Guest guest Posted April 11, 2006 Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20060411/APC0101/604110553/1003/APC01 Autistic child bonds with service dog Posted April 11, 2006 Autistic child bonds with service dog New pet helps Greenville boy break barriers By Rausch Post-Crescent West editor GREENVILLE — has a difficult time with social skills and communication. He is obsessed with traffic lights, lamps, exit signs, Elvis Presley and anything from the 1950s. As a result, , a Greenville Middle School student, is unable to form friendships with his peers and often is teased and bullied at school. Last month, however, found a friend who doesn't care that the 11-year-old boy has Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning type of autism. The friend is Georgia, a 1½-year-old English Labrador trained as a service dog. " It's gut-wrenching that he doesn't have any friends, " said 's mother, Sara , " but this gives him a way to be normal. She seems to make him happier. I used to say is the saddest little boy I've ever met. It's nice to hear him laugh. " Doctors diagnosed 's condition when he was 7 years old. It has made life tough for him and his family. " It makes it really difficult as a parent, " Sara said. " When I go out in public and has a meltdown people look at me like I'm a bad parent but they don't know the underlying issues. " When Sara discovered 4 Paws for Ability on the Internet, a nonprofit agency in Ohio that provides service dogs to people with disabilities, she knew it was perfect for her son. " The dogs are specifically trained for each child's needs, " Sara said. " It's really amazing. If is having a meltdown, Georgia is trained to chill him out. She climbs on top of him so he can pet her. " Georgia is more than a pal. She helps break repetitive behaviors or patterns by bumping him or distracting him with her paw. Georgia follows wherever he goes, and she knows she's " working " whenever she is wearing her vest. In order to obtain a service dog, was required to raise $5,000 and took on the daunting task herself. She sent out letters to every business she could think of asking for donations. She held auctions and sold items on eBay. After a year and a half, she finally reached her goal. The s spent two weeks at 4 Paws for Ability in late February working with Georgia before bringing her home. " Georgia helps learn social behaviors, " Sara said. " She gives him a way to interact with his peers. Kids can come up to him and say, 'Can I pet your dog?' or, 'What's your dog's name?' " While isn't able to bring Georgia to school with him because he is young enough that he requires a second handler when he is with the dog, Georgia goes everywhere else. " She's phenomenal, " Sara said. " She's done wonders for him in the short time we've had her. He seems to want to interact more with people. " And loves Georgia, whom he calls his new best friend. " She's my friend but I would like a people friend, " said. said having a buddy like Georgia is a great boost. " She's the best dog ever, " said. " I just think the people in Ohio trained her well. She's perfect. It's awesome. " Post-Crescent West Editor Rausch can be reached at 920-982- 3650 or by e-mail at rrausch@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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