down Syndrome, Autism, or significant speech impairments.
Our son’s Aussie is the dam for the puppies in our program. For our son and our family, she is the best dog ever. Our son, who is a 10-year-old with Down Syndrome, handles each puppy daily. From observing each puppy with him, we select the puppies for our program. At present, we have a 6-month waiting list, and growing. Request additional information by email. Be sure to include “ASAWAY Puppy Program” in the subject line.
ASAWAY Puppy Program
Questions & Answers
Q. How do you select the puppies for the program?
A. Our son’s Aussie is the dam of the program puppies. For our son with Down Syndrome and the rest of our family, she is the perfect fit. Our son handles each of the puppies every day. By observing the puppies with our son, we hand pick the puppies specifically suited for children with Down Syndrome, Autism or speech impairments.
Q. Are the puppies AKC registered?
A. No. The mother’s parents are a pair of Aussies with no papers. We selected her solely on the basis of temperament and sensitivity. She absolutely sense for our son’s needs and is eager to please. Of course, our son loves her to pieces, and that helps. One of our Aussies self-appointed duties in life is to help our son unwind after his school day. She is there to greet him as soon as he gets home. It is not uncommon for him to spend 30 minutes just loving his dog at the end of his day.
Q. Are the puppies raised in a kennel?
A. No. The puppies are handled frequently throughout the day and are thoroughly ready to join a new family with a special needs child when they leave here.
Q. Do the puppies have special environmental needs?
A. All dogs need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and these are no exception. These puppies can thrive in any climate. Our own Aussie grows a heavy winter coat, sheds moisture easily and has no problem whatsoever with winter or summer weather.
Q. Which homes qualify for the ASAWAY Puppy Program?
A. Only dog-friendly homes with a child with Down Syndrome, Autism, or significant speech delays qualify.
Q. Do you train the puppies?
A. Yes and no. Our son handles each puppy every day. You will receive a very Down-Syndrome-child-friendly puppy that will be easy to incorporate into your own dog-friendly home.
Q. How do I place my child on a waiting list for this program?
A. Feel free to contact us for more information or to place your child on the waiting list.
Other options for children with other disabilities include the Monroe, Alabama, program featured below. There they have trained dogs for police work, hospice care and seizure alert.
The Times Plus (MONROE) — They’re more than just pets — they’re professionals. From the more common service dogs, like mobility assistance dogs for the physically handicapped, guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the hearing impaired, to therapy dogs who provide the ill and elderly with cheer and entertainment, to search and rescue dogs, to herding and hunting dogs, to guard and police dogs — these canines are specially trained to act as their handlers’ eyes, ears and hands.When they slip into their uniforms, they transform from playful pet to professional pooch. And they mean business.