Autism Service Dog Program

Autism affects individuals differently, so our program focuses on personalized training to meet each client's unique needs and lifestyle. Our autism service dogs provide crucial support through activities like tethering, deep pressure therapy, preventing self-harm, calming tantrums and meltdowns, stopping bolting, and building confidence.

Many prospective clients inquire about how a service dog can benefit them. To determine this, we ask them to complete a detailed 15-page application that helps us understand their specific requirements. We also assess each applicant's case via Zoom, and request videos and additional information to accurately evaluate their needs and match them with the appropriate dog and training program.

This personalized approach ensures that each client receives the most effective support tailored to their individual circumstances from their autism service dog.

                             After all, we're seeking to match you with your life's companion!

• Be diagnosed for a minimum of 1 year
• Be 6 years of age to Apply
• Be able to financially provide for the dog's healthcare, hygiene, food etc.
• Show kindness to dogs

Our dog training program begins with our dedicated puppy raising phase, during which we meticulously assess each puppy bi-weekly to determine their suitability for specific programs. All dogs are carefully chosen by our trainers and undergo temperament testing tailored to each program's requirements. Once they complete the puppy raising program, we transition them to obedience training.

In obedience training, our dogs learn essential commands like heel, sit, down, auto sits, come, leave it, bed, and load up. They are raised and trained both at our facility and in our trainers' homes, which helps them acclimate to a family environment and eases their transition into their new homes. Obedience training is foundational, ensuring each dog meets our standard obedience test criteria before progressing to the next phase. Tests are conducted both on and off-leash, in settings with varying levels of distraction.

The next phase is public access training, where we reinforce obedience in increasingly distracting environments. Starting in low-distraction settings like quiet stores, we gradually progress to busy shopping centers, restaurants, and office buildings. We introduce our own distractions to assess the dogs' ability to remain focused and respond appropriately. We tailor training to fit your daily routines; for example, if your child uses public transportation, we ensure the dog is trained accordingly, familiarizing them with vehicles, buses, trams, and elevators.

Before advancing to the final training step, dogs undergo rigorous testing to confirm readiness for public access. The last phase focuses on addressing our clients' specific needs. Each training plan is uniquely tailored based on your child's individual requirements and how autism affects them. Dogs can be trained in various tasks such as tethering, interrupting repetitive behaviors, providing deep pressure therapy, and assisting with specific tasks as requested. We incorporate specialized training throughout, accommodating specific challenges like obsessions with certain objects, exposure to arm flapping, repetitive noises, nail biting, and more.

Our holistic approach integrates obedience, public access, and specialized training to ensure each dog provides optimal support tailored to your family's unique circumstances. We're passionate about explaining our autism service dog program and discussing how our training can positively impact your specific situation.

Please note that our service dogs are offered at cost and are not covered by health insurance. The total cost varies based on factors such as specific training needs, delivery location, pick-up or delivery options, and breed selection. To receive an accurate quote, we require a completed application. Our autism service dog program starts at $26,000, and we provide various payment plans along with the option for pickup or delivery. Click on the cost link for more information.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our program. At Loyalty Service Dogs, we strive to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the process of obtaining a service dog. We are committed to establishing strong relationships with each client we assist. To begin your journey in acquiring a service dog, please complete our online application.  We look forward to working with you!