Autistic Pupils Help To Train Assistance Dogs скачать в хорошем качестве

Autistic Pupils Help To Train Assistance Dogs

Assistance Dogs Australia has launched a pioneering project to involve autistic school pupils in the training of their dogs. The organisation, which receives support from Ceva, has trialled the scheme in Heathcote High School close to their headquarters in Engadine on the outskirts of Sydney where a group of young people have taken part in the project. Heathcote is a mainstream school but 14 of its pupils, who join special classes for autistic children, have jhelped with the programme, which involves working with dogs on a number of tasks including obstacle courses and performing various tasks in the classroom. Founded in 1996, Assistance Dogs Australia trains and places dogs with Australians who have physical disabilities, autism or suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome as well as providing a range of services to these individuals and their families. The dogs are placed free of charge with clients across Australia. It takes two years to train a puppy and costs over $40,000 to provide a qualified Assistance Dog. This covers all training, food, veterinary treatment, kennelling costs and placement with a client and there is currently a long waiting list for dogs. Assistance Dogs Australia’s Occupational Therapist, Claire Dickson, who has been running the sessions at Heathcote School said: “The major goals that stood out in each student’s individual education plan was building confidence and self-esteem and also improving social skills so these were the areas that we targeted.” Year 9 student, Cameron, who took part in the programme,said:” “It’s great to tach the dogs skills, it’s friendly, it’s fun and the dogs are very loyal.” The shortage of dogs was highlighted by Learning and Support Officer, Aly Cole, who joined the Heathcote sessions. “The pupils just came to life when they came in and saw the dogs,” she said. “To be able to have dogs rfeadily available around Australia would be fatnastic because many of these kids are really on the margins and it would be a major benefit to them if they had access to more dogs.” Ceva Australia has sponsored Assistance Dog Lola who is placed with in North Gosford Learning Centre working alongside young people who face a series of challenges and recently sponsored a young puppy, Thor, who is currently going through the Assistance Dogs Australia programme of housing and then training.