Q&A #7: Autism Service Dogs

[chaoticidealism]

Q: Have you ever considered using a service dog? I have heard that people are training dogs to assist people with autism now. What are your thoughts about this?
- Jen

Comments

[bigmark243]

I went to the local shelter to look at cats with the aim for them to fill much the same kind of role as you cats do for you. And like you, someday I would like to have a dog, but not in this tiny apartment!

I really liked this entry..! Take care and be well.!!

[fishlivejournal]

thank you, interesting. When you do get a dog, there's a lot to be said for getting an adult; house breaking a dog, dealing with teething and so forth is a lot of work! Also, an adult is less likely to pick up bad habits from you (quite likely for your first dog).

[chaoticidealism]

Hmm... You know, with cats, I would say the same: Adult cats are easier to adopt and deal with than kittens. Tiny, at nine months, is the youngest cat I've ever adopted. My parents adopted kittens when I was a girl, but personally, I've always thought that adult cats, with their crazy kitten days behind them, were much nicer. You can get to know them as a quasi-equal rather than having to "mother" them

[cherniavska]

We just got a service dog for my son in March. It has been a wonderful experience. Our dog, Isha has become a friend for my son and I already see an improvement in his social skills and pure joy! We also have two cats but they are my emotional support animals, they didn't really work for my son.

[foundunicorn]

=^-^=

[sr_rivka42]

How did you get your cats certified as Emotional Support Animals? I would love to do this for my cat so that I could possibly move into an apartment building that doesn't allow pets without any problems. He isn't trained at all, but he certainly provides me with emotional support.