KITCHENER, Ont. — Seven-year-old Matthew Colombo and his autism assistance dog guide, Cash, are a wicked team.
To start with, both are as cute as a bug so watching the bond gently forming between the pair is heartwarming and affirming.
For Chris Fowler, this bond is critical.
Chris is head trainer for the autism assistance dog guides, part of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides’ programs where he and his wife, Heather Fowler, apprenticed. In 1996 the couple launched National Service Dogs, a non-profit organization west of Cambridge, Ont., that trains dogs for children like Matthew, children with autism.
The Fowlers’ dogs were in great demand across the country. But after years of steady growth, their finances took an unexpected tumble starting in 2008, when a $4-million annuity from the Banyan Tree Foundation dried up after its charitable status was revoked. The Fowlers then found themselves at odds with the board of directors over the organization’s future. They left in 2009, presenting a prime opportunity for the Lions Foundation, which had maintained a relationship with the Fowlers over the years.
“We’ve done very little with autism; we already had our hands full,” said Sandy Turney, executive director of Lions Foundation. “We had so many requests. There’s a huge demand.” She added: “You can’t just go out and hire a trainer. It’s highly specialized. There’s a three-year apprenticeship.”
Late last summer, the foundation simultaneously hired Chris Fowler and expanded the autism program, while Heather came aboard more recently to work on fundraising and developing relationships with various agencies.
“I’ve always respected them a lot,” Turney said. “We feel very lucky.”
Launched in 1983, Dog Guides provides assistance dogs in five programs: canine vision, hearing ear, special skills, seizure response and now autism assistance. All dogs are provided free of charge. Every year, the organization’s breeding program results in 200 puppies, which are raised in foster homes. When they’re old enough to begin training, they’re returned to the facility. Turney said “every dog is assessed to see which program it’s best suited for.”
Chris has already completed two training sessions and has placed 11 dogs with families across Canada, including the Colombos. Having an assistance dog can make a huge difference in the life of a child with autism.
“The No. 1 thing is to help Matthew progress through his life,” said his mother, Lisa Colombo. Lisa and her husband, Russell Colombo, fostered Matthew as an infant through Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region. They knew immediately they would adopt him.
“We knew he’d never leave us,” she said.
They also knew by the time he was nine months old that Matthew was having difficulties, which were eventually diagnosed as autism, a sleeping disorder and respiratory difficulties. The family lives in a spacious bungalow shared with their 11-year-old daughter, a pet Labrador and a guinea pig. Lisa said Matthew is “motivated by animals,” which made the decision to get an assistance dog an easy one.
Dealing with transitions is a major issue for children dealing with autism. It could be as simple as walking from one environment to another such as indoors to outdoors, or as highly stimulating as Christmas, with all its decorations and music. For a child with autism, transitions can be sensory overload, which leads to confusion and even fear. Cash, a Labrador/retriever cross, provides a calming and reassuring presence.
Some children with autism will also dart off unexpectedly, which is why the dogs are tethered to the children by a leash around their waist. This isn’t a problem with Matthew.
“When I come and do a match, it’s based on personality,” Chris said. “Matthew and Cash are similar — they’re both calm. They will rely on each other.”
The Colombos had to complete a one-week training session last month, living in residence at the Lions Foundations’ Oakville facility, where they learned how Cash could help their son. When they left, they brought Cash home and, using their new-found skills, introduced the dog to Matthew. Almost immediately they noticed there was less stress going to bed as Cash curled up on Matthew’s bed, always the reassuring presence.
His mother also noticed other positive changes in her son. Matthew is now aware of a particular teacher in school whose usual morning greetings were never acknowledged. “Now he says, ’Hi, Mrs. Martin, would you like to say hi to Cash?”’ Lisa said. She views the dog as “a bridge, a tool” in social situations.
Chris said he has worked with 250 autistic children over the years, matching them with the just the right dog. For some kids like Matthew, the bond is immediate.
“Other kids it can take six months to a year,” he said.
The trainer comes to the Colombos’ home to work with Matthew and Cash four or five times, taking them to public areas such as shopping centres or just on the street, ensuring the pair is working as a team. The dogs become an extension of the child, a bridge to the outside world which, for a child with autism, can be unnerving.
“The dog helps regulate this emotion,” Chris added.