View Products |  Sign In

Autism Service Dogs

October 1, 2020

Over the last year-and-a-half Kim Rosenbaum has witnessed firsthand the positive impacts that her family’s four-year-old Yellow Lab-Golden Retriever mix Autumn has had on her household.

But Autumn isn’t really a pet. She was trained and adopted by Rosenbaum from BluePath Service Dogs for her 15-year-old daughter Lindsay, the oldest of her four children. Lindsay is autistic, has been mostly non-verbal and like many others on the spectrum is prone to wandering and elopement.

However, Autumn keeps Lindsay anchored, whether it’s in a department store, a restaurant or anywhere else the family may go.

“It’s difficult for us to do activities as a family, and when I took Lindsay out, we were always worried about her safety because she tends to wander off, and yet having Autumn has allowed us to do more activities as a family,” said Rosenbaum, a Purchase resident. “And Autumn has really become Lindsay’s best friend. She’s been a wonderful addition to our family, particularly during this pandemic. Not only did she help Lindsay, but at some point, almost everyone in the family.”

BluePath Service Dogs founder Michelle Briar said the dogs are particularly effective for children who are smaller. The dog can more block or help guide a child to where he or she is supposed to go or to stay in place.

“Our dogs and kids are connected by a specially-designed tether system, and when the child goes to bolt, the dog anchors the child, and each dog has its own anchoring position, that they effectively stop that child from getting into a dangerous situation,” Briar said.

But a specially-trained service dog that can offer crucial safety, companionship and a chance at independence for autistic children and young adults takes resources. The Hopewell Junction-based BluePath Service Dogs, which was established in 2016 and has paired 16 people with a canine service companion, breeds and trains its dogs, which costs about $40,000 each, Briar said. Another 40 dogs are currently being trained, she said.

BluePath charges a relatively nominal fee of $1,200 for a family who is adopting a dog for a family member, she said. The rest of the cost must be raised through donations and fundraising events.

That’s why for the fourth consecutive year, BluePath was scheduled to hold its annual walkathon at FDR State Park in Yorktown on Saturday morning, Oct. 3. Similar to hundreds of other events, though, the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation and turned it into a virtual experience.

There will be a 15- to 20-minute online warmup and introduction and then participants can head out into their neighborhoods or wherever they feel most comfortable to complete one of three distances ranging from a half-mile to three miles, Briar said.

“We encourage everyone to go out and walk, and our theme is separately but together, and while at the event there’s varying distances that people walk at. It’ll be the same thing as the live, physical event,” she said.

Rosenbaum said since adopting Autumn in April 2019, the dog has helped Lindsay in multiple ways. Not only does she keep her daughter safe but also provides an important connection with other people. When she is out with Lindsay and Autumn, Rosenbaum said people seem to gravitate to them, ask questions and look to pet the dog. She said it helps her daughter with socialization and even verbalization.

“It’s been incredible,” said Rosenbaum, who will be participating in the virtual walkathon with her family. “We’re so thankful for BluePath and we like to support them any way we can.”

Register Your Dog

Check Out Our Store

  • Recent News

    Walmart customer denied her access to service dog

    March 10, 2024

    Walmart customer with POTS says employees denied her access to service dog. customer can ruin everything. One Walmart shopper whose service dog alerted them to sit down on the ground due to a postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, which is a fainting disorder, says that not only did the store’s staff attempt to deny her access […]

    Read more

    2024 Assistance Dog ID Cards Are Here!

    January 2, 2024

    Hello From Assistance Dogs Of America 2024 ID Cards Are Here! Wishing all of you a Happy New Year!   ADARegistry.com

    Read more

    Cyber Monday Service Dog Kits

    November 16, 2023

    CYBER MONDAY SPECIAL! (While Supplies Last) Complete Kits Include The ID Card Created Upon Registration, ID Card Holder, QR Coded Patch, Choice Of Vest, Extra Patch Of Choice, Bandana, Retractable Leash With ADA Logo, Tag & Registration Letter. Also All Included Is The All New Metal QR Coded Registration Card That Links Direct To Your […]

    Read more

    Airbnb Host Canceled Over Veteran’s Service Dog

    September 28, 2023

    While Boston couple Lauren Laliberte and Steve Bohn were busy preparing for their Cape Cod wedding, they were looking forward to celebrating alongside Bohn’s service dog — a yellow labrador named Orion. The plan was simple: They would make the trek from Boston to the Cape, and stay in an Airbnb the nights before and after […]

    Read more

    Make A QR Code With Your Dogs Picture & Link To Your Registration

    July 6, 2023

    Make A QR Code That Links To Your Dogs Registration Click Here It’s easy Click or Scan The Code & Add Your Dogs Photo Then Add Your Dogs Registration Link. Click Or Scan The Code

    Read more

    New Stainless Steel QR CODE Support Dog ID Cards

    March 25, 2023

                    Scan from anywhere at anytime. Simply scan and activate when you receive your card. This card links direct to your existing registration page on this site with showing the most the current letter  and ID and all your other Registration information. If you ever change your registration […]

    Read more

    Special Pricing For Service & Support Dog Kits

    November 30, 2022

    149.00+Shipping Click Here To View While Supplies Last!

    Read more

    Emotional Support Dogs Now In Schools

    October 29, 2022

    Pete, is there for students to feel supported in times of distress. THORNTON, Colo. — Westgate Community School is helping its students feel safe with a lending paw from a four-legged friend. The K-12 school in the Adams 12 school district added a facility dog named Pete to their school counseling team to help provide […]

    Read more

  • 0
      0
      Your Cart
      Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
        Calculate Shipping
        Apply Coupon