BluePath Service Dogs

Bluepath Service Dogs, Inc. raises, trains and places Service Dogs in families with children with autism. Annually, Bluepath participates in a number of community events, providing extensive education around autism spectrum disorders and Service Dogs, and garnering continued support for its mission. Bluepath's autism Service dog program includes puppy raising, formal training and placement components. Volunteer puppy raisers devote their time and expertise to preparing labrador and golden retriever puppies to become well-adjusted Service Dogs. Beginning at eight weeks of age, puppies are taught basic obedience skills and appropriate home behavior. Raisers expose the eager pups to all the world has to offer, enabling them to develop a reference library of sights, sounds, and experiences needed to become well-trained Service Dogs. At approximately 18 months of age, Bluepath Dogs begin formal training during which time a professional instructor builds on the foundation the puppy raiser has instilled, teaching the dog increasingly advanced behaviors. Dogs acquire skills like "anchoring" (learning how to stop a child from wandering or bolting) and "visit" (providing grounding support by the dog resting its head on the child). Prior to placement in their forever homes, Bluepath Dogs engage with the community via the paws to learn program, in which they provide therapeutic support in schools, camps, residential homes, and day-habilitation settings. Paws to learn partners report that Bluepath Dogs provide emotional support, assistance with mood regulation, opportunities for social engagement and connectedness, and increased physical activity. More than 2,500 individuals are impacted by this program each year. At approximately two years of age, Bluepath Service Dogs are ready to be placed in the homes of families with children with autism. Bluepath currently serves families with children with autism between the ages of 5 and 11 years old who live within two hours of wappingers falls, ny. Lifetime follow-up support is provided. Both the Dogs and lifetime support are free of charge.