Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Trained in Calmness, Dogs Help Children with Autism

Pekoe and Juanita were bred to be islands of calm amid chaos.

The two Labrador retrievers are weeks away from officially graduating as Heeling Autism dogs, having successfully shown that nothing — not ear or tail pulling, chairs sailing over their heads, screaming, kicking meltdowns or inquisitive pokes at their toenails — will do more than elicit a doggy grin and a wag.

"They're really amazing with the kids. These dogs are so calm," said Michelle Rose, who teaches a self-contained special education BOCES class at Mahopac's Fulmar School, where the two dogs have visited every other Friday since January. "They will be in homes where they have to be used to unexplained things, very loud things. It's a win-win for both of us."

Read more: http://www.lohud.com/story/news/2014/03/23/heeling-autism-dogs-calm/6812629/

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