Autism Assistance Dogs: Enabling Family Participation

Guest: Morgan Starkweather

Email [email protected]  Ithaca College’s Occupational Therapy Program 

Topics we Uncorked:

In the intro, I mentioned my episode on personal goal setting. Check it out here: February Growth Goals Raising an assistance dogWhat is the role of the raiser?What does the dog learn while living with the raiser? Role of assistance dogs in enabling participation and engagement in people with ASDSpeciality commands that match the handler’s needsHow dogs keep their handlers safeHow dogs can help their handlers with ADLs like eating and dressingDogs can encourage their handlers to participateFreedom for the family to not have to explain themselves in public Different types of assistance dogs (guide, hearing, and service)Assistance Dogs International Pepper is a guide dogMany organizations that raise and train assistance dogsMorgan raised Pepper through Guiding Eyes for the Blind The possible role of OT with assistance dog agencies for matching dogs with handlers  The benefits of doing a Masters thesis Learn how to advocate for OT in emerging practice areasLearn new methods for learning about people’s experiences 

Wine we Uncorked:

Paxis Red Blend (Bulldog)Portugal, 2013My take:  aromatic, but the taste was a bit tart and chalkyPros: less than $10Cons: I’m not likely to buy this vintage again, but I hear the 2017 and more recent vintages are much better, so I may give those a chance Lucas Vineyards SangriaFinger Lakes, NY, USA  

Book Recommendations:

Room by Emma Donoghue 

More from OT Uncorked: 

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