Frankly Frankston spoke to Georgina Ablett, a Director of Dogs for Kids with Disabilities. And the first thing she told us? “It’s tough being a fairly unknown charity.”

DKD is a not-for-profit organisation (with no government funding) based in Carrum Downs. They train dogs for children with autism, intellectual and physical challenges and other developmental disorders. They specialise in training full assistance dogs; who wear a service dog coat and have full public access to go anywhere their owner goes. These dogs can calm a child with Autism during a meltdown, walk tethered beside a child to prevent them running away and enable the family to access the community and complete regular tasks that were otherwise impossible or too hard to do.

DKD also train companion dogs. These dogs do not have the extra training to enable them to be allowed everywhere, but provide friendship to a child in a home environment. However, they still help the children to increase their confidence, lower their anxiety and provide companionship. Both companion and assistance dogs are taught a variety of - techniques, such as ‘hug’ with a head, paw or body which is especially relevant for children with autism who may not like - touch - but the dogs tend to be an exception.

Layla, a bright and bubbly six-year-old girl who loves animals and jumping on the trampoline, suffers from autism, anxiety disorder and has difficulty regulating her sensory input.  This was until she was matched with Elmo.

Layla’s mum explains: “Before Elmo joined our family, Layla and I couldn’t be in a different room without her getting upset. Layla is now sleeping in her own room at night, without me, now that Elmo stays with her.”

To train one full assistance (with public access) dog takes 18 months to two years and the costs reach $40,000. In comparison, a companion dog costs $16,000. “Of course, we can’t expect these families who are already experiencing extra ‘additional needs’ financial expense to pay these amounts,” Georgina says. “So we ask families to fundraise half this amount towards costs associated with our program..”

And the other part of the payment? DKD relies on support from sponsors and fundraising events to assist in paying for each dog.  Training 50-55 puppies at any one time and having matched about 60 dogs with families since 2012 means this organisation is changing the lives of many children with additional needs. Completing all of this with only four employees is made possible with the help of more than 70 amazing volunteers.

A new breeding program is underway that aims to provide even more companion and assistance dogs over the coming years to meet client demand.  You can sponsor a puppy, donate, or even be a foster parent to a dog.

DOGS FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES
FB: Dogs.For.Kids.With.Disablities.

T: 0488 104 044