Dogs For Autism

By: Carrie Davis | News Channel 7
Published: November 21, 2008

Imme is a solid black german shepard born and raised in Greenville and she lives with a specific purpose. That is to watch out for Cindy Council's seven year old autistic son.
According to Council, "Imme is constantly with him. She considers him her responsibility. If he is doing something that is different then she is going to come and check with me and bring me in there and make sure that this is something that is okay."

Imme is the product of a group called Dogs for Autism. They have established their own breeding line to make sure the dogs they use are exactly right for the job. With such strict standards, their biggest challenge is getting enough dogs for the families who need them and funding the project since all the dogs are given to families for free.

Kelly Sharamak is one of 200 people hoping to get a dog for her son Chas. "We've been waiting about 9 months." She says it will be like having a second set of eyes.
Sharamak says, "There have been times when chas has disappeared and I can't find him and he doesn't answer to me when I say Chas where are you."

Candy Council says these dogs assist and alert the parents when there is danger. Something children with autism can't sense.
Council says Imme's skills were recently put to the test on a trip to the beach when Bryant took off.

Council says, "She ran down and blocked him and side stepped him all the way back down the board walk until he was in the house. Imme has been our miracle."

Something Kelly Sharamak hopes her son can experience first hand.
Council also says she has also noticed her son interacting with the dog and she believes that has helped in social settings as well. She says he is normally in his own world, shutting everyone else out.
Again, the dogs are given to families in need for free, but it does cost thousands to get the animals ready for that environment.
Dogs for Autism is funded by donations from the community. You can contact them at (864) 527-5968 or log onto www.dogsforautism.org.