Phillip's Autism Assistance Dog...
First let me tell you a little about 4 Paws Autism Assistance dogs and then I will tell you what Phillip's dog does for him!
FROM THEIR WEBSITE:
4 Paws was the first agency to begin placing skilled Autism Assistance Dogs and continues to be the largest organization in the United States and the only organization placing in other Countries Autism Assistance Dogs with tracking. While other smaller organizations are attempting to duplicate our services 4 Paws remains the organization that services such as the National Autism Center recommend to their families. Having placed well over 100 Autism Assistance Dogs, this type of dog continues to be the most requested and most often placed dog of all of our services. As the founding agency of Autism Assistance Dogs with tracking we continue to provide the highest quality of dogs to every child that applies. 4 Paws, unlike almost every other agency does not pick and choose who's child will get a dog. As long as the child's physician approves the dog and it is safe to place a dog in the home, no family is turned away. We continue our services with no long waiting lists and continue as always to "partner" with our families to provide the dog their child needs. In addition, our online group for 4 Paws Families has a membership of 100+ families. With a group of families, all either having, or in the process of obtaining a service dog from our agency, all in one place with access to each other it is obvious that our families love their dogs and are very happy with our service dogs. They feel that being a part of the 4 Paws family as an honor and are happy to remain on our online network to help the next group of families find the same happiness they did in a friend with 4 Paws.
At 4 Paws we have discovered a magic that exists between children and dogs, a magic that can become a life-saving miracle for a child paired with one of our Autism Assistance Dogs. One of the tasks the dogs can be trained to do, that is unique to 4 Paws For Ability TM, Inc. is the ability to track a child that has wandered away, even if the child has been missing for quite some time!
So, we take the child with Autism and all the difficulties they have with verbalization, communication, and social relationships and pair them with a well trained quality service dog specifically trained to meet their unique needs; to create a consistency in the child’s life as their dogs go every where that they go, even within places of public accommodation, and the educational system bringing along with them: consistency, stability, and calm reassurance that the feelings of anxiety or fear are not needed because the trusted buddy is by their side.
The mission off our Autism Assistance Dog Program is to provide friendship, companionship, unconventional, and unconditional love for the child. A source of comfort and consistency when environments change and anxiety might be high, to help the children with Autism and the other family members find a higher quality of life and bring a more independent life to the child and the support to encounter problems and obstacles set in front of them by Autism and overcome any challenges that they are confronted by.
Now... about Phillip's Autism Assistance Dog - Lacey.
Lacey is trained for search and rescue so that on the occasion that Phillip disappears we don't have to wander around searching for him (as he does not respond to his name most of the time), we can say "Find Him" and off we go.
She is trained in 'behavior disruption' and since Phillip is sensitive to dog claws, she is taught to nuzzle him to disrupt his 'behavior'...by behavior disruption, I mean that whenever Phillip is doing something repetitively (i.e. head-butting objects or ppl., covering his ear from sensory overload, etc)she will be told 'nuzzle' and will go to Phillip and gently nose at him to try and distract him from the bahavior!
She is trained in 'tethering', in which she wears a special harness and Phillip wears a special harness (made just for him by Jenny at Pacific Rain) and they will be linked together by a short leash (with a hook at both ends) so that Phillip can have some of the freedom that he so desperatly wants, but still not be able to run away from us. Lacey also serves as an anchor, of sorts, because Phillip has a hard time draggin a 50 lb. dog with him (unless he is on hard floor instead of carpet)!
Lacey is trained to be steady for him when walking up and down stairs, and when outside because Phillip usually needs some extra support in these areas.
She is trained in "deep pressure" which means that whenever Phillip needs to feel 'secure' (during a seizure, an outburst, or when feeling overwhelmed) she is trained to lie across his legs (on command) to comfort (or secure) him. This also comes in handy when he is getting his meds (he can't get away with a 50 lb. dog on his lap!) 
Another really special thing that Phillips Lacey does, is play fetch... in a way that Phillip does'nt get frustrated. Typically when playing fetch, you throw the ball the dog runs to get it, runs back to you then runs off with the ball. Lacey was taught to go get the ball, return - drop the ball and then go after the next ball that is thrown... so that way Phillip doesn't have to get angry when Lacey doesn't give the ball back!!! This skill will be great for bonding between Phillip and Lacey! (we havne't gotten to play much yet since it's winter time)
Lacey also sleeps with Phillip - though she isn't trained to do so. We tell her "Lacey, go to bed" and she happily runs to Phillip's room and jumps into the bed! Phillip loves having a pal in the room with him & Lacey makes for a really nice "warmer" when it's cold out!
Over the time that we have had Lacey - she hasn't learned to "detect" a seizure - but she knows when Phillip isn't feeling well and she doesn't leave his side! She will go outside to potty and then she's right back by his side - wherever he is! When he wakes after a seizure - she's right there to lick his face to say "Hey, I'm glad you are feeling better!"
Thanks for reading and God Bless you!
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