Ruby Rosebud Ruffman, as she is referred to by her handler, has become an inseperable part of her family in New York. Ruby attends school with her handler each day and helps her handler fall asleep each night. She has done a wonderful job assisting her handler with transitions and calming his anxieties with new experiences. Ruby's trailing abilities are phenomenal and provide a great deal of relief for the parents in assuring the safety of their child. Ruby was not only a great match for her handler but for her entire family.

 

Hero, a magnificent, black Goldendoodle, has adjusted well to his new family in Alabama. Hero enjoys attending school and the park with his handler, where he has made many new friends. Hero allows his handler considerably more independence by accompanying him in crowded places and keeping him from bolting away. Hero quickly interrupts his handler's stimming behaviors and helps to keep his young handler on task. This pair loves to play and explore outside together.

Sammy is an amazing Standard Poodle now living in Georgia with his wonderful new family. Sammy enjoys sleeping next to his new owner each night. Going out to eat and going shopping have become much easier on the family since Sammy and his new owner love being together for these outings. Sammy attends school and helps redirect his young owner's stemming behaviors. Sammy excels at trailing should the need ever arise and his presence in the house has given the parents a new level of comfort.

 

Cleo, a beautiful silver Standard Poodle, joined her new family in Maryland at the end of September 2011. Cleo accompanies her new family on many of their daily activities such as riding the bus to school, attending therapies, shopping, eating out and religious services. Cleo has fast become a close companion to her handler. Cleo has already become a social bridge between her handler and children at his school. Having an Autism Assistance Dog like Cleo has made a huge difference for this young man and his family.

 

 

Diamond is an amazing Standard Poodle who began living with his new handler in North Carolina in August of 2011. Diamond keeps close to his new handler around the house and is a calming influence when things get tough during the day. Diamond helps interrupt repetitive behaviors and provides a more regulated environment. As an Autism Service Dog, he also accompanies the family on outings and slows down his handler when the impulse to run overcomes him in public places.

Puzzle is a terrific golden doodle who went to live with his new family in May of 2011. Puzzle and his handler go to public school, local parks, and shopping areas together. The family is thrilled with the positive changes that having Puzzle has made in their family. Puzzle provides a calming presence as well as a constant companion to his young handler.

 

Stella is another beautiful example of turning a family pet into a service dog. The family had Stella since she was a puppy and began bonding very early with Jake. They brought her to us to be evaluated and trained on September 2010. Stella proved to be ready for the challenge as we prepared her to work for Jake. In April 2011 Stella was returned and now they are inseperable. As Stella's handler, Jake is experiencing more independence as he's able to take her to school, therapies, the Nascar Hall of Fame, and all of the other places he loves to go. The family is able to use Stella to help Jake stay on task, and they have the peace of mind knowing Stella can find Jake if he ever gets lost. Both Jake and Stella are very lucky to have each other... their future looks bright.

Coco is a Standard Poodle that began serving his family in March, 2011. Coco has transitioned well into his new home. As a family, this is the first dog they have owned and they're enjoying the adventure. Coco is participating in school, outings, therapies and play. Coco has been great for relationship building and transitions. He has found a place in their heart and on their sofa and he is ready to find his girl if she ever gets lost.

 

 

Georgia is an amazing Standard Poodle living in PA with her new family. She began her work as an autism assistance and mobility dog in March, 2011 for Emily. Georgia wears a special harness to assist Emily with stairs, curbs, and uneven terrain. Georgia is also able to provide enough deep pressure for Emily to manage noisy and crowded envirnoments. This has given the family greater freedom to do more things like go out to eat and shopping.

 

 

Bruster is a Standard Poodle that began serving his family in February, 2011. H e has already made great changes in the life of his owner and handler, Sean. Bruster attends school with Sean and also assists him at therapies, at the playground as well as other outings. Sean loves going to amusement parks but often had difficulty maintaining the stamina to stay very long. Now, with his new friend Bruster, Sean can enjoy the parks that he loves so much. During Bruster's delivery, we attended SeaWorld in Florida where Sean and Bruster walked together and enjoyed the park for over 7 hours. Bruster is also sleeping in the bed with Sean as well as assisting him in coping better at shopping malls, restaurants and other places where he had difficulty previously.

