I have a friend with a son who has cerabal palsy. He is non ambulant and has no verbal communication skills although he is able communicate in his own way. This child is 11 years old and LOVES dogs. His responses to all dogs is astounding considering his disability.
My friend would love to get a dog for him as it is evident he responds so well to animals. She is prepared to put in all of the hard work to look after the dog and has asked my opinion on breeds etc.
Does anyone out there in doggy land have any suggestions of breed or of agencies that maybe pre-train a dog as a companion. As with guide dogs for the blind.
Babycakes

Have you tried Dogs for the disabled?

cant advise but sure other will be along soon.

Due to his age, a minor, I don't think he would qualify for any specially trained dogs.  I'm thinking that the person has to be 16 or something like that?  I could be wrong.  Canine Partners would be a place to ask.

What might be good is for the family to adopt a more mature dog from an experienced breeder/exhibitor.  That way you have contact with where the dog came from, you know it's family history, unlike if you went to a rescue where you would not know much about what you were taking on.  Breeders/exhibitors sell their older dogs for many different reasons - I know of some who have died, leaving several dogs for the family to rehome.

If you're friend can decide on a breed that fits into their family, ie a minimal grooming minimal exercise breed due to the amount of care her child requires, then she could go to the breed club and ask for their assistance in finding an older dog that is ready to love and will require minimal training.  What she would be looking for is a laid back, gentle, emotionally intelligent dog that will be happy to curl up next to the boy and love him.

I hope your friend can find something for her son.  Has she called Pets as Therapy so that someone can visit him on a regular basis?

A quick google came up with this site:
Dogs for the Disabled
"Dogs for the Disabled creates life-changing partnerships by training assistance dogs to help children and adults with disabilities lead a fuller, more independent life."

It seems as if they do dogs for children with physical disabilities and dogs for children with autism, so I would assume that is  type of dog perfect for your friends boy?

The dog for children with autism: -"Their role will be to act as a guide, anchor and continuous focus for the child and in so doing will offer the whole family the chance to open their door to the outside world again."

Does your friends son attend any hospital/school/care centre that can access the Pets As Therapy scheme?

This scheme is testament to the fact that breed is relatively unimportant.  Temperament is critical.  With this in mind it may well be worth your friend speaking to a dogs home to alert them that she is looking for a suitable dog.  You will probably find that not all homes are able to help but if you can find a good one with experience of rehoming temperament tested dogs that they will give a lot of support and assistance to her search.

There are a number of known breeds with history of work as support dogs.  Most of these breeds have their own rehoming coordinators and one may be willing to look out for a suitable dog for you.  Alternatively try discussing your friends needs with a good breeder.  They may sometimes have older dogs that might suit.

Incidentally the Kennel Club Friends For Life Competition 2008 was won by Yepa, a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla.  Her young owner Harriet has Cerebral Palsy.

Just a final thought, if your friend is successful in finding a dog - perhaps she could apply to become a PAT dog volunteer.  The extra, and regular, socialisation will certainly help the dog and it may be possible for her son to become more involved also.  Good luck

> Due to his age, a minor, I don't think he would qualify for any specially trained dogs.  I'm thinking that the person has to be 16 or something like that?  I could be wrong.  Canine Partners would be a place to ask.
>

I know that children with autism have dogs to help them through an organisation but can't think which one so it might be possible.

Thank you so much for your help. I will pass this on to my friend and her son

Babycakes

We are invedtigating the avenue of Pat dogs and i will get in touch with the kennel club. Your help is very much apreciated and valued. Please keep us in mind if you think of anything else which might help.
Once again, THANK YOU

> I know that children with autism have dogs to help them through an organisation but can't think which one so it might be possible.

I'm pretty sure that it's Dogs for Disabled.  They also have dogs for children with physical disabilities.  Although they couldn't help me at the time, they were very helpful over the phone.

I have an autistic son who, following his sisters lead, didn't want a dog at all.  He is now 14 and we had our first dog 4 years ago.    We now have 4 cocker spaniels and on the whole he gets on really well with them and he was taking part in some fun shows with them until one bad experience in a noisy cramped hall.  The only issue my son has with the dogs is with noise if they all start barking.  Our puppy actually went to pick son up from his special school again today and once again had loads of attention from all the kids (and staff) an experience they all enjoyed.  The children have a huge range of disability there.

We did try a couple of rescues before the cockers joined the family, the first had to go due to it's desire to kill the rabbit, the second son couldn't cope with it's extreme bounce, it thought nothing of leading over the back of the settee... 

