SERVICE DOGS FOR AUTISM
Changing Lives Through Independence
Our Certified Service Dogs for Autism increase the safety of children by acting as an anchor when tethered to the child. At NSD, we are proud to be the first service dog provider in the world to provide this service to families with children on the Autism spectrum.
“Service Dogs help Autistic children by decreasing stress and improving social interaction.”
Benefits
HOW AUTISM SERVICE DOGS CAN HELP
Increase Safety Levels
Children with autism have a high tendency to bolt and have no concept of danger. Our NSD dogs are tethered to the child, trained to anchor them and take commands from the parent.
Improve Socialization
The safety and security of an NSD companion allows families to participate in new experiences on a more regular basis. Other people seeing a child with their dog sparks interest that encourages further engagement.
Suppress Behavioural Outbursts
Remaining a constant in their environment, an NSD dog allows a child to focus less on what’s changing around them and more on the dog. This reduces sensory overload and redirects the child to more positive behaviours.
SUCCESS STORIES
“So Many New Firsts Experienced, I Can Hardly Keep Track!”
NSD Clover has changed our life and the entire way Kyle functions in only 7 short months. The happiness, self confidence, courage, social, language and communication strides she has helped Kyle make are truly immeasurable. He has EXPLODED in his development as of late.
We are forever grateful for the compassion, empathy and guardianship NSD Clover loves and shares with Kyle. She is truly magic in a dog! We could not imagine living life without her. She is truly a beloved member of our family.
The Jenkinson Family
SUCCESS STORIES
“The Whole Family Gets The Rest They Need”
Each year our life changing Certified Service Dogs impact the lives of their partners and by extension their families. Autism Service Dogs, like NSD Corby, provide light or deep pressure, helping children, like Lukas, fall asleep and reduce their anxiety overnight; helping the entire family get the rest they need to meet the coming day.
Corby has made our family whole and we are very happy and grateful to all of you!
Lisa K.
SUCCESS STORIES
“With Harris It Feels Like Atlas Can Face Anything”
Atlas was diagnosed with autism a week or two after his second birthday. Life before NSD Harris was really difficult because of Atlas’s anxieties in certain environments. If we were in public anywhere there’d be a lot of shouting and he would be visibly upset. It was difficult to leave the house.
Atlas always wears a belt out in public because he’s now tethered to Harris. Harris is able to motivate him to move forward when out in public. The dog has reduced a lot of anxiety and gives him something to focus on instead of bright lights and buzzing sounds of his environment. We’ve been working with Harris for 5 years. With Harris, it feels like Atlas can face anything– things that once would have been impossible.
Harris and Family
SUCCESS STORIES
“Companionship And Support, Especially At Night”
From the very first night in our family, NSD Paddy slept with Zion. He was very happy to snuggle endlessly with Zion and offer that support at night.
Sleep is a challenging area for Zion due to fears and anxieties and not wanting to be alone. Paddy is able to provide that companionship and support at night, and a feeling of safety for Zion.
Mark and Jennifer
Foster Independence:
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Your help is needed.
If you love dogs and love making a difference, there are a variety of ways to volunteer at National Service Dogs. You getting involved allows us to provide life-changing Service Dogs that empower people to achieve their full potential. We would not exist without the hard work and dedication of our generous volunteers, both with dogs and within our organization. Make an impact today.
Properly socialized, trained, and matched Service Dogs can decrease the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, by almost 50%.
After acquiring a Service Dog, it was found:
- Autistic children were encouraged to be more affectionate, as the dogs work as transitional objects
- Bonds formed with the Service Dog can be transferred to humans
- Therapy sessions include a sharp increase in social interaction and a vast decrease in isolation
Donate today to help make an impact. Become a partner or sponsor a Service Dog for Autism.
NSD’s Client Service Social Workers walk our clients through a thoughtful, person-centric application and screening process. The demand for our services currently exceeds our capacity and we work on a referral and quota process for new applicants aligned with the number of dogs in development at any given time. Our application process is currently closed.
Each NSD Service and Facility Dog Partnership is valued at $50,000; including all ongoing support services over the eight year partnership, but provided at no charge to clients. Once partnered with an NSD Dog, clients are responsible for:
- A $250 equipment fee - Travel, lodging and food costs associated with the week they attend Team Training in Kitchener, Ontario
- The day to day costs associated with the dog’s care; including food, toys, and veterinary care.
NSD retains ownership of all working service and facility dogs and works in partnership with our clients to ensure each dog’s health and wellness needs are being met throughout their working life.
Pioneering Change
Since 1996, NSD has been training Labrador and Golden Retrievers to assist Autistic children and their families. NSD is proud to be the first school in the world to provide this service to families with children on the Autism spectrum. For more than 28 years, NSD has placed over 622 Certified Service Dogs across Canada.
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Certified Service Dogs provide important, multi-faceted physical and mental health support to Autistic Children and their Families. Studies have shown the presence of a properly socialized, trained and matched service dog can decrease the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, by almost 50%.
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