We have written about service dogs for children with autism and mentioned two groups which provide training: 4PawsforAbility and Guiding Eyes. The response has been amazing! A lot of people want to learn more about these programs.
Many people have asked who is eligible for a service dog?
Guiding Eyes is a regional program and participants and has the following requirements:
- Child must be 2-10 years old.
- Child must have an autism diagnosis.
- Child must live within 2 hours of the Training School in Yorktown Heights.
- All family members must be open to a service dog in the home.
- No one in the home can be afraid of or allergic to dogs.
- Child must need the service dog for safety.
- The family must understand that an autism service dog represents a lifetime commitment.
- One or both parents must be able to spend five days and four consecutive nights at our Yorktown campus.
- Applications for this program are available only by phoning 914-243-2228 or emailing heelingautism@guidingeyes.org.
4PawsforAbility has the following requirements:
- No age requirements
- Two responsible adults (including 1 parent) must attend training.
- Cost of training is obtained through fundraising in cooperation with 4PawsforAbility.org.
Do you have a service animal? What organization did you use and what were your experiences. Tell us in the comments.
