The Golden Bridge. A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged By Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities New Discoveries in the Human Animal ... New Discoveries in the Human Animal Bond

Customer Reviews

Inspiration for Families with Children with Developmental Challenges

2008-03-16
Patty Dobbs Gross presents an inspirational story of her personal struggle and triumphs as she tries to find the best resources for her son with autism, one of which is a service dog. Patty is honest and direct as she explains her feelings of isolation, frustration, and sometimes even anger and embarrassment with friends, the school system and Danny's peer group. Later chapters in the book focus on training and incorporating service dogs into the lives of children with developmental disabilities. These chapters are contributed by experts in their fields and should act as a model for any service dog organization.

The Golden Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged by Autism...

2008-01-22
This is the definitive text on the use of assistance dogs for autism from an author who has placed more dogs for autism in the United States than anyone else. She speaks with authority and the compassion of a mother who has raised a child with autism through the assistance of a service dog. I highly recommend this book to all those with a family member who is affected by autism.

Great information and very moving stories.

2007-07-15
This was a great book with a great deal of useful information. My only caution is that you need a box of Kleenex when you read some sections...it is very moving. This book gives great insight into how a well trained dog can help with an Autistic child. It also gives useful information on how to train a dog to work with an autistic child but it is not a do it yourself book...professional help is needed.

Excellent Resource

2007-05-15
I bought this book to help guide us through the process of possibly getting a dog to help our 4-year old son w/ autism. What I found is that this book is so beautifully written, touching on the very essence of living in a family with a child who has a disability. It's inspirational, heart-breakingly true, yet heart-warming and realistic. I highly recommend it for all parents or older siblings of family members with autism.

A Thoughtful Approach to Integrating Animals in the Lives of Special Needs Children

2007-03-24
A thoughtful exploration of the benefits and challenges in the intergration of assistance dogs for children living with autism. I have worked with Patty over the last six months and have been impressed with her understanding of the necessary steps to help build a healthy relationship among children and their canine friend.

Kate Nicoll, LCSW, founder of Soul Friends, Inc.

Soul Friends: Finding Healing With Animals

A Visionary Book...

2007-02-19
In The Golden Bridge, Patty Dobbs Gross provides both personal and professional advice on how specially bred and trained dogs help to facilitate communication for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. This important information compendium is a guide for parents dealing with the social, emotional, and educational issues related to raising children with challenges. Myths and labels concerning autism are explored,examined, and redefined. While focused on children, the advice that Gross shares will be immensely helpful for anyone involved in breeding, raising,and training dogs to mitigate any type of disability at any age. The Golden Bridge provides advice about living with autism, animal-assisted therapy and autism, training an assistance dog to work with a child with autism or a developmental disability, and using an assistance dog to deal with a child's grief. This impressive volume also contains a vast list of resources, including Web sites, for follow-up information, a section on books about autism, and a directory of assistance dog providers.

Here are the tips, tricks, websites, and references needed to understand the entire field!

2006-12-11
Any working in the field of child development or disability will find THE GOLDEN BRIDGE: A GUIDE TO ASSISTANCE DOGS FOR CHILDREN CHALLENGED BY AUTISM OR OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES to be a rare treat. It blends personal and professional advice on how these dogs can help such kids and provides parents with all the keys to handling the issues related to raising such children. Dog breeders alike will find this an important key to understanding how to raise a dog who can work with a developmentally disabled child. Here are the tips, tricks, websites, and references needed to understand the entire field!

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Recommended reading for everyone considering a dog, regardless of their kids' neurodevelopmental status

2006-11-01
EVERY parent wanting to get a dog should read this book. Yes, it's specifically designed for parents of kids on the autism spectrum but the information it provides on puppy selection and socialization are invaluable for anyone with dogs and kids. Well written, easy to read. Great stuff!

The Golden Bridge

2006-08-21
The book made me cry. What a challenge. The public in general doesn't realize how Autism impacts on families this book opens our eyes. The family seems to have found comfort in helping others cope by training and supplying the "Assistance Dogs" while they raise four children. What an example they are to their own children, such devotion to "family".

Golden Bridge Review

2006-07-04
I found this book helped me with more than I thought it would. It not only answered my questions about obtaining an assistance dog for my child with autism, but it also gave me a different way of looking at my special child and the challenges he faces. I think THE GOLDEN BRIDGE is an important book for any parent of a child on the spectrum to read.