Bronx is a German Shepherd that began serving his family in January, 2011. Bronx and his handler, Christopher, make a remarkable team together. Bronx attends school with Christopher and even carries his books and other school supplies on a special harness. Christopher needs assistance with mobility and stamina and Bronx is always there to help.

I wanted to personally "thank" you for the wonderful service you provide in Service Dogs for children. Today was "proof" that these dogs impact the lives of the children they serve on levels not understood by much of the public.

Christopher had a seizure today at school and Bronx was right there to comfort him. We had to take Chris to the doctor following the seizure, and Bronx was right there to comfort him. Bronx was right there the entire time, never leaving Chris's side. After the CT scan - on the ride home - Chris was having an anxiety attack, but Bronx would have no part of that - he wiggled down next to Chris and gave him kisses. I know it will be ok because Chris now has a friend that will NEVER leave him or judge him!

Thank-you is not enough, but it is all I have. I know there is a very special place in heaven for all of you!              Janet C. - Georgia

Allie is a Standard Poodle that began serving her family in September, 2010. Allie assists her handler, Jonathan, with a variety of tasks. Allie sleeps with Jonathan and accompanies him to school each day to help him there as well. Allie loves to swim and play with Jonathan and his younger sister. Allie has made a huge impact in Jonathan's life by helping him better adjust to public settings, therapies and doctors visits. Allie is actually a sister to Rocket and both of these great dogs serve families in the same metropolitan area of Florida.

 

Kaiser is a Labrador Retriever that began serving his family on July 29, 2010. We were promptly greeted by Kevin, welcoming us to Georgia. From there, we spent 5 days with the family going to the grocery store, church, therapies, out to eat and a number of other activities. Kaiser has a special story to tell. On a cold January night Kaiser was left tied outside a closed veternary clinic with food and a note. The note said Kaiser was 2 years old, house broken, knew some basic commands and left instructions for whoever found him to "Please don't give him to the pound." Kaiser was picked up by a police officer and taken to an emergency clinic owned by Kevin's dad. Kaiser lived with Kevin for 8 weeks before coming to us to be trained as an Autism Assistance Dog. The family had been thinking about getting Kevin a dog especially to sleep with him because Kevin had not slept a full night in his own bed in a very long time. The number one priority for Kaiser was to sleep with Kevin. We are happy to say that, among other benefits, Kaiser is now sleeping with Kevin and providing Kevin with the comfort and security he needs to stay in his own bed.

 

 

Rocket is a Standard Poodle that was placed with her family in April 2010 and has made remarkable differences in the life of her handler, Jake. Rocket attends school with Jake and also accompanies him on therapies, at camp and on many other outings. Rocket was selected by the team at Assistance Dogs for Autism specifically for Jake and it has definitely been a perfect match.

Rocket has settled in nicely in her Florida home and since her placement, Jake has become more social and has made new friends. Visits to the doctor seem to be less stressful with Rocket by his side and he is also benefiting from improved sleep (in his own bed, something that never happened before Rocket). Most importantly, Jake is more outgoing and much more independent with Rocket. Rocket has truly proven to be a vital companion in this family's journey through autism.

 

Eppo - Labrador Retriever - IL

Eppo is a yellow labrador pup that will be working with a family in Illinois. She has completed our socialization program and is currently in training to be an Autism Service Dog.

Gracie- Labrador Retriever - FL

Gracie is a yellow labrador pup that will be working with a family in Florida. She has completed our socialization program and is currently in training to be an Autism Service Dog.

Jake - Lab mix - NC

Jake is a delightful lab mix that will be working with a family in North Carolina. He has completed our socialization program and is currently in training to be an Autism Assistance Dog.

Loxi - Goldendoodle - FL

Loxi is a Golden Doodle pup that belongs to a family in Florida. She is currently in our socialization program and doing very well.

Mia- Labradoodle - PR

Mia is a chocolate labradoodle pup that will be working with a family in Puerto Rico. She is currently in our socialization program.

Penny - German Shepherd- NJ

Penny is a delightful German Shepherd that will be working with a family in New Jersey. She has completed our socialization program and is currently in training to be an Autism Assistance Dog.

Shadow- Standard Poodle - NC

Shadow is a phantom poodle pup that who has completed our socialization program and is currently in training to be an Autism Service Dog.

Willow- Standard Poodle - PA

Willow is a silver standard poodle pup that will be working with a family in Pennsylvania. She is currently in our socialization program.