I think having a dog has given an added dimension to the family and turning back the clocks, I do the same again.

i have sold two puppies spanish water dogs.to two different family with special need childern one is my nicece whos is downs and a puppy out of the last litter whos only 4 months now to a family who as a child of 10 who very bad autistic and can only say one word bubbles and that what they have name the puppy.
both kid are in or where  in special needs school where both dogs have gone a long with the kids to the schools and the other kids of the school have inact with the dogs,
sarah is 36 year whos as downs and the the other family boy is 10 years old with a young borther.

both this dogs have outh both these little people to come out of there shells.
i  think that you should get a puppy if not going though a chartiy and train the puppy to yyour needs  and the puppy will grow up with the family and the speacil needs child it will be hard work to take on a puppy but the result will pay off in the end for all,
i choose the right pup for each family as i was able to see which pup would suit each family as i was the pup 24/7 from brith to 8 weeks olds
both family are over the moon with the dogs and give them all great times with love  both ways dog to human human to dog.

I agree dogs for the disabled is an excellent route to take.  However I believe the dogs are generally trained to be assistance dogs.  Passing a wallet to the counter, using a cash point, passing objects, emptying washing machines and all the other wonderful things they train them to do.  If thats not what your friend was looking for, it sounds as though shes looking for a dog for a way of opening up communication for her son, companionship then getting a puppy is a very good way forward as long as she has time to do the training and care for her son.

I worked as a kennel manager for 5 years while I was at uni and unable to have my own dog.  There is one puppy we sold I will never ever forget, Dev.  In the nicest possible way, he was an ugly little thing.  It was a show kennel and everything about him was stretched, nose too long, legs too long, and a tail that just didn't end!  But he was highly intelligent and good tempered.  I young woman came to us in a desperate state.  She had an autistic girl who was 7, and her husband had just died suddenly.  Since the incident her daughter had refused to talk to anybody, the mother had read stories about disabled children and dogs and wanted to see if it would work.  At that point Dev was three months old, we agreed she could have him as long as he came straight back to us if she couldn't cope.  I hung on to him for two more weeks to complete toilet training, to teach him a few more commands (no jump ect) and to put hand signals to them.  Within two days the little girl was confiding in her puppy, just over two weeks later and she started to talk to her family.  Of all the high winning dogs we produced, I am most proud of this hatch-patch of a dog.

Dogs really are amazing!  I know it wont make your friends child speak, but they can open up new worlds and unconditional bonds.

Dev was a Cavalier, and for temperment in this situation I dont think I can suggest a better breed.  (There are some, but are larger and stronger and can pull the child about as they become energetic adolescents.)

Just as an aside did anyone see the show After Thomas, would recommend to anyone to watch but have the tissues ready!

Dogs For The Disabled do cater for childrens needs. A son of one of my boys is currently in training with them with a view to being a dog for an autistic child. He appears to be doing really well and I think Dogs For The Disabled tailor the dogs training with the eventual placement in mind.

I watched After Thomas and it was scarily close to home as my son has autism too and the boy in the film was very like him. We didn't have a dog when we saw the film as my son was petrified of dogs, so much so he would cross the road (without looking for traffic) if a dog was coming towards him even if it was miles away! My parents have had dogs for more than 20 years and when he was little he didn't mind their dogs but for some unknown reason he became scared of all dogs. Gradually he became a bit more tolerant of dogs but still scared. We did a lot of thinking about different breeds before a friend introduced us to Field Spaniel, she then put us in touch with a breeder friend of hers and we now have 2 dogs that have a very special bond with my son. He doesn't like their barking and play 'growling' as he is very noise sensitive and not keen if they jump up on him. It was a huge step for us to take but I have no regrets whatsoever!

to add to this it got to be the right dog to the right person and family.needs

> to add to this it got to be the right dog to the right person and family.needs

Oh yes definitely agree with you!

Although my son enjoys our own dogs, he is still wary of all other dogs including my parents ones.

WOW thank you so much for everyone's input regarding Dogs for Disabled children. It's certainly soul inspiring to receive such help. My friend is truely overwhelmed by your help and kindness which at this point in her life has boosted her up no end.
THANK YOU.
Babycakes.

> I watched After Thomas and it was scarily close to home as my son has autism too and the boy in the film was very like him. We didn't have a dog when we saw the film as my son was petrified of dogs, so much so he would cross the road (without looking for traffic) if a dog was coming towards him even if it was miles away! My parents have had dogs for more than 20 years and when he was little he didn't mind their dogs but for some unknown reason he became scared of all dogs. Gradually he became a bit more tolerant of dogs but still scared. We did a lot of thinking about different breeds before a friend introduced us to Field Spaniel, she then put us in touch with a breeder friend of hers and we now have 2 dogs that have a very special bond with my son. He doesn't like their barking and play 'growling' as he is very noise sensitive and not keen if they jump up on him. It was a huge step for us to take but I have no regrets whatsoever!

Struggled to watch After Thomas for the same reasons.  It was the turning point for convincing us as a family to get a dog though