Adele Alfano – Service dogs offer help to children with autism

Joe Vanderkooi introduced guest speaker, Adele Alfonso, the fund development manager for Autism Dog Services overseeing fundraising and volunteers.

Adele explained that there is a wide spectrum in people with autism. Some are highly functional and others, at the other end of the spectrum, are non-verbal.  One in 65 children have autism with some being diagnosed as young as two years of age.     Adele went on to say that Autism Dog Services was established in 2007 as a therapy service which includes seven people who work from their own homes. The service uses highly trained dogs as a way of reaching the innermost thoughts and actions for those who have autism and have placed 150 service dogs in southern Ontario.     Adele explained that Autism Dog Services has reliable puppy breeders who donate golden retrievers and labradors at about eight weeks which are placed with puppy raisers for 12 to 18 months. The foster families are responsible for socializing and exposing the pups to all different experiences to prepare them to become certified as service dogs. The dogs are assessed after 12 months and Adele pointed out that not all dogs make it through the program.

She said that certain breeds of dogs are chosen because they are very trainable and loveable. Larger dogs are used because they can restrain an autistic child who may be susceptible to running into traffic or having a tantrum. All costs are covered during the training period and Adele said that it can amount to about $25,000 per dog. Adele said that many senior university students serve as raisers but others who have a love of dogs certainly can qualify. Autism Dog Services receives no government support so relies on fund-raising events.

Adele introduced Andrea and her chocolate labrador therapy dog, Aden. Andrea has a son with autism, and she shared how having the dog changed her son’s demeanor for the better and allows him to do normal activities and to travel. Service dogs always wear a vest with specific ID badges when they are working and, by law, are admitted into restaurants and other public spaces.

Duncan McLaren thanked Adele and Andrea for coming and bringing Aden to share their story about a life-changing service and presented them with a donation to Autism Dog Services.