Canine Magic for Autistic 9-Year-Old

Willie Conlan, 9, of Mahopac, NY, now has Service Dog Charger by his side.

He and his mom, Tara Conlan, recently completed ECAD’s Team Training session and participated in the Canine Magic Program that provides Service Dogs to children with Autism. The two-week training session took place at ECAD’s Laura J. Niles Volunteer Center in Torrington, CT.

“Willie loves to cause mischief, to run, jump, climb, spin, anything that will give him sensory input. He particularly loves to swim,” said Tara Conlan.

Willie has had positive results at the Equine Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Cold Spring, NY, and at with the canine integration therapy at Sensory Stepping Stones in Mt. Kisco, NY, and has found ways to communicate with the animals, according to officials at ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities).

But Willie’s love of action has also led to instances of his “eloping” or “bolting” into open spaces. Now that he is older, he has dashed into the street and runs so fast that it is hard for family members to keep up with him.

Service Dog Charger will keep Willie grounded, wherever Willie goes, Charger will go and Willie’s parents will always be able to locate Charger. Charger has been trained to lessen Willie’s anxiety, to meet his sensory needs, and to stop him from “eloping” as the two will be tethered, ECAD officials said.

Willie and Service Dog Charger, a perfect Canine Magic Team, said officials at ECAD.

ECAD’s mission is to educate and place service dogs with people with disabilities so they will have greater independence and mobility. To date, ECAD has placed 300 service dogs in more than 20 states. Until consolidating in Connecticut this year, ECAD maintained operations at two campuses, one in Torrington, and the second at the Canine Training Center on the campus of Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry, NY.

PHOTO/ ECAD