About Autism Service Dogs

"a beloved family member"

In 2002, Priscilla Taylor, founder and director of Autism Service Dogs of America, incorporated her love of dogs and her background as a special education teacher and formed a service dog agency to serve the needs of children.  With a rise worldwide in the number of individuals with autism, Ms. Taylor recognized the service dog gap that existed for American families and their children who live with autism. While many service dog agencies existed to meet diverse needs, none specifically provided specially trained service dogs to children with autism.

Pris received some of her education in raising and training assistance dogs at Assistance Dog Institute, the only institution of higher education for dog studies in the world.

Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) is a non-profit, community based organization that provides uniquely trained service dogs to children living with autism and their families. The placement of a dog with the child enables the child and family to increase their mobility and socialization as a family, and the child individually. In most cases the dog accompanies the child at all times when the child leaves home. The dog goes to school with the child and the presence of the dog calms the child, reduces emotional outbursts and serves as a positive social link for the child to their home, school and community.

"service begins at home"

"Service dog attends child's clinic"