Rosie O'Donnell discusses her experience with autism service dogs and her role as a primary handler. Kaylie Schmidt, a volunteer autism service dog coach, joins the conversation. They explore the impact of service dogs on autistic children and the training process. Rosie reflects on her 10-day training at Selmar and the emotional connection between a child and their service dog.
Autism service dogs provide support and assistance to autistic children, benefiting both the child and their entire family.
Understanding autism from autistic adults' perspectives is crucial in finding effective therapies and support, including the use of service dogs.
Deep dives
The Impact of Guide Dogs of America for Autism Service
This podcast episode discusses the transformative impact of Guide Dogs of America on families with autistic children. The speaker shares their personal experience with obtaining an autism service dog and how it has changed their child's life and their entire family dynamic. The interviewee, Kaylee Schmidt, shares how she discovered the organization and the process of getting a service dog. She highlights the importance of having a service dog for autistic children, providing them with support, comfort, and assistance in navigating the world. The episode emphasizes the positive outcomes and the joy that comes from having a service dog for children with autism.
Discovering Autism Service Dogs and Building Connections
Kaylee Schmidt, an autistic mom, shares her discovery of autism service dogs and how they can help autistic individuals and their families. She talks about her own journey in researching therapies and support for her children and finding the perfect fit with a service dog. She emphasizes the importance of understanding autism from autistic adults' perspectives and learning from their experiences. Kaylee also highlights the deep emotional connection between the service dog and the child, as well as the dog's intuitive understanding of their needs. She emphasizes the life-changing impact that these dogs can have in empowering autistic individuals to engage in the world.
The Emotional Journey and Transformation Through Autism Service Dogs
The podcast delves into the emotional journey and transformation experienced by families with autism service dogs. The speaker, Rosie O'Donnell, shares her personal connection to the topic and highlights the emotional significance of having a service dog for her autistic child. She and the guest speaker discuss the challenges and isolation experienced by families with autism, as well as the profound impact of the service dogs in enabling social engagement and reducing anxiety. They touch on the intensive application process and training involved, while stressing the incredible dedication and expertise of the trainers and puppy raisers. The episode celebrates the unique bond between the dogs and the children, acknowledging the life-changing support they provide.
The Power of Service Dogs in Enabling Social Participation
The podcast explores the power of autism service dogs in facilitating social participation and breaking down barriers for autistic individuals. The speakers discuss the limitations and misconceptions surrounding the social capabilities of autistic individuals and emphasize their desire for relationships and meaningful interactions. They highlight the role of service dogs in providing comfort, support, and assistance in navigating social environments. The episode also emphasizes the need for acceptance and understanding of autistic individuals as having a different operating system rather than needing a cure. It concludes with a recognition of the profound impact that service dogs have in allowing autistic individuals to have fulfilling social experiences and access to a broader range of human experiences.
This week's episode is entirely about Rosie's experience with 'Guide Dogs of America' and what autism service dogs can do, not only for the child with autism but for the entire family.
Learning about these service dogs who worked with autistic children, it was quickly realized that the child themself is not the dog's handler, so, Rosie became the designated adult, the 'Primary Handler' for her kiddo. Her guest, Kaylie Schmidt, is the volunteer autism service dog coach, that along with the Guide Dog of America trainers, worked with Rosie and the other autism mom during the 10 day in-campus hands on training period. An experience Rosie calls life changing.
