AutismLink and the Autism Centers of Pittsburgh recently announced a safety initiative that will train parents of children with autism in basic safety for their children.
Thanks to a generous grant from Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr., the Autism Center of Pittsburgh will be conducting “Operation Milkbone” — safety training for parents of children with autism. We also plan to offer demonstrations and education about the incredibly valuable resource of service dogs for those who have autistic children who run.
In conjunction with K9s For Kids, we will be holding informational seminars and demonstrations across Allegheny County to show parents the usefulness and dedication of service dogs for children with autism. Steve Kiray from K9s For Kids is a former police officer and member of several search and rescue response teams and is one of the only trainers in the Country who not only train his dogs to assist the individual child, he also trains the dogs to TRACK and SEARCH in the event that the child becomes lost or wanders away.
In addition to the parent and caregiver trainings that we will be holding across the County, AutismLink will be awarding one family with the ultimate gift — a service dog for their child.
Parents must meet a series of requirements to be considered to receive the dog. Please remember that owning a dog of this stature is an incredible responsibility that requires a great deal of time and effort on the part of the family. While the efforts in the first years of the dogs life may seem to be a lot — the reward is peace of mind, which is priceless. ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE FROM ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND BE ABLE TO PROVE RESIDENCY. Applicants must also be able to commit to training sessions and follow through.
- An application will be available online shortly. Please do not call the office.
- Because these animals are INCREDIBLY expensive, we only have ONE grant available.
- Income will be a major determining factor in the elimination process.
- Ability to commit will be a major determining factor in the elimination process.
- Please keep in mind the training is apox 1 year to 18 months ( will depend) on the dog.
- You will train ONCE a week, in Penn Hills. Rain, sun, snow, sleet, please keep in mind that your child is NOT going to run away on a Sunny Day in June.
- If for ANY reason the dog does NOT work out, YOU must let us know, as we will take the dog back, it is NOT to be given to another home. The dog will remain the property of K9s For Kids and the Autism Centers of Pittsburgh until it is determined that the dog is in a safe and loving home.
- You MUST pay for all vet visits, shots ect. Remember THIS IS YOUR DOG.
- We would ask ( not demand ) that you feed this dog ” a better quality” of food.
- As a favor to Autism link, we would ask that you send us pictures and how the dog has helped your child and occasionally attend information demonstrations and seminars for other parents.
- MUST NOT HAVE ALLERGIES IN THE HOUSEHOLD
- MUST OWN HOME – NO RENTERS
