Today's Breeder - Issue 107 - 7

opmental disorder that affects how people interact with
others and how they communicate, learn and behave. It
is considered a " spectrum disorder " because of the wide
variation in type and severity of symptoms.
Children with autism may exhibit irritability, lethargy,
hyperactivity, and noncompliance. These behaviors may
impact families causing high levels of stress, poor emotional
coping, marital distress, and high rates of depression.
Autism can impact siblings as well as the family as
a whole, resulting in lower levels of family adaptability
and cohesion.
Since the early 2000s, autism service dogs have helped
children with autism and their families. These specially
trained dogs use calming behaviors, such as applying
pressure by leaning against a child or gently lying across
a lap, to decompress anxiety. Their ability to interrupt
meltdowns and provide confidence in tense situations has
eased stress at home and outside the home on medical
visits, shopping, school activities, and trips.
The critical part of training an autism service dog is
matching the dog to the right recipient, says Kyle CoryYaeggi,
RFI Director of Operations. " Each child with autism
is very different, " he explains. " Not only do our service
dogs perform tasks to disrupt high anxiety, they also offer
companionship and unconditional love. Additionally,
more than half of children with autism display eloping
behaviors. Our service dogs are trained to passively anchor
a child, which protects them from running into traffic or
getting lost in a store. "
Prince's puppy foster parent noticed his calm demeanor,
and potential to be an autism service dog, at 5 months old
as he laid resiliently while her cats pawed at him to play.
After months of training and attending classes with college
and middle-school students, Prince was confirmed bestsuited
for a child with autism rather than a veteran with
a disability, RFI's other client focus.
Lisa recalls when James was introduced to Prince along
with three other autism service dog candidates. " Prince had
a soft mouth when James gave him a treat unlike the other
more excited, more aggressive snack-taking dogs, " she says.
" Prince also gave James space without crowding him. They
bonded pretty quickly. "
RFI assistant dog trainer Bailey Inman works on core strength and
body awareness with this Labrador Retriever service dog in training.
Founded by former professional retriever trainer Scott
Dewey and his friend and retriever enthusiast Charles
Dwyer in 2000, RFI has locations in Waverly, Iowa, and
Sedalia, Missouri. Dewey trained and handled the 2004
National Field Champion, NFC-FC-AFC Dewey's Drank
Of Moon River, and the 2009 Purina Hi-Point Amateur
retriever, FC-AFC Castlebay's Night Robber. Although
Dewey and Dwyer are retired from RFI, their mission is
going strong.
A prominent assistance dog training facility in St. Louis
that began in 1981 to provide assistance dogs to individuals
with physical challenges and facility dogs to those in need of
emotional assurance is Duo Dogs. Director of Programs
Tracy Gellman Liebe says, " Our dogs provide stability and
independence, courage and comfort. They generate feelings
of love and affection and provide heart and soul. "
Duo Dogs trains mobility assistance dogs,
TRAITS OF A SUCCESSFUL SERVICE/ASSISTANCE DOG
* Two to three generations of both sides of the dog's pedigree have
passed health clearances for breed genetic and medical conditions
* Passes breed health clearances including tests for hips, elbows, eyes,
and heart, as well as genetic tests
* Physically sound, having proper structure, form and function
* Mentally sound, exhibiting a desire to work and an ability to settle in
highly distracting environments, such as a grocery store or school
* Intuitive nature, showing responsiveness to its partner
hearing assistance dogs, assistance dogs with
skills to provide social-emotional support for
veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder,
and facility dogs. Its Touch Therapy Dog program
certifies volunteers and their personal
dogs to provide pet-assisted therapy at hospitals,
nursing homes, hospices, treatment
centers, residential facilities, and schools.
Purina is partnering with Duo Dogs in
its new Purina Paws for Hope program at
PURINAPROCLUB.COM | 7
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24165702/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17641962/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17641962/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857858/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857858/ http://www.PURINAPROCLUB.COM
Today's Breeder - Issue 107

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Today's Breeder - Issue 107
