PAALS service dog inducted into Animal Hall of Fame
Aubrey The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians inducted Aubrey, a PAALS Service dog for Autism, into the Animal Hall of Fame. Two South Carolina dogs whose unselfish and courageous accomplishments exemplify the spirit of the connection between animals and people were honored during a special ceremony on June 18, 2009. The three year old Labrador retriever was inducted into SCAV's Animal Hall of Fame—Companion Category for her faithful and invaluable work as a service animal and companion to the Pruitt family's son who has been diagnosed with autism.
Aubrey was presented with a large medal medallion befitting her contributions during a special ceremony held at the Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach, SC, during SCAV's Southeast Veterinary Conference.
In addition, the Pruitt family received a plaque commemorating the achievements of their canine companion from Animal Hall of Fame Chair Patrick ("Greg") Brown, DVM, of the Sunset Animal Clinic in West Columbia, SC.
The winners' achievements were described in detail by Dr. Brown, who illustrated their special achievements, unselfish, and courageous accomplishments, affection, loyalty, and companionship.
Aubrey helps her human partner, "Smith," by leaning on pressure points on his body to help calm anxiety. Aubrey also encourages "Smith" to stay with his parents in public by providing a handle or leash that he likes to hold.
Aubrey also helps him make friends, a skill that does not come easy to a child with autism. Almost everyone in public with a service dog gets asked the predictable question of "What is your dog's name?" and "Can I pet your dog?"
Aubrey was taught a specific way to interact in public with her service dog cape on to help facilitate these relationships. Most importantly, Aubrey is the unconditional friend that is often so hard to find for "Smith."
"Smith" asks to go for walks with Aubrey regularly after taking care of feeding and brushing her, a care giving goal that was important to the Pruitt family for "Smith's" development as a member of society.
They have already enjoyed some fun boat time together, and Aubrey lies on her mat at the public swimming pool that "Smith" loves to get wet in.
This is also where the swim- a- thon fundraiser to support Aubrey and Smith was held so she is a very popular guest.
Aubrey is helping him get ready for school by retrieving his socks after opening his drawer and bringing them to him and releasing to his hand when he says thank you. Aubrey is also helping "Smith" with his ABA therapy and speech goals.
Like most working dogs Aubrey has an amazing work ethic. She has gone above and beyond many of expectations to help Smith. PAALS continues to visit and help progress training as Smith grows and the two of them bond and change, but Aubrey is the one working everyday to unlock the key to this boy's heart.
Everyone at PAALS is extremely proud of this team and the award Aubrey has been honored with!
About PAALS
Mission Enriching and empowering children and adults with physical disabilities and social needs by training service animals and providing animal assisted educational and recreational activities.
Goals To train and provide service dogs for individuals with varying abilities. To train assistance animals to create activities for kids with physical and social challenges in South Carolina. To train and provide service animals for various special needs people in our community (ex. Therapy dogs). To increase assistance animal awareness. To provide a program where at- risk youth and/or retired individuals can give back to the community. To provide in training for therapeutic uses (ex. Use in ABA therapy for autistic kids).
