By Kelley Ashford
 
November 18, 2008
 
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- A nonprofit Southern Oregon group known for its work training shelter dogs for the deaf is introducing a new program, in the hopes of helping other groups as well.
 
Dogs for the Deaf in Central Point has begun an autism assistance dog training program, the first of its kind in the country. The goal is to provide an autistic child with both a calming effect and safety in public.
 
"With the increasing rates of autism in the country, we decided to get into training dogs for children with autism and... their families," says Robin Dickson with Dogs for the Deaf.
 
Ginger is the first dog to go through the new autism assistance dog program. Dogs for the Deaf Canine Instructor Carrie Brooks works with the four-year-old Black Lab on a daily basis.
 
"Training her to be basically attached to a child, at times working on her being a calming influence," says Dogs for the Deaf Canine Instructor Carrie Brooks.
 
All dogs trained at Dogs for the dDaf are rescued from shelters.
 
If you would like to learn more about dogs for the deaf's autism assistance dogs you can call 541-826-9220.