Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Heeling Autism Program Transforming Lives – One Dog at a Time

A pioneer in the guide dog field, Guiding Eyes for the Blind is now assisting children with autism and their families. Over the past six years, Guiding Eyes has placed 49 dogs through its Heeling Autism program. This April, during National Autism Awareness Month, the nonprofit will welcome six more families to their Yorktown Heights headquarters to meet their children’s new autism service dogs for the first time.

Heeling Autism dogs ensure safety for children with autism and help them to develop lasting emotional and social bonds. As a result, families are able to lead more normal, less stressful lives. Parents often report other life-changing benefits as well, including increased independence, confidence and social acceptance.

“Our April graduating class includes six very special dogs – Pekoe, Madison, Leila, Juanita, Loyal and Maple,” said Caroline Sandler, Director of the Heeling Autism Program. “Each one has undergone extensive training to prepare for the road ahead.”

In many cases, having a Heeling Autism dog can be a matter of life or death; drowning is the leading cause of death among children with autism who wander away from a safe environment. Parents rank their children’s wandering or bolting as one of the most stressful of all behaviors.

“Kelso is the best thing that has happened to us,” says Lynda Mitrione, mother of six year-old Nicky, who received Heeling Autism dog Kelso last April. “Before Kelso, going out anywhere with Nicky was extremely stressful. He would constantly run away from us and we would spent more than half our time chasing him.”

Before receiving Heeling Autism dogs, parents tell Guiding Eyes how they fear for their children's safety. Parents worry about their children's isolation, because those with autism have little or no ability to bond with people, even their own parents. Heeling Autism dogs are allowing whole families to go to a school soccer game, or the seashore, or Disney for the very first time.

Mitrione continued, “Everyone who meets Kelso loves him. Going out is no longer stressful. The absolute best part is walking through parking lots, which used to be one of the scariest things. Now I barely even have to look at Kelso or Nicky and we have conquered them all. Nicky has a best friend now and Kelso sucks the stress right out of all our lives.”

Each child receiving a dog has experienced an improvement in one or more areas, such as bolting behaviors, verbal abilities, sleeping patterns, and social interactions. Each dog is individually trained to meet the needs of a specific child. The sooner a child receives help, the more likely he or she is to break away from autism’s social barriers and emotional obstacles.

“We hope the presence of a Heeling Autism service dog in our home will finally allow us to travel as a family again,” shared Port Chester resident Peter Short, father of eight year-old Jasper. “We used to travel regularly before Jasper's autism made it too daunting and hope that, with Madison, we can expand our family's horizons.”

The Cole-Short family will receive Heeling Autism Madison, one of the six dogs in April’s graduating class. “I know Madison will become Jasper's companion and friend. He will be able to navigate the world safely and more comfortably with her beside him,” said Short.

Guiding Eyes invests significant resources into breeding, raising and training these special dogs, yet does not charge families for any of its services. There is no cost for the dogs or the long-term professional training needed to ensure every family’s success.

There are many ways to support Heeling Autism. Donate or find out how to volunteer your time at www.guidingeyes.org. Cell phone users may text the word “GUIDE” to phone number 80888 to donate $10 to further Guiding Eyes’ programs and services.

“Our volunteers and donors enable us to make a lasting difference,” said Sue Dishart, Guiding Eyes’ Vice President for Marketing and Development.  “We regularly hear how our supporters’ own lives are forever changed as a result of their connection to Guiding Eyes.”

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and can be reached at 914.245.4024. For more information on the Heeling Autism program, visit https://www.guidingeyes.org/prospective-students/children-with-autism/.

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind: Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an internationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. In 2008, the school launched Heeling Autism, a service dog program designed to provide safety and companionship for children on the autism spectrum. Guiding Eyes provides all of its services at no cost, and is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more info, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.