A friend of mine in the US just pointed me to a study about autistic children and "assistance dogs". Apparently, they're getting some amazing results - children who freak out constantly in public, on public transport, cannot be convinced to walk on a lead or holding hands, are sitting quietly with their assistant dog companions, behaving - the dog can even distract a child from a typical autistic "temper meltdown" merely by putting a paw on the child's arm, or picking up a ball.

I don't have a dog, but I used to train and raise Samoyeds. I've spent most of my day writing to various rescues, charities, and aid-dog trainers to see if I can get a bit more information and perhaps a hand with this. The problem I'm coming up against however is most dog-aid trainers aren't training animals for any child under 18 - there's maybe one in the whole of the UK. Then there's the shelters; they won't house dogs with young children (until I remembered Sams and how gentle and awesome they are with kids, so I'm chasing up the Samoyed Rescue).

is there anyone out there who does dog training, works with disabled dogs or something along those lines who can point me in the right direction? I've trained dogs before, but not for this in particular; I've already ordered "Golden Bridge" which details some points about training a dog to deal with autism spectrum disorders, but I could use some help regardless as I'd like to make sure I'm not just grasping at straws.

Sorry Oya, can't help you at all, but you may be able to help me. rather than take the thread away from your request for help, I have pm'd you.

my ex is a police dog handler and so is her new husband, his dog is a "bomb" dog, one that is used to detect explosives, its a springer spaniel apparently they are really intelligent dogs that dont need as much exercise as other intelligent breeds like border collies, i will ask her for advise and get back to you, in the mean time i would imagine contacting the kennel club would be the most obvious first move for information.. good luck.

Thanks, I'm querying round as much as I can. The only problem with small dogs is my son is a very big lad (at three he looks five) and a small dog may find itself rather quickly bullied. I've been told to go for labradors, but I'm not very fond of the breed, to be honest. I was told German Shepherds won't work due to their over-protective natures, and so I've also steered away from Rotts or Akitas. I suppose retrievers would work as well, but some golden retrievers have a rather nasty mean streak.

I've just written to the Paws for Kids charity for a bit of help on the subject, and I've also called the Samoyed rescue - thanks for offering to ask your ex, as any advice on which direction to go would be brilliant. I'll look into Kennel Club as well

And of course I have to ask my very tolerant landlord about requirements (this would fall under disabled requirements I believe) and also attempt to convince my ex to take the dog with him on trips, as he doesn't like dogs atall.

Complicated...but if it works, I'll crawl ten leagues to see it done.

Pity about how you feel towards labradors Oya. They are one of the most docile dogs I know, and generally great with kids too. They also tend to be fairly long lived. Ours was 15 and her mother was 18 when they went.

if you can get little doggy coats and hats then I don't see why you can't get dog trainners as well; though personally I do not condone this type of canine cruelty...

Yeah I just don't do labs - maybe it's their penchant for ear infections as they spend most of their time in water. I may need to reassess as this is more about my son than about me though I will be the primary carer and trainer so it's got to be a dog I can click with. I know Samoyeds though - big fluffy smiling fluffballs that can pull a car out of a ditch if need be and just grin and want to do it again.

We'll see, there's so many things I need to look into, not the least of which whether I'm trippin' or not.

And I would, but he's a stunt artist, he's probably used to it - or maybe he'd do a really cool stunt fall, which might just be interesting to watch. *ponders*

Hi
These links might be useful. You may in fact have them already.

www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/print/CTVNews/1046355847044_39?hub=WFive&subhub=PrintStory

www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/profilenews.cfm?pagecode=ISSICMLN&areacode=ld_communication_news&id=4459

www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2004/October_04/10152004_07.asp

www.petplace.com/dogs/program-uses-dogs-to-help-autistic-kids/page1.aspx

No I hadn't seen those yet, though I do know what school they're talking about in the States. They're trying to get some associate trainers in the UK...if I didn't have so much on my plate right now and a rather small house I'd volunteer like a shot.

Thanks for these!

I just want to update on this as I feel it's important - forgive me if this turns into an infomercial:

I've been writing to charities and things for several days and I keep hearing the same thing "We don't train for children below 16" "We won't place dogs with autistic children because we don't want the dogs abused" (gods, have you even MET my son, quit thinking Helen Keller!). I had ordered a book called "Golden Bridge - Assistance Dogs for Autistic Children". I've just had a read and I was really struck by its candor and lack of trying to "sell" the idea to me solely to boost ratings. It was written by a woman who found herself in the same situation I'm in now, and she decided to try and do things herself. The organisation is called "North Star Foundation", it's entirely donation run, and she operates under the code that they help anyone, anywhere, with training assistance dogs for autistic children. So, I sent her an email on the off chance she might read it.

I got a reply within an hour. She's sending me DvDs, training packs, and says I can write to her anytime I get stuck or have a question - she isn't even so much as charging me postage. I'm humbled at her generosity.

I don't have a bank card to give a donation right this moment (my son got ahold of it again) but when I get another in the post, they're going to get as much as I can afford.

I won't turn this into a charity-recruit thread, but if anyone is interested in helping a bit, or perhaps knows of a friend of a friend with an autistic child who is going a bit mad and has no idea where to turn, PM me and I'll share the link.