In Spring 2017, Dogs for Better Lives successfully placed an Autism Assistance Dog with a young client in southern Oregon. Dinero, a 2 ½-year old black Labrador, better suited for autism work, came to Dogs for Better Lives from Guide Dogs for the Blind (San Rafael, California). Dinero successfully completed his Autism Assistance Dog training at Dogs for Better Lives in February 2017 and now resides with a family in White City, Oregon. Certified Assistance Dog Trainer Jessica Reichmuth spent six months training Dinero teaching him the skills necessary to work with a child on the Autism Spectrum.
“Dinero is more than just a dog to Jack (client). He is his confidant, best friend, and grounding agent when the world appears so vast and unyielding.”
Dinero has made a significant impact on the life of this child with autism and his family, as evidenced by the family’s recent trip to the Oregon Coast. Dinero is the third Autism Assistance Dog in the last ten months to be trained and placed by Dogs for Better Lives. We are now accepting applications for children 4-11 years old and residing in Oregon and Washington.
Current data from the Centers for Disease Control states that 1 in 68 children in the United States are on the Autism spectrum. As a result, there is a tremendous need for Autism Assistance Dogs and Dogs for Better Lives is working to meet this ever-growing need.
