In eastern Ontario, two families have recently welcomed special four-legged companions into their homes to assist their children with autism. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (CGDB) has a long-standing history of providing guide and mobility assistance dogs throughout Canada, but there has been a noticeable increase in requests for autism service dogs in recent years.
Msindisi Bunguza, an instructor at CGDB, shared that the organization decided to explore autism support dog training in 2025 to meet the growing demand for such services. Training for autism support dogs differs from other assistance dogs as they need to be comfortable working with children, especially very young ones. The dogs undergo specialized training to ensure they can handle interactions with autistic children who may not always understand boundaries when interacting with them.
One crucial aspect of the training involves acclimating the dogs to various stimuli and behaviors that they may encounter while supporting autistic children. Bunguza emphasized the importance of teaching the dogs how to respond appropriately when children exhibit overwhelming emotions, including placing their paws or bodies on the child for comfort and regulation.
The Beall family in Pembroke, Ont., is one of the families benefitting from this specialized training, particularly through their yellow Labrador named Fred, who supports their four-year-old daughter, Norah. Norah’s mother, Lindsay Beall, highlighted the limited accessibility to autism services in Ontario, making Fred’s assistance invaluable in enhancing Norah’s daily life.
Fred plays a crucial role in preventing Norah from wandering off, a common behavior for her. By being attached to Norah’s waist while out with the family, Fred enables them to engage in various community activities with ease. This newfound freedom has allowed the Beall family to participate in more outings, fostering inclusivity for Norah and her older brother.
Beyond preventing wandering, Fred also aids Norah in regulating her emotions, enhancing her sleep routine, and promoting social interactions. Lindsay Beall noted the positive impact Fred has had on Norah’s social development by creating opportunities for her to engage with others and build connections.
The successful placement of the second autism support dog with a family in Rockland, Ont., reflects CGDB’s commitment to expanding this program further in the coming year. Witnessing the positive changes and feedback from families undergoing this transformative experience fills Bunduza with pride and motivation to continue supporting families in need.