Autism Assistance Dogs

Currently, Dogs for the Deaf places Autism Assistance Dogs with clients that live in Oregon, Idaho, California, and Washington - within a 12-hour drive of our national headquarters in Central Point, Oregon. As this program grows we will be expanding eastward with our placements until we serve the entire United States.

Autism Assistance Dogs are trained for children and families living with autism. The rise in autism rates are staggering. The evolution of programs geared toward successfully integrating children with autism into routine daily activities includes Autism Assistance Dogs.

Autism Assistance Dogs are trained to enhance the safety of children with autism by acting as an anchor and preventing the child from bolting into unsafe environments such as traffic, bodies of water, etc. Autism Assistance Dogs can also have a calming effect on the child and may improve the child's willingness and ability to communicate and bond.

Training:

• Training generally takes four to six months.

Placement:

• The first phase of training involves the parents, child, and care givers coming to our facility for a week of training. This involves travel expenses and staying in a hotel during that week at the family's expense.
• The second week of training is done in your home. The trainer brings the dog to you and works with your family for a week. The trainer stays in a hotel and Dogs for the Deaf pays for their expenses.

Follow Up:

• Dogs for the Deaf provides follow up training for the life of the team. Follow up training includes guidance and suggestions consisting of verbal contact, written contact, and in home visits.

What does it cost to get an Autism Assistance Dog?

There is a $50.00 application fee. When an applicant has been approved to receive an Autism Assistance Dog and is ready to be placed on the waiting list, we require a $500.00 Good Faith deposit, which is returned after the person and the Autism Assistance Dog have been together for one year. Once the dog is placed with a person, the client is financially responsible for the on-going care of the dog.

How do I apply for an Autism Assistance Dog?

Before you decide to apply for an Autism Assistance Dog, please read about our Application Process, Application Requirements, and Points to Consider.

You can download and print our Autism Assistance Dog application packet by clicking HERE. Fill out the application completely and mail, along with your $50.00 application fee, to:

If you would like us to send you an application by mail, please contact us using the webform below or call us at 1-800-990-3647.