Laurie Ewen is grateful to have a service dog in her family, since her son is on the autism spectrum and can be comforted quickly when the animal is nearby.
Bingo, a four-year-old black Labrador, can be used as a fidget toy when Stephen Walcer, 12, becomes agitated, explained Ewen. Bingo can use his bodyweight as sensory input to calm Walcer. Both sleep in the same bed, which helps the boy fall asleep, while the dog also helps Walcer calm down after football games.
“Before we had Bingo into the school, Stephen would run away from school regularly,” she continued.
One year Walcer ran away from school 20 times; since Bingo arrived, the boy has run away only once. He has also learned to ask teachers for help.
It’s awesome to have Bingo, since he is similar to a best friend, said Walcer, who is in Grade 7. “He can de-pressure (me) if I need. He can also help with anxiety. If I need to play with his ears, I can.”
The family went for ice cream on the night Bingo arrived more than two years ago, said Ewen. That was the first time they finished their treats, since Walcer’s autism made it difficult to do that before. There are little things the family was unable to do before Bingo arrived.
“He’s been a godsend,” she added.
Ewen and Walcer were at the Moose Jaw Public Library on April 4 to speak about service dogs. The animals can be trained to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing; are blind or visually impaired; experience seizures; have physical or medical disabilities; are diabetic; have autism; or have experienced trauma.
The Lions Foundation of Canada trained Bingo and connected him with Walcer, Ewen explained. It takes four to six months to train a dog for autism clients. Families have to fill out paperwork and be interviewed to ensure they support a service dog. The foundation also ensures the child and dog are a match.
It takes about one year for the dog and child to bond.
Even though the service dog’s harness says “Do Not Pet,” many people think it’s still acceptable to do that, laughed Ewen. However, petting and talking to service dogs is prohibited.
“If he gets distracted, he might miss something,” she said. “That can be fatal, especially for seizure response or the diabetic dogs. If they miss a signal on their person, that can be the difference between having a seizure in the middle of traffic or being able to get someplace safe, or getting your insulin in time.”
People forget that service dogs are a medical device, Ewen pointed out. They are no different than a wheelchair. Service dogs have a job to do and should be ignored.
A service dog costs $25,000 to train, but that cost is covered by donations from individuals and businesses.
A Walk for Dog Guides fundraiser is happening on Sunday, May 26 at Wellesley Park, Wakamow Valley, past the Burger Cabin. Funds raised from this event will also support the purchase of service dogs. For more information, call 306-630-6529, or follow @mjdogwalk on Twitter and Instagram.
