Autism Service Dog
Autism Service Dogs: Empowering Families in Rural Maryland and Pennsylvania
Enhancing Safety and Independence for Children with Autism
The Savannah and Goose Foundation is dedicated to providing crucial support to autism families in specific regions of Western and Central Maryland, as well as select counties in Pennsylvania along the Mason-Dixon line. Our Autism Service Dog program is tailored to meet the unique needs of families in rural areas where emergency services may have longer response times.
Our Service Areas
We proudly serve:
- 6 counties throughout Western and Central Maryland
- 3 counties in Pennsylvania bordering the Mason-Dixon line
Our focus is on rural communities where other tracking dog organizations may not reach, ensuring that families in these areas have access to potentially life-saving resources.


How Our Autism Service Dogs Make a Difference
Our specially trained dogs provide invaluable support in several key areas:
- Tracking and Elopement Prevention:
- Trained to track and locate children who may wander or elope
- Provide an additional layer of security for families in rural areas
- Offer peace of mind when emergency services may have longer response times
- Safety and Security:
- Use anchoring techniques to prevent wandering behaviors
- Provide deep pressure therapy during moments of distress
- Alert caregivers to potential dangers
- Social and Emotional Support:
- Act as a calming presence in challenging situations
- Encourage social interaction and communication
- Offer unconditional companionship
- Daily Living Assistance:
- Help with routine transitions
- Assist in sensory regulation
- Promote independence in everyday tasks

Our Unique Approach
At the Savannah and Goose Foundation, we believe in:
- Prioritizing families in rural areas with limited access to quick emergency response
- Empowering autism families with the tools and support they need
- Partnering with both local trainers and out-of-state board-and-train specialists to ensure cost-effective, high-quality training
- Recognizing that a service dog may not be the best solution for every family or child with autism
The Importance of Family Commitment
We want to emphasize that becoming a handler for an autism service dog is a significant responsibility. This commitment goes far beyond typical pet ownership and requires:
- Consistent Training Reinforcement: Families must maintain the dog’s specialized training daily.
- Physical Care: Regular exercise, grooming, and veterinary care are essential.
- Emotional Investment: Building and maintaining a strong bond between the child and the dog is crucial.
- Public Interaction Management: Handlers must navigate public spaces and educate others about service dog etiquette.
- Long-Term Commitment: A service dog typically works for 8-10 years, requiring dedication throughout its working life.
- Financial Responsibility: Ongoing costs for food, healthcare, and equipment must be considered.
- Legal Understanding: Families must be aware of and adhere to service dog laws and regulations.
We stress these points not to discourage families, but to ensure that those who commit to our program are fully prepared for the journey ahead. The rewards of a successful service dog partnership are immeasurable, but they come with significant responsibilities.

Comprehensive Eligibility and Interview Process
Following the initial application, our team conducts a thorough eligibility and interview process. This comprehensive approach ensures that we match service dogs with families who are fully prepared for the commitment and responsibilities involved. Here’s what you can expect:
- In-depth Interview: Our team conducts extensive interviews to understand your family dynamics, lifestyle, and specific challenges.
- Home Environment Assessment: We evaluate your living situation to ensure it’s suitable for a service dog. This includes assessing the presence and behavior of any current pets.
- Child-Dog Interaction Evaluation: Our specialized trainers assess how your child interacts with dogs to determine if a service dog is a good fit.
- Family Commitment Discussion: We have an open dialogue about the long-term responsibilities of having a service dog, including exercise, training reinforcement, and ongoing care.
- Veterinary Recommendation Review: For families with current pets, we carefully review the recommendation letter from your veterinarian to ensure a harmonious integration of a service dog into your home.
This thorough process is designed to set both the family and the service dog up for success. It helps us ensure that the significant investment of time, resources, and training in each service dog will result in a lasting, beneficial partnership for your family.
We kindly ask families to approach this process with patience and openness. Our goal is to create successful, long-term matches that truly enhance the lives of children with autism and their families.


Understanding Individual Needs
We recognize that not every child with autism will be a good match for a service dog. Some factors we consider include:
- The child’s comfort level around animals
- Family dynamics and living situation
- The potential for the child to bond with a service dog over time
- The family’s ability to meet the ongoing needs of a service dog
- The presence and behavior of current pets in the home
Our partner trainers are experts in both animal behavior and autism, allowing them to make informed recommendations about whether a service dog is the right fit for your family.

Alternative Solutions
If a service dog is not the best option for your family, we’re committed to finding alternative solutions to address elopement concerns. These may include:
- GPS tracking devices
- Home security systems
- Behavioral interventions
- Community awareness programs
- Specialized safety training for family members
We work with each family individually to develop a comprehensive safety plan tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.

Cost-Effective Solutions
We understand the financial challenges many families face. Our partnerships with various trainers allow us to offer more cost-effective solutions without compromising on the quality of our service dogs. We also offer:
- Financial assistance options
- Fundraising guidance
- Flexible payment plans

Beyond Service Dogs: Comprehensive Family Support
While our Autism Service Dog program is a cornerstone of our work, we offer additional support to empower autism families:
- Educational resources on safety and elopement prevention
- Community outreach and awareness programs
- Advocacy for improved emergency response in rural areas
- Support groups for families navigating similar challenges
Join Our Mission
Are you a family seeking support for a child with autism who elopes? Or do you want to support our mission?
Contact Us
Contact the Savannah and Goose Foundation today to learn how we’re making a tangible difference in the lives of autism families in rural Maryland and Pennsylvania. Whether through our service dog program or alternative solutions, we’re here to help keep your child safe and support your family’s unique journey.
The Savannah and Goose Foundation is committed to bridging the gap in autism support services for rural communities. We understand that every child is unique, and we’re dedicated to finding the right solutions for each family we serve, whether that includes a service dog or other supportive measures