About
About Us
Autism Dog Services (ADS) was founded in 2007 by Wade Beattie, a pioneer in the autism service dog field. ADS is accredited by Assistance Dogs International and is also a member of the Canadian Association of Guide and Assistance Dog Schools. ADS makes a very positive impact on the lives of children and their families and is honoured to serve the community with its strong values.
Who We Serve
ADS is a unique and highly effective provider of service dogs for children in between the ages of three to 18 years of age with autism and related disorders in most parts of Southwestern Ontario. All interested applicants have the right to be considered to receive a service dog.
Each ADS service dog enables a child, who may otherwise feel isolated, to build self-esteem and participate in school and community life.
Vicky Spadoni
Executive Director
vicky@autismdogservices.ca
(519) 722-2685
BIO
Vicky has devoted most of her career working for charities since 1998. Prior to this she worked in healthcare in Therapeutic Recreation. Her experiences all include the role of advocacy, leadership and fundraising for special populations. In fact, Vicky co-founded a national charity that was near and dear to her heart. She has advocated for causes either as an employee or volunteer that include: specialized transit for persons with disabilities, lung health, Children’s safety, Mitochondrial disorders, Autoimmune deficiencies, services for seniors and probation and parole to name a few.
Vicky grew up on her family farm so animals were her love and passion from a very young age just outside of Brantford, ON. Now, her husband Rick and her only adopt rescued dogs most with special needs of their own. She is very proud of her only son Adam who has and continues to face health and cognitive challenges like the champ he is!
Vicky loves her role as Executive Director for ADS and has held this position since 2017.
Allison Savard
Director, Client Services
allison@autismdogservices.ca
(519) 504-7658
BIO
Allison’s love of dogs and desire to help people began when she started volunteering at a service dog organization in her teens. In 2002, Allison started to work in the assistance dog industry in 2002 for an organization that paired the first service dog in the world with a child with autism.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University, Allison successfully completed an apprentice training program and became a service dog trainer-instructor. Allison has worked in a variety of roles over the years; including puppy raiser coordinator, grant writer, client services, puppy class trainer, and advanced dog trainer-instructor.
Allison currently works closely with families pursuing service dogs, teaches ADS puppy classes and helps support volunteers raising future service dogs for ADS. The ability for service dogs to support families and change lives is what motivates Allison in her current position
In her free time, Allison enjoys jogging, gardening, hiking with her Labrador retriever, and spending time with her family.
Vicki Zettler
Puppy Raiser Coordinator
vicki.zettler@autismdogservices.ca
(519) 774-1584
Janine Brubacher
Volunteer & Adoptions Manager
janine@autismdogs.ca
(519) 722-6563
Julia Hartless
Advanced Trainer
julia@autismdogservices.ca
phone unavailable
BIO
Julia has been involved in training dogs since she was 12 years old, after the introduction to her very own Labrador Retriever. Since then, she has assisted with obedience, trick training, and hunt/retriever training; eventually coming to ADS to work with service dogs.
Julia has volunteered and worked with Autism Dog Services since 2016. During her time with ADS, she has fostered 9 dogs, puppy-sat dozens of puppies and assisted in many other areas of ADS.
Julia works as an Advanced Trainer, Home Support Trainer and Class Instructor for the Hamilton Region. She loves working alongside the amazing team at Autism Dog Services.
Dianne Nyeboer
Puppy Program Manager
dianne@autismdogservices.ca
(519) 721-3376
BIO
A lifelong animal lover, Dianne has been involved in the Service Dog community for the past 15 years. Her experiences include fostering, whelping 2 litters at home, competing in CKC Rally Obedience and many classes in dog training, health and behaviour. As well, degrees in Science and Education with a minor in Special Education allows her to combine her knowledge and skills between Service dog training and the needs of the families that receive the dogs.
