Service animal helps autistic kid

"Dog for a walk" is Smith Pruitt's mantra. The autistic 11-year-old boy points to Aubrey, a yellow Labrador retriever, as he repeats faster, "Dog for a walk."

Aubrey is an autism service dog and can go anywhere with Smith. Smith's mother, Erin Pruitt, said the family got the dog so Smith could have a buddy.

"She gets him involved in his own responsibilities," Pruitt said. Smith feeds and brushes her, and, on walks, Smith holds onto a short leash while his mom controls Aubrey on a longer lead.

A "brace" command freezes Aubrey, who in turn halts Smith.

Having a service dog might open up more opportunities for social interaction for Smith. People asking the dog's name or if they may pet her lets Smith practice his social skills.

And if Smith gets anxious, Aubrey can help calm him with commands to "hug," "lean" and "rest."

Aubrey also signals to others that something is different, Pruitt said. Smith still has outbursts, his mother said, and weighing 130 pounds, he can be unwieldy. People don't always understand that he's autistic, and they can be judgmental, she said.

Occupational therapist and autism specialist Becky Doolittle McFalls said that cruel comments and incriminating stares are responsible for most of the tears she sees in her office. McFalls is trained in Relationship Development Intervention and guides parents through the stress of an autism diagnosis and in addressing developmental deficits in areas such as communication, social skills and cognition.

"Parents want so badly to have the family dynamic they envisioned," McFalls said. "They want to go to the birthday party or to Chik-fil-A and play in the play area. But that experience is laden with issues."

The more snubs they receive, the less likely they are to take their children out into public, she said. "And those children need those experiences more than anyone."

A boy and his dog are one of those typical experiences Pruitt desired for her son. "I want Aubrey to be a boy's best friend," she said.

McFalls said, "The therapy dog is an opportunity for Smith to coordinate his efforts with another living thing. The dog does not make judgments or make demands."

Aubrey came from Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services, or PAALS, a Columbia-based service dog organization. Training service dogs takes years and is not cheap. The Pruitts were responsible for one-third of the $28,000 cost.

A fundraiser held by members of the Hobcaw Yacht Club Marlins Swim Team raised the money and then some, Pruitt said. Smith's twin sister, Emily, is a member, and she canvassed the neighborhood for donations.

Jennifer Rogers, executive director and founder of PAALS, said Aubrey was among the nonprofit's first graduating class. Initially, she was trained to assist a person in a wheelchair, but during the late stages of her training, Rogers noticed Aubrey had some special qualities.

"She had the ability to problem solve in an intelligent way," Rogers said. A flexible dog is important to adapt to an autistic child whose behavior might change over time.