HSD Autism Paws
Purpose-Bred Dogs. Professional Training. A Path to Greater Independence.
The HSD Autism Paws Program helps individuals with autism develop a working partnership with a purpose-bred Golden Retriever.
Participants receive a started service dog prospect with a foundation of professional training and continued support from Hope Service Dogs.
The goal is not simply to provide a dog.
It's to help develop a successful service dog team.
Who Is Autism Paws For?
The Autism Paws Program is designed for individuals with autism who may benefit from a service dog trained to perform disability-related tasks.
The program is available to individuals 13 years of age or older and requires an official diagnosis of autism.
Because service dog training is a partnership, the handler must be prepared to actively participate in the dog's continued training.
How Can a Service Dog Help?
An autism service dog may be trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate disability-related challenges.
Depending on the individual's needs, tasks may include:
Grounding
Providing trained sensory input or grounding during periods of distress.
Interruption
Interrupting behaviors or episodes that interfere with the person's safety or ability to function.
Deep Pressure Therapy
Providing trained pressure or contact when appropriate.
Retrieval
Retrieving objects or assisting with practical daily activities.
Environmental Support
Helping the handler navigate challenging environments through trained behaviors and support.
Tasks are individualized. Not every dog will perform every task, and the appropriate tasks depend on the person's needs and the dog's abilities.
Your Autism Paws Dog
Dogs in the Autism Paws Program remain with HSD until at least six months of age before going home.
By go-home, the dog has developed a foundation that includes:
AKC Canine Good Citizen preparation
AKC Novice Trick Dog preparation
AKC Virtual Home Manners Puppy preparation
AKC Virtual Scent Work Beginner preparation
Obedience and focus
Environmental exposure
Early public-access foundations
The dog will also have begun training in disability-related tasks such as:
Deep Pressure Therapy
Grounding
Stimulation interruption
Retrieval
These are task foundations, not a guarantee that the dog will ultimately perform every task or complete service-dog training without additional work.
Training Continues After Go-Home
Going home isn't the end of the training process.
It's the beginning of the next stage.
The Autism Paws Program includes:
6 Months of Additional Training Support
Continue working with HSD trainers after your dog goes home.
12 Months of Service Dog Success
Your program includes access to our online service dog training course for continued education.
Select Equipment
Appropriate training equipment is included with the program.
Go-Home Training
Before returning home, the team works with HSD trainers in Central Florida.
Go-home training includes working together in community environments where the service dog will eventually work.
The Handler's Role
A service dog is not a finished product at six months.
The handler plays an essential role in continuing the dog's development.
Autism Paws participants are expected to:
Complete the HSD online training course.
Participate in go-home training.
Continue practicing with their dog after returning home.
Participate in follow-up training.
Provide appropriate veterinary care, exercise, enrichment, and lifelong care.
The strongest service dog teams are built together.
What Does the Autism Paws Program Cost?
The Autism Paws Program is offered at HSD's standard puppy program pricing.
VIEW CURRENT PUPPY PROGRAM PRICING
How Do I Apply?
The first step is the HSD Puppy Application.
When you apply, indicate that you are interested in the Autism Paws Program.
Then schedule a call with us, we will review your application and discuss your needs, your goals, and whether the program is a good fit.
Why Autism Paws?
At Hope Service Dogs, we believe the right dog can provide more than companionship.
With appropriate training, a service dog can help an individual navigate specific disability-related challenges and develop greater independence.
But the right match matters.
We evaluate our dogs throughout development based on health, temperament, structure, behavior, training progress, and working potential.
We don't try to make every dog into the same kind of service dog.
We develop each dog according to what that individual dog can do best.
The Autism Paws Journey
Purpose-bred puppy
↓
Professional puppy raising
↓
Started service dog training
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Go-home team training
↓
Continued handler training
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Developing a reliable working partnership
The dog comes with a foundation.
The partnership is built together.
Ready to Begin?
If you're interested in the HSD Autism Paws Program, start with our application.
Changing Lives. Providing Hope for Tomorrow.
Autism Paws Program Requirements
To successfully complete the HSD Autism Paws Program, each team must:
Complete the Online Training Course: Successfully finish the course at Servicedog.Teachable.com.
Participate in “Go Home” Training: Work with the HSD team for 5-7 days in Central Florida, including training in the community settings where the service dog will be utilized.
Schedule Follow-Up Training: Participate in additional training sessions after returning home.
Next Step
Apply through our puppy application form and schedule a call with us.