Partners and Paws

our friend Logan continued from cover

Autism Spectrum Disorder refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, communication, and sensory sensitivities. ASD is different for everyone. For Logan, it means all his senses are heightened. Hearing the buzzing in the lights, every conversation around him, bright lights become blinding; that is Logan’s world every day. When our Saint Francis team first met Logan and his parents, Erin and Wayne, Logan was two years old and non-verbal. It was clear that Erin and Wayne would move heaven and earth for their son, and they were just the kind of team that could benefit from partnership with a service dog. Service dogs learn over 40 skills and tasks to help people with physical and developmental disabilities.

Logan and Trooper

For people with autism, they can also provide a helpful focus to redirect attention from overstimulation, can go for help when necessary, and can perform a task called “pressuring,” where they apply their weight onto the legs or chest of their partners to help calm them down. Logan was matched with a two-year old golden retriever named Trooper. Erin credits the incorporation of Trooper into Logan’s speech and occupational therapy with his communication breakthroughs. Logan also developed abdominal epileptic seizures, which caused him to shut down. He stopped talking, eating, and drinking. Erin says that working with Trooper is what brought her son back. When Logan turned 10, it came time for Trooper to retire and live out his golden years as a beloved pet. Logan, however, was not retiring. Ace was Logan’s second Saint Francis Service Dog. Ace attended school with Logan every day and helped him function during the school day and in public places. While we are not able to train dogs for seizure alert, many take to it naturally, and Ace was able to alert Logan’s parents and school staff before he was about to have a seizure. Ace was with Logan for every dentist and doctor visit, and every surgery. With Ace by his side, Logan graduated from high school on time with the rest of his class.

Service dogs learn over 40 skills and tasks to help people.

Logan and Ace

3