Dianne is qualified in First Aid for both dogs and humans. She enjoys spending time in the company of her ancient Labradoodle (Maya) and fondly remembers her first Service dog in training puppy; Lindor.
Adele Alfano
Fund Development Manager
adele@autismdogs.ca
(519)-774-0267
BIO
Adele is Hamilton born and bred and has always had a love for animals. She cannot remember a time when her family’s home included a four-legged friend. Armed with her Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University, Adele enjoyed a successful career in sales, marketing, and advertising in the newspaper industry. Throughout the years, Adele has enjoyed a variety of roles that included event planning, training and development and as a professional motivational speaker.
As the Fund Development Manager, Adele works closely with the ADS team to raise funds, building upon community partnerships, coordinating events, managing donors and overseeing fundraising volunteers. In her current role, what motivates Adele is changing lives and making a meaningful difference.
In her spare time, Adele enjoys swimming, reading, experimenting with new recipes and spending time with her close- knit Italian family and friends!
Autism Dog Services Inc. (ADS) is a registered Canadian Charity # 803605955RR0001 established in the Province of Ontario. ADS fosters the integration of children in between the ages of three and 18 years of age with autism and related disorders by training, placing and supporting service dogs that offer safety, companionship, and independence. ADS functions with a small staff and key volunteers.
There is a non-refundable $75 application processing fee.
There is a $200 fee for the loan of the service dog equipment. This fee is due when a family is matched with the service dog. There are no fees to receive training or to graduate with a service dog. On-going costs for a service dog include: dog food, treats, toys, routine and annual veterinary care, emergency veterinary care, and grooming. Families are responsible for the annual cost of having a service dog at approximately $1500 – $2000 a year plus any emergency veterinary care. We recommend pet insurance to help with costs of potential emergency veterinary care.
ADS purchases Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and some Standard Poodle Cross Breeds from reputable breeders. *ADS does not provide hypo-allergenic dogs.
ADS service dogs are handled by the child’s parent or guardian at home and by an educator at school. The service dogs are trained to respond and follow commands given by the handler.
Parents/guardians are fully responsible for the service dog’s care and maintenance (i.e. maintaining service dog training, health/veterinary care, feeding, grooming and exercise). The handler’s job is to act as a liaison between the child with autism and the service dog. The child is responsible for assisting with tasks relating to the service dog.
Service dogs from ADS are identified by the silver and/or red service dog jacket worn while accompanying the child in public settings at all times. The service dog jacket is equipped with a handle or short leash for the child to hold. ADS issues identification cards to all certified service dog teams. The card identifies the service dog and the child.
One of the key roles of ADS service dogs is to provide safety outside of the home, in public settings and at school. The service dog acts as a physical anchor for the child with autism. For children who are connected the their service dog by a belt/tether, the children are prevented from running out onto the road or away from the family when issued the “stop” command from the parent. This gives the parent time to intervene and direct the child back onto the safer path. The service dog also prevents the child from wandering away from the family while out in public settings. This also allows for parents to teach the child about walking safely and staying with their service dog. For some children, holding the handle on it’s own helps to keep them with their families and they don’t require the belt/tether.
Connecting the child and service dog by the belt/tether is an option for smaller children. ADS works directly with parents who are interested in utilizing this option, but most of the children with ADS service dogs find that teaching the child to hold onto the handle connected to the working jacket is enough to teach children safe road crossings and allows for greater independence.
-service dog jacket
-handle or short leash
-tether/belt system or vest if required
ADS service dogs provide independence for children with autism by making public outings easier to cope with for parents and children. For many parents, this is the first opportunity to have their child walk independently of holding onto them.
The child is responsible for assisting with daily care routines with their service dog, such as exercise (i.e. walk with the dog, play fetch with the dog if able or with assistance), grooming and feeding; thus furthering opportunities for independence-making, learning empathy and a sense of responsibility for another.
