How an ASA Service Dog
can make a difference:
Autism Service Dog:
- Provides a tactile stimulant to promote environmental awareness and familiarity
- Applies pressure to the hand or lap promoting redirection to the "here and now"
- Provides familiarity and comfort in new environments
- Wakes for school or work
- Tracks or trails an individual that has wandered
- Alerts when wandering occurs
- Creates a physical buffer or barrier
- Interrupts self-destructive behavior
- Acts as a "tether" to prevent wandering
- Applies weighted pressure across the individual's body
- Carries medications and medical documentation
- Enables confidence
- Enables independence and responsibility
- Assists with the development of social skills
- Provides companionship
Mobility / Wheelchair Assistance Service Dog:
- Provides balance and physical support
- Carries objects such as oxygen tanks
- Grabs, picks up, drops, relocates, and hands objects
- Pulls or pushes to provide momentum
- Turns off/on lights
- Pushes buttons such as an emergency call, elevator button, or automatic door
- Opens/closes doors
- Carries medications and medical documentation
- Alerts a specific person
- Enables independence
Allergy Alert - Peanut:
- Detects and alerts the presence or remnants of a specific allergen
- Promotes awareness and "reminds" individuals of the life-threatening allergy
- Carries EpiPen, medications, and medical documentation
- Enables independence
- Additional allergens include latex, tree nuts, soy, milk, egg, wheat, shellfish
PTSD Service Dog
- Provides a tactile stimulant to promote environmental awareness and familiarity
- Applies pressure to the hand or lap promoting redirection to the "here and now"
- Provides familiarity and comfort in new environments
- Wakes for school or work
- Creates a physical buffer or barrier
- Alerts a specific person
- Interrupts self-destructive behavior
- Carries medications and medical documentation
- Enables confidence
- Enables independence
- Provides an excuse to leave an area
- Provides companionship
Hearing Alert Service Dog
- Provides a visual alert to specific sounds
- Alerts when someone is near or speaking
- Carries medications and medical documentation
- Enables independence