The Golden Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged By Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities (New Discoveries in the ... S.) (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) [Paperback]

Patty Dobbs Gross (Author)

Book Description

Series: New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond | Publication Date: December 1, 2005

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patty Dobbs Gross is the executive director of a nonprofit organization that places assistance dogs with children who face special challenges. She earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts and her Master's Degree from the University of New Hampshire in writing. She is a published author of Dancing in the Rain and an award winning producer of the television programs Northern Lights and Raising Your North Star. Gross has compiled research on canine behavioral genetics, animal-assisted therapy and children with autism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Purdue University Press (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155753408X
• ISBN-13: 978-1557534088
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Physical Impairments

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Visionary Book..., February 19, 2007

By 

Anniew Briggs Kelly "findingmypath" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golden Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged By Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities (New Discoveries in the ... S.) (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) (Paperback)

I just finished reading The Golden Bridge and wanted to put in a few words while it's still fresh. I feel this book is a great success on many different levels. Author Patty Dobbs Gