Benefits of a Good Dog!

A service dog enhances the life of a child with a disability through trained tasks and the inherent benefits of canine companionship.

DEEP PRESSURE

​The use of deep pressure can be used to help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and maintain calm in stressful situations. Our dogs are trained to give and receive varying levels of deep pressure through several different tasks.  These tasks are commonly used to prevent or manage dysregulation and meltdowns.

INTERRUPTING OR REDIRECTING

​Our dogs are trained to gently interrupt or redirect an individual when directed to by the primary handler. These tasks can be used to interrupt harmful or undesired behaviors such as self-injurious behavior or self-stimulating behaviors, can unobtrusively redirect an individual’s attention, and can also be used to prompt communication.

FOCUS AND GROUNDING

​Grounding techniques can help to focus an individual on the present moment, manage overwhelming feelings of anxiety, and regain focus from an intensely emotional state.  Our dogs are trained tasks that help to ground an individual through their presence and/or proprioceptive input. Grounding tasks are often used in bed at night and have been found to help with sleep patterns, benefitting both the child and caregiver.

SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATIVE BRIDGE

​Difficulty with communication, which contributes to social challenges, is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder and other related disabilities. Research has shown that the presence of a dog can significantly increase positive social behaviors among children with ASD. Our dogs are trained tasks to facilitate communication and promote social interactions.

INDEPENDENCE & QUALITY OF LIFE

A service dog inherently promotes independence and a better quality of life by: 

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• Acting as an unconditional and non-judgmental friend

• Teaching concepts such as empathy, compassion, and patience

• Promoting independence and empowerment

• Increasing a sense of responsibility

• Improving motor skills and increasing physical activity 

• Improving the quality of sleep for the child and parents

• Providing a social bridge to connect with the community and decrease isolation

• Encouraging communication and new vocabulary

• Reducing stress hormones