Blessings Unleashed Foundation is assessing rescued dogs from area shelters, placing them into the Death Row Dogs prison training program to become service dogs for children with autism. We will enrich the lives of individuals with autism by placing highly skilled service dogs in their homes, to help promoting safety and independence for people living with autism FREE of charge!
Autism affects 1 in 88 children in the USA. Individuals with autism are twice as likely to face an accidental death and the number one cause of death is autism-related wandering. These individuals also have lack of social skills, communication and safety are primary concerns. We are seeking to make a difference in these peoples lives by providing them with autism service dogs.
The dogs will be trained in methods to ensure these individuals are provided an extra measure of security. Blocking is a technique that we train the dog to do to stop a child from bolting or wandering. Tethering is used to allow the individual a little freedom when out in social situations while preventing wandering. Tracking is a search and rescue technique that allows the dog to find the child if they were to wander away. The dogs will also assist in other ways.
Academic assistance, service dogs increase the students attention and ability to focus on task. The child feels a sense of security having their service dog with them in over stimulating and stressful environments the dog allows for the opportunity to engage in social interaction with peers, reduce shelter over crowding and euthanization. Relieve some of the stress of families that are living with autism and allow the person affected to have a sencse of compassion and empathy toward another.
