Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1132684
Siloam Proud Wednesday, June 26, 2019 n 7C Siloam Springs Herald-Leader April Rich 711 S. Mt. Olive | Siloam Springs, AR 479-524-6984 arich@shelterinsurance.com Thank you for voting me best agent and insurance company of Siloam Springs! Lundstrum4Arkansas.com Proud to serve a community of strength & hometown values Lundstrum Robin State Representative 200 Progress Ave Siloam Springs, AR 72761 479-524-6605 | dogwoodjunction.biz BRANDS WE CARRY BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BIKE OR TRIKE, VISIT OUR SHOP! ➤ Free Cycling Advice From Our Experienced Staff ➤ Indoor Test Track for Test Riding ➤ We Fix Most Bike Problems ➤ Full Service Bike Repairs ➤ All Bikes Are Guaranteed ➤ All Newly Purchased Bikes Are Assembled by Professional Mechanics ➤ Bike Accessories Available the ability to speak for himself. "I can't see him now do- ing life without a dog be- cause like I said, the sense of boldness, the confidence that he has is through the roof and that's one thing we always want for our kids is for them to be able to think for themselves but also the be confident in themselves," Anthony said. "With autism, sometimes they work on a different process. If they process things differently some - times the process can be misinterpreted but that dog can calm them down, especially in high stress situations." Ag teacher Glen Walker said the difference that Jas - mine has made for Jackson is wonderful. "His ability to focus and learn has greatly in- creased," he said. It has been a pleasure to watch Jasmine work, Walker said. Jasmine has also been good for Jackson's social life, according to Franks. She has helped him com - municate with classmates and make friends. Even if Jackson is just explaining to classmates that Jasmine is working and can't be petted, he is talking and advocating for himself, Franks said. "He has a dog and who doesn't like dogs," Franks said. "It's a conversation piece, a social lubricant. Jackson was kind of aloof and back in the shadows but because of the dog, it's brought him out into re - lationships — friendships or acquaintances — and given him an opportu- nity to do things he once thought he would never do. He has that security, he has purpose." Jackson said he has gotten a lot of positive feedback from friends and peers. "Everyone of my friends love her, she is just one of those four-legged people that everyone knows. … My dad calls her 'The furry student,'" Jackson said. Challenges One of the challenges that Jackson and Jasmine have faced is emotional support or therapy dogs who have not gone through rigorous training to pre - pare them to behave in public. One such dog became aggressive, lunging and barking at Jackson and Jas- mine in Walmart. Jasmine did her job and used her body to shield Jackson by creating a block, but the experience was unsettling, Jackson and Anthony said. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ser - vice dogs are defined as dogs who are trained to perform a task for someone with a disability, according to the website, ada.gov. The act does not cover dogs who function solely to pro - vide comfort or emotional support, it states. Franks said there is no standard certification pro- gram for service dogs. It is easy for people to purchase a certification or a vest for their dog off the internet without going through the proper training process, Anthony said. The ADA requires busi - nesses and other organiza- tions to accept trained ser- vice dogs in places where the public is allowed, as long as the dogs are not ag- gressive, however bad ex- periences make employees wary and quick to question Jackson and Jasmine, An- thony said. Businesses and members of the public need more education on what real service dogs are and what they do for their handlers, Franks said, emphasizing that service dogs are medi - cal devices that perform a specific job to help an indi- vidual mitigate a disability. Another challenge is that even though Jasmine was prescribed by Jackson's doc- tor, the cost of purchasing and training her — nearly $20,000 — was not covered by insurance. Anthony said he sees the cost as necessary sacrifice. A service dog is an invest - ment but it's not like an in- vestment you would see in a house," Anthony said. "It's an investment in the future of that person, that man or that woman that girl or boy, that you might not see right now but down the road the dividend you are going to receive off of that is unbe - lievable and it's the best thing I've ever done — the smile and the excitement that he has every morning with her." Anthony is hopeful that Jasmine and Jackson will pave the way for other stu - dents in the Siloam Springs School District who might benefit from a service dog. "Maybe their parents are scared (thinking) "how's this going to work?'" Anthony said. "They can look at Jas - mine and Jackson and say, 'Hey they're doing this.'" Photo submitted A photo of Jasmine was included next to the picture of her handler Jackson Fine in the Siloam Springs High School yearbook. Photo submitted Jackson Fine's autism service dog Jasmine dressed up for prom and attended the event with Jackson and his girl- friend. furry Continued from Page 6C 811 Know What's Below For Arkansas: 811 or 1-800-482-8998 Arkansas One Call Call before you dig This space provided courTesy This newspaper