Smart Pups Assistance Dogs are helping Special Needs Children gain independence; confidence and success whilst enjoying the companionship, loyalty and love a dog can give. Smart Pups Service Dogs are tested and qualify for Full Public Access (just like a guide dog). They are trained as Autism Assistance Dogs and Seizure Response Dogs.

It costs up to $50,000 to raise and train each Assistance Dog with Smart Pups rely on sponsorship and donations.

If you would like to make a donation to our cause you will be helping us to continue to give support to these families in need.

A BIT ABOUT WHAT WE DO:

Autism Assistance Dogs are specially trained to help children who have any disability falling in the Autism spectrum. These dogs are trained to disrupt behaviour outside of the child's set behavioural pattern. In addition, these dogs can be trained to track the child should he or she wander away. Autism Assist Dogs can become "extra help" when out in public by having the child tethered to the dog who will act as an anchor instead of having to be held by hand.

The most important aspect is the hope that the child will build a trusting relationship with their dog. Regardless of what advanced skills Autism Assistance Dogs might be trained to do, their primary purpose is to provide a best friend, confidant and playmate for a child who almost always has few friends.

Smart Pups Assistance Dogs, on the Sunshine Coast, are the only Association in Queensland training dogs for children within the Autism Spectrum. Just as Seeing Eye dogs make the world more navigable for the blind, specially trained service dogs are now also helping children with Autism achieve success and independence. These canine companions aid children through everyday social challenges and help lower children's overall stress levels.

We train Seizure Response Dogs, trained to assist children who experience seizures and assist recovery. Some dogs even alert their owners to oncoming seizures. However, it is unknown why some dogs can do this and others can't. The dog will lick and nuzzle their child until they come around. They can also be used as a brace to steady themselves while getting up. In addition, people who have Seizure Response Dogs often report an unexplained decrease in seizure activity.

We now also train and place Medical Alert Dogs and Mobility Assistance Dogs.