Therapeutic bond for child and service dog

Over the past six months, a bonding phase between Jacoba Scott and her new best friend Gus has been remedial.

Jacoba, a Grade 1 student at Elizabeth Rummel School, and Gus, a two-year-old black Labrador male do everything together.

The pair are ready to participate in this Sunday's Pet Valu Walk for Guide Dogs at Canmore's Riverside Park; Gus will accompany Jacoba to school and daycare – they even shared the same amusement park rides at Disney World earlier this year.

It's a warm companionship between the two; but the black lab also provides a valuable service for Jacoba.

The seven-year-old girl was diagnosed at age three with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a complex developmental brain disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences.

Having a service dog like Gus around provides a therapeutic connection in otherwise high stress situations for children with ASD.

“Service dogs being introduced as a therapy tool for autism has only been around for the last seven years,” said Barb Scott, Jacoba's mother.

“The biggest thing he does for her is provide a safety device if she bolts – she runs away a lot. He'll drop with a command (from a handler or parent) and she's tethered to Gus.”

For many children with ASD, having a service dog, distinguishable by its red vest, helps with socialization, provides regulation, and helps to ease anxiety with the child outside the home and inside the home.

“I thought we'd get little robots when we were getting a service dog, but they turn out to be a dog,” Barb said, with a laugh. “The residual effect on the whole family of having someone like Gus for her really takes the tension out of the whole house.”

The process of having Gus become apart of the family began over two years ago when the Scotts applied to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Children with ASD aged three to 12 can qualify for a service dog.

After success in the applicant process, they travelled to Oakville, Ont. to do two weeks of training and instruction on why these dogs are special and can't be petted by others when they are on duty.

A service dog like Gus costs $25,000 to raise and train, but the dogs are leased to qualified candidates for eight years at no cost. In the Scotts' case, the Lions Club of Oakville helped with the donation.

“They're supporting the west because the west coast school is maxed out and waitlists are long,” said Barb. “Now their list is closed and there are over 250 families waiting for service dogs.”

Service dogs are matched specifically to the family or individual based on needs.

Elizabeth Rummel School has also been “fantastic to work with,” said Barb. Posters were plastered around the school about Gus and an assembly held to explain the basics as to Gus's importance to Jacoba and why he can't be touched when he's on duty.

He is proving to be a quite cherished presence for Jacoba; however, there are still barriers in this field for other children with ASD.

“The waitlists are closed for autism (assistance service dogs),” said Barb. “No matter what type of dog you're getting, they are on long waitlists because they are at max capacity. There are no funds (and no government funds) for these (autism assistance) dogs and the only way to support them is to come out and do these walks and donate money to the school.”

This Sunday (May 28), The Pet Valu Walk for Guide Dogs takes place at Canmore's Riverside Park. Registration starts at noon.

The Pet Valu Walk for Guide Dogs is a national fundraiser in more than 200 communities across Canada. Each walk is organized by local volunteers and with support from Lions Foundation of Canada.

“There are going to entertainers, a bouncy castle, (and) a service dog kissing booth, we just ask people make a donation,” said Barb. “If you come with a dog, you'll get a swag bag from Pet Valu as a thank you.”

For more, go to the Facebook page Bow Valley busker's walk for dog guides.

Turn headline: Dog walk this Sunday