Therapy dog

[campocaro]

My DD ( recently diagnosed with autism) will hopefully be off to University next year. She thinks having a 'therapy dog' will provide her with support, routine and emotional stability . I have looked for schemes online and they all seem to be for younger children or people living in the USA. Is anyone aware of anything for young adults? Thanks

My ASD daughter would LOVE to have any dog with her at uni. But it is impractical for her at this stage, but I wouldn't put it past her to just get one herself at some point.

There are schemes like Borrow my Doggie or Tailster might be able to pair your daughter up with a dog who needs walking. There is also the Cinnamon Trust, which provides volunteers to walk the pets of elderly owners:
www.cinnamon.org.uk/
Perhaps a student union somewhere already participates, which might be a good reason to choose that uni?

I did hear about a uni who have a dog at student services:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/08/sweet-natured-dog-helps-students-ward-off-anxiety/

The other approach might be for her to go to uni not too far from home so that she can get home regularly to either be with the family dog, or if you don't have one, someone who will "lend" one.

I totally agree that a dog can provide routine, support and emotional stability - my DD has had awful mental health problems and having the dog here at home has been brilliant therapy.

Thanks very much for all these which I will read and pass on to her. We can't have a dog as I am a single working parent. She has two cats which she loves but they wouldn't adapt well to all the moves but they will be much loved and petted in the holidays.
Thanks again and any other ideas appreciated!