Autism Dog Services (ADS) is a small but mighty organization whose primary focus is to provide autism service dogs to people over 3-years-of-age with autism and related disorders.Executive Director, Vicky Spadoni, told Brantford Sunrise members during a January meeting ADS is the only organization in Canada (as of January 2024) that recognizes the diagnosis of autism doesn't stop at age 18, and it is also the only organization now supporting adults and seniors being diagnosed with autism. Vicky said more and more people are being diagnosed later in life, helping the person understand an issue they knew existed all along.
In explaining the role of an autism service dog, Vicky said ADS is training a working dog, not a family pet. Although the animals do have some down-time at home, when a service dog is wearing his/her jacket, they are working. Vicky said Henry plays a dual role, as a working autism service dog and an ambassador for ADS. She said autism dogs save lives, demonstrating, with Henry, how the dog would respond to an autistic child who "bolts".
ADS has 137 working grad dogs supporting clients, with 50 dogs in training, and 2 litters of lab puppies. Autism Dog Services includes a territory that covers Brant, Norfolk, Niagara, London, K-W and Toronto. More information on Autism Dog Services is available through their website at www.autismdogservices.ca
PHOTO: Vicky Spadoni, Executive Director (Autism Dog Services) and Good Boy Henry