All Ready For Sassy!

Two more days and counting! We have everything we need. Here's Jack displaying Sassy's stuff:

We got a "Vittles Vault" for Sassy's food and we poured the food in today. The food, Canidae, is what she's been eating in Connecticut and North Star recommended we keep Sassy on this food. It's pretty fancy-pants food as we can only get it at Natural Pet Northwest Store! (Sorry Aunt Kris (who works for PETCO))

Sassy's dog crate is set up in Jack's room. Here's Jack showing off his new set up.

As recommeded by Aunt Kris, we got a ped bed from Costco so that Sassy has a spot downstairs where she can relax. It makes the kids smell like pine chips.

We also have a bunch of cool dog toys and treats that Aunt Kris and Uncle Mike sent up from San Diego. So we are all set to have Sassy on Saturday! We are all very excited and can't wait to meet her.

What are the benefits of an Autism Service Dog?

We often have people ask us why did we decide to get Jack a service dog. Many people only know of seeing-eye dogs for the blind or assistance dog for people with physical disabilities.

In a nutshell, the benefits of having an autism sevice dog are plentiful! Sassy will eventually be trained to hold an "extended down" when Jack is having a melt-down to help calm him. Most people's first reaction when a dog sits at their feet is to pet the dog. It's been shown that the act of petting a dog is very calming and somewhat theraputic. As you read in the story below, it definitely works for Jack.

Also, North Star's "Service Dog in Training" vest that Sassy will wear says: "Please ask to pet me" to encourage people to ask Jack to pet his dog and initiate conversation with him. It will help him interact with the general community who would otherwise just walk by him.

Because autism often makes children socially awkward, Sassy will be as Jack's special friend. Someone who he will always be able to count on being there for him without judgment and without the need for traditional social interaction that is needed by his peers. Since Jack doesn't have "friends" (in the same way that Vanessa does anyway), he will at the very least, have Sassy.

All other general benefits of having a pet apply too. Although there are many other benefits, I just wanted to focus on the ones that will make a huge difference in Jack's life. For more information on the benefits, visit: http://www.northstardogs.com/autism.shtml.