Guiding Eyes for the Blind has introduced a program in which its world-renowned dogs are trained to provide safety for children with autism. All of Guiding Eyes’ dogs come from a well-established breeding colony that produces dogs of superlative temperaments. Some of our dogs possess the ideal dispositions to become autism service dogs.

Heeling Autism dogs are trained to prevent a child with autism from bolting, and become an important element in keeping the child safe. Families involved in the program have also reported other, life-changing benefits from having a Heeling Autism dog in their homes.

A Heeling Autism dog in a family with an autistic child can:

• increase social acknowledgment of the child by his or her peers;
• provide companionship;
• reduce parental stress; and
• increase the child’s level of independence, confidence, and social acceptance.

Read a recent article about how dogs reduce stress in children with autism.

Eligibility Requirements

Families that apply for an autism service dog must meet specific requirements.  Some of these criteria are listed below.  Final acceptance is at the discretion of the Admissions committee.

1. Child must be 2-9 years old.
2. Child must have an autism diagnosis.
3. Child must live within 2 hour driving time from the Training School in Yorktown Heights. This is because the trainer has to make numerous trips to the family home for training and follow-ups.
4. All family members must be open to a service dog in the home.
5. No one in the home can be afraid of or allergic to dogs.
6. Child must need the service dog for safety.
7. The family must understand that an autism service dog represents a lifetime commitment.
8. One or both parents must be able to spend five days and four consecutive nights at our Yorktown campus. If the child has two custodial parents BOTH parents must spend Tuesday (8 AM-5 PM) of that week on campus for training.

Note: This program is for families with autistic children, not for children who are visually impaired.

Applications for this program are available only by phoning 914-243-2228 or emailing heelingautism@guidingeyes.org.  The application on this web site is only for use by blind and visually impaired people interested in our guide dog program.

Contact Information

For more information on this program:

Phone: 914-243-2228
Email: heelingautism@guidingeyes.org

To make a contribution to this program, contact Nancy Lothrop at nlothrop@guidingeyes.org or 914-243-2211.