longhorngal
Active Member
I know some minis have been trained as service animals for the blind but I'm wondering if they have been trained in other service areas too. There are dogs that are trained for kids with Autism. Here's an article link but there's alot more on the web...http://www.irlfunds.org/your_money_at_work/projects_guidedogs.asp
Alot of kids with Autism are "runners" and will dash off which could certainly be tragic if they get in the street or get lost. The service dog is attached to the child and braces himself against the child moving. Sometimes they are trained to move in front and block them. Also, just the animal itself lends the child to calmness and better interaction skills. One thing I've read that can be a problem is if the dog isn't raised with the child it can be hard for him to become accustomed to typical Autistic behaviors and become stressed. I believe ideally it's best for the dog to be raised with the child but if the parents can't train it themselves than it's not much help is it?
So, I'm wondering about minis. Maybe even mini donkeys. I have one that can put on a heck of a brace and not budge :bgrin ! Also, my mini gelding and the mini donkey have never seemed to be bothered by my daughters behaviors. I have a 9 y/o daughter with Autism. Thank God she is high functioning and we are working towards recovery, she's doing great now but up until about a year ago it was really hard to take her in public.
For some reason I woke up in the middle of the night with this on my mind so I though I would ask. Anyone have any info?
Cara
Alot of kids with Autism are "runners" and will dash off which could certainly be tragic if they get in the street or get lost. The service dog is attached to the child and braces himself against the child moving. Sometimes they are trained to move in front and block them. Also, just the animal itself lends the child to calmness and better interaction skills. One thing I've read that can be a problem is if the dog isn't raised with the child it can be hard for him to become accustomed to typical Autistic behaviors and become stressed. I believe ideally it's best for the dog to be raised with the child but if the parents can't train it themselves than it's not much help is it?
So, I'm wondering about minis. Maybe even mini donkeys. I have one that can put on a heck of a brace and not budge :bgrin ! Also, my mini gelding and the mini donkey have never seemed to be bothered by my daughters behaviors. I have a 9 y/o daughter with Autism. Thank God she is high functioning and we are working towards recovery, she's doing great now but up until about a year ago it was really hard to take her in public.
For some reason I woke up in the middle of the night with this on my mind so I though I would ask. Anyone have any info?
Cara