Special Canines Transform the Lives of Children with Autism

(Montreal, February 12, 2008)-For Immediate Release

Quebec families of children with Autism will soon benefit from the permanent placement of Assistance Canines in their homes. The newly created PACCK Foundation places specially trained dogs into homes of children with Autism – helping to accelerate the children’s development.

“PACCK is all about families and children,” said Nancy Cummings Gold, President of the PACCK Foundation. “Our Autism Assistance Canine program is designed to help keep kids safe, secure and assist in deepening their emotional and social connections.”

Brodie, now 16, was diagnosed with Autism 13 years ago. For Brodie’s mother, Maureen, the diagnosis was a heartbreak but also a new chapter in their lives.

“I never thought a label would be important but it was a relief because we knew what we were dealing with,” she explained.

Brodie, like 1 in 165 children in Quebec, has Autism Spectrum Disorder.

As a young child, Brodie was severely anti-social and did not like to be touched. Like many children with Autism, he showed very aggressive and self-harming behaviours.

 “His aggression towards himself and others increased with time,” said Maureen, who worries about her son’s safety. “Brodie liked banging his head on ceramic tile floors. Brodie also loved headlights on cars- he was fascinated with that. He never thought twice about getting in front of moving vehicles. He had no sense of danger. He would walk off with anyone because no one was a stranger to him.”

Brodie’s parents were committed to getting him the help he desperately needed . Not long after Brodie’s diagnosis, they turned to National Service Dogs based in Cambridge, Ontario to acquire an Autism Assistance Canine. When Shade joined their family, Brodie’s fear of the outside world was taken away and a barrier was removed from his life.

“The dog kept Brodie grounded. It kept him from fleeing into danger and his emotions from peaking,” explained Maureen. “He was able to connect to people and not be afraid of them. Even the self-harming behaviours disappeared within a short time after we got Shade. His sleep pattern improved and we all began to feel more ease. To us, this was a miracle!”

The PACCK Foundation is a non-profit organization that uses Autism Assistance Canines to help children with Autism build bridges to the world around them. The launch of the PACCK Foundation’s Autism Assistance Canine program means that Quebec families can discover new possibilities and find comfort in knowing that their child has a special watchdog and caring companion.