There are two ways of going about this:

You can train your own lab, I had a link on my site that I have by the way, and it has the ways to train your own lab, then can get the vest from sitstay as permitted by the ADA. I have posted how they are trained by you and links, videos, pictures and also a scratch widget at bottom of page which talks about the benefits of training the dog yourself and how to do it with some help that doesn't cost much and sometimes, none at all. The trainers and people at Petsmart like to help you train your service dogs for free as you are training them around the store to see if they will handle it and be good at it, as well as want to do it. It's great Autism therapy-the natural kind!

The link has the skills... Here is some of what she does for me:

Just to start, a FEW things they can do are this, and I have one....getting a lab because we don't like separating our two shelties...However will still take Sasha out once in a while so she doesn't get so upset about not going all the time.

She helps me by starting conversations, alerting others that I have a disability, can help me remember to take my medications, labs can do a standstill if I freak out from something that would cause me to run out into the street...I can't, she's tethered to me, right now its that I realize I have her and she distracts me, and she also gives me deep pressure input by laying on my legs and that helps when I'm trying to sleep too. And licks me and gives me 'soft' scratches with her nails for input when I am overstimulated. She also is there so I can help balance sometimes when my vestibular is off because of being on the Autism Spectrum. And these are just to name a Few.

Luv,
Kris! :)


Also, there is the assistance dog international campaign you can try. They only take the vouchers in May I believe.


Also, an organization that is just sky-rocketing for people with autism is 4paws4ability, its on my website by the way, http://chat1autism.wetpaint.com/ and go to Service Dogs and then they have videos from them. Their organization you raise the money through donations, etc. so once you get the money together it is like a 'gift' to them and if it didn't work out, which they said it always has, then it stays with them. But, they do a lot of prospective work to figure out if you are right for them, most likely yes... They are soooo passionate about it. They then have you stay there for 2 weeks with them. They have therapy stuff too I guess now for the kids and adults who are autistic/aspergers. Unlike others, its good though, the others can take up to 2 years and not a lot of these places do dogs for people with Autism. I have the couple places listed on my site that do. Also, there is a place in New Mexico that has a training camp for 2 weeks and only costs $300.00, I don't know if they do dogs for people with Autism...I'll check


Good Luck and if you have any other questions for me, I'll answer!


Hugs,

Kris

Kris,
Thank you so much for your time and extensive knowledge. You appear to be the backbone of this site as well as others I have read your posts at. You are truly a blessing to all of us. I did finally find your web site last night and was trying to snoop around. I will have to check it out when I have some quiet down time.

I will try Petsmart and other local options first. Our springer loves Karsen. I am not so sure that Karsen loves our springer as he pokes him in the eyes, but Karsen also pokes himself in the eyes as well so I 'm not really sure if he is doing it to be mean or he thinks he doing the dog a favor....lol....not really funny but I'm not really sure how to help him with the sensory issues. I am just going to check out your website. Thanks again!!!

Hi froggy!

That was really sweet of you! :) That made me feel good. Glad you reposted this... Def. look into the Petsmart and everything. Sometimes bigger dogs are better, but that just all depends! Your dog could be great... :) Try and see...

Kris

petsmart will train my schnauzer as a service dog for free for adam???? are you serious????

Hi Priscila!

There are always trainers there (becuase they have training classes), and when they see a person trying to train themselves a service dog (and for autism) they always all the places I was come over and try to help you (for no fee at all) because they get excited and they help show you tricks as well as other dog owners when they see this as it melts there hearts. You can pay little for the classes but you can just go in there and 99.5% of the time someone of them is going to help you in the store to train them w/out you having to actually take the class. They are great people @ petsmart and are becoming aware of Autism and the costs of service dogs so love to help on the side free of charge...! :)

Kris

Especially when you are going there usually daily to start out, because you don't want to start out the service dog at Taco Bell, but at a pet safe place in the begininning for getting used to commands, learning, other dogs, people, etc. Also, get a training vest from sitstay.com and they will send you the vest and the two patches (service dog) (in training) - You have to get both, as its mandantory for quite a while longer than if you get one from an organization---they are in training, not fulfledged yet... I would say go for it and also FYI bigger dogs are better though, but I don't know what a Schnauzer is. You can get dogs from a friends for life or something and infer with the people there you are going to be training it for service and they will try to find you one that will be suitable for the job! They love that too...

Service dogs get 1/2 price to 3/4 off on vet visits as well since they are servicing people.!!! Awesome, ha?!

Also, SSI has to pitch in at least $50.00 more a month to help with the feeding, etc.

Kris