Although you don’t need a service dog for autism, it can be an excellent idea for some families for many reasons.
• A dog makes an amazing, loving companion and will help a person with autism be happier and keep them company. It could also be a good conversation starter when talking with other people which can boost confidence.
• It is a good learning experience for the person as they are learning to take responsibility for an animal.
• It helps them get outside more to take their dog for walks and go to parks, this is also great for socializing.
• A well-trained dog will also make them feel more safe and secure!
So, should you get a service dog for someone with autism? It really depends on your situation. Is it suitable for your family? Is your living area appropriate for a dog? Does the person with autism want a dog or like a dog?
It should be a decision made by the family and input from the person with autism should be taken into consideration always. After all, the dog would be for them.
What are the best breeds for an Autism Service Dog?
Labrador Retrievers, Labradoodles, and Golden Retrievers are most recommended for the role simply because they have all the traits a good service dog needs to be successful. They are a good size, they are excellent with kids, they’re intelligent, they have a calm temperament. There is rarely a bad thing you can say about these dog breeds! They make a perfect family dog too.
Another excellent breed is a Saint Bernard dog. These are gentle, kind, and again, excellent family dogs. Due to their size, they may not be best for small children, but simple tasks are a piece of cake for these dogs!
More breeds to consider would be a German Shephard, Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog, Beagle, or a Lassie. These are all intelligent breeds that make excellent service dogs and family dogs.
What Training does an Autism Service Dog Need?
These dogs are trained to keep their companion safe and content. They are commonly attached to the child with a belt to keep them away from danger, so they need to be trained to do this successfully and not hurt, trip up or run away from the child. This skill may take some time and training. They must be able to listen and obey commands amazingly from their owners in order to do their job correctly. The training takes a lot of time for the dog to be on best behavior, therefore, the training usually begins when the dog is much younger so they are used to being on excellent behavior.
How Much Does an Autism Service Dog Cost?
The most common cost is around 17,000 euros. Although if you want to train your own service dog, you can do that in the comfort of your own home! Just be sure you are doing exactly what you should be because it doesn’t always work for every dog. You need to ensure your dog is completely able to do its job right and keep the person with autism safe, happy, and comfortable.
How Will a Service Dog Benefit Someone with Autism?
A service dog can benefit anyone in many ways. They are mainly helpful with guiding people with a disability through their everyday life. For example, blind people, people with mobility problems, diabetics, and people with autism! Service dogs also really help people's confidence and make them feel safe and happy! They provide love and care for their owners as well as helping them throughout their day.
For someone with autism, a service dog will help them experience how to take care of an animal as well as showing them what it is like having a furry companion. It will also make them overall happier! Who wouldn’t be happy to have a fluffy friend to take care of them? It gives them opportunities to make so many memories!
There are much more positives than negatives of having an Autism Service Dog. Negatives would be if the person fears dogs or if your living space isn't suitable. Maybe it could be too expensive for some families. You must keep in mind that a service dog still requires all the necessary needs of an ordinary pet, food, water, etc. These things also cost money!
