Dogs able to assist people with many disabilities
The old adage, “Dog is man’s best friend” is true. Just ask Lori and Bruce Semon of Glendale.
Their son, Avi, 15, was diagnosed as autistic at age four. But with the help and companionship of his new friend, Abner, a two-year-old Golden Labrador Cross, he is attending Nicolet High School.
According to mom Lori, “We heard that an autistic child in Appleton was being assisted by a dog trained through Canine Companions for Independence, a national non-profit organization. We contacted its North Central Regional Center in Delaware, Ohio, and were put on a waiting list.”
After three long years of waiting, Avi was accepted last August.
Founded in 1975, CCI pioneered the concept of training dogs to assist people with disabilities other than blindness. Offering “exceptional dogs for exceptional people,” the program aims to help the disabled take charge of their lives.
CCI breeds its own dogs, who live with volunteer puppy raisers for a year and a half until they are ready for eight months of advanced training.
While the organization maintains ownership of the dog, the family is responsible for its care. So once Avi was accepted last summer, the Semon family, minus one child who was at camp, traveled to Delaware for two weeks of intense educational training and certification.
“During our training,” Lori said, “we all learned the many commands that Abner had been taught. Knowing these interactive commands has led to a bond of companionship, affection and love.”
She added, “Team training teaches the skills and concepts necessary to be an effective assistance dog handler. And CCI provides ongoing follow-up support.”
One of CCI’s main goals is to increase the communication and interactive skills of the recipient.
The Semons already see that happening for Avi. “Though Avi is not capable of being 100 percent trustworthy [with Abner],” his mother added, “we’ve seen so much growth and development in these few months that it is just amazing. Avi often operates at a high anxiety level, and we’ve had difficulty controlling him in crowded places. But just patting the dog seems to relax him. Also, the dog has helped Avi’s speech, as he has learned to give commands.”
Admitting that while she may not always understand Avi’s words, “Abner does. And he is showing a sense of awareness for his dog.”
High school dog
Since his arrival, the dog has accompanied Avi to stores, musuems and restaurants — everywhere Avi goes. “We took him on an airplane to attend a family wedding in Los Angeles, where he made his debut on the dance floor,” Lori laughed.
And, most important, he goes to Nicolet High School with Avi for his early morning biology class.
Bruce said, “Avi likes to be in school, and I think the dog makes it easier for him to be in new situations. He becomes anxious because he doesn’t speak, and it seems the dog is able to reduce his anxiety, just by being with him. The fact that the dog is with him first hour helps him get stable for the rest of the day. And school aide Carol Szudrowitz, a special ed specialist, is also very reasurring for him.”
With the exception of physical education class and his speech and occupational therapy sessions, Szudrowitz spends the whole school day with Avi.
“I was hired by the school district for the special education department and then assigned to Avi. I have ten years of special ed experience and feel very confident in this situation,” Szudrowitz said.
The family hopes that as his school aides and therapists become certified, Avi will be able to bring Abner to more classes. Right now, his father serves as the adult facilitator in the classroom.
“Nicolet has been fantastic in supporting our needs. The dog is always on two leashes — Avi holds one and the facilitator holds the other. The school prepared the faculty and the student body for Abner’s arrival. I think this is the first time in recent history that a trained dog comes to school. The staff has been very open about it and the students seem to like him,” Lori said.
“This shows what high schools can do,” said Elliott Moeser, Nicolet superintendent. “It’s an example of how we can be flexibile in terms of meeting the needs of our students. Our staff and students have acted in a very mature manner, so it’s been good for the student and it’s been good for everyone. And, the dog is marvelous — he’s like another student.”
Avi’s biology teacher Christine Kolb said, “While this is a different experience for all of us, it is working out very well. We all love the dog and I feel this is a good learning environment for Avi.
“From his tests, I know he is learning. And, from the experience, we’re all learning. His classmates are very accepting of Abner and Avi.”
Avi communicates via a small keyboard and printer and according to his parents, “is doing age appropriate school work. Math is his best subject. Maybe numbers are easier for him.”
Also involved in extracurrular activities, Avi participates in the Special Olympics in volleyball, basketball and track. “His best activity,” Bruce said, “is swimming, but it’s not included in the Special Olympics. I think he likes being with other kids like him. He’s definitely aware that he’s different from the Nicolet kids who go to dances, on dates and other stuff. The older he gets, the bigger the gap gets.”
However, the Semons are pleased that not only has the dog helped Avi deal with his emotional states and weather crises better, he also gives Avi a feeling of control and responsibility.
“It’s his dog. We’re so happy he likes the dog and that he has developed a sense of caring for him. When he walks in the door, the first thing he does is head for the kennel,” his mom said.
The family doesn’t have any long-term goals at this point. Lori said, “We’re taking one day at a time. We don’t know if Avi will ever be able to be alone with him. Abner is still a dog and we would never take a chance. But Avi is practicing holding the leash alone — if just for a few steps.”
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