The service dog should accompany the family on all public outings. Public outings with the service dog allow for safety and independence for the child, who may have had difficulties participating in family activities. Families may avoid family activities outside the home for fear of compromising the child’s safety, or due to the child’s difficulty in coping with new environments and managing the child’s behavioural outbursts and anxiety in public settings. With the service dog present, many families are able to pursue activities together. For example, a family may be able to enjoy restaurant visits with their child, family vacations, or endure longer car trips with the presence of a service dog. The dog acts as a constant companion, always available to the child for stroking and deep pressure tasks to relieve anxiety.
ADS service dogs may help to modify behaviour in children with autism. Many parents have reported that the service dog provides a calming influence on their children. Children with autism may achieve this by stroking their dog’s fur, by having their dog lay close or with deep pressure. This comfort can help children cope with transitions between places, activities, changes in routines, and may help improve sleep patterns. The child is able to get through anxieties that may be associated with daily activities with the help of his or her service dog.
The child is responsible for assisting with daily care routines with their service dog, such as exercise (i.e. walk with the dog, play fetch with the dog if able or with assistance), grooming and feeding; thus furthering opportunities for independence-making, learning empathy and a sense of responsibility for another.
The service dog should accompany the family on all public outings. Public outings with the service dog allow for safety and independence for the child, who may have had difficulties participating in family activities. Families may avoid family activities outside the home for fear of compromising the child’s safety, or due to the child’s difficulty in coping with new environments and managing the child’s behavioural outbursts and anxiety in public settings. With the service dog present, many families are able to pursue activities together. For example, a family may be able to enjoy restaurant visits with their child, family vacations, or endure longer car trips with the presence of a service dog. The dog acts as a constant companion, always available to the child for stroking and deep pressure tasks to relieve anxiety.
ADS service dogs bridge the social gap between children with autism and others. They allow for the development of social skills in children with autism by assisting with the integration of children with peers and the public.
Some parents feel their children would benefit form having the service dogs assist them at school. ADS works with each family to determine the need and help with this introduction. Training and support is provided by parents and ADS staff once a service dog joins the school. There are opportunities for increased communication, independence along with social and academic benefits of having the service dogs present at school. ADS believes in building an inclusive environment that fosters the growth of communication, social interaction and independence for the student with autism and related disorders. ADS supports and encourages the partnership between the student and service dog to best reach their potential. ADS is firmly committed to furthering the education of both student and school staff in clearly defining the role of an autism service dog in the school community.
The service dog should accompany the family on all public outings. Public outings with the service dog allow for safety and independence for the child, who may have had difficulties participating in family activities. Families may avoid family activities outside the home for fear of compromising the child’s safety, or due to the child’s difficulty in coping with new environments and managing the child’s behavioural outbursts and anxiety in public settings. With the service dog present, many families are able to pursue activities together. For example, a family may be able to enjoy restaurant visits with their child, family vacations, or endure longer car trips with the presence of a service dog. The dog acts as a constant companion, always available to the child for stroking and deep pressure tasks to relieve anxiety.
Yes, ADS is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI). ADI is a governing body that establishes and set standards for assistance dog programs world-wide. ADS meets the standards for service dog teams established by ADI. ADS is also a member of the Canadian Association of Guide & Assistance Dog Schools CAGADS
to the following partners who impact on the lives of children with autism and their families by helping provide them with highly trained service dogs:
ADS has a wide range of unique sponsorship opportunities available throughout the year. We are a registered Canadian Charity No. 803605955RR0001. ADS relies entirely on support from individual donors, corporate sponsorship, fundraising events, service clubs, and foundation grants.
Dr. Allen & Dale Burgoyne
Ren’s Pets Brantford
KW Endodontics
Pawsitive Solutions
Minuteman Press
Boomer’s Pet Treats
For more information on donor or sponsorship opportunities please contact Vicky Spadoni (519) 722-2685 or our fund development manager Adele Alfano at (519) 774-0267. vicky@autismdogservices.ca or adele@autismdogs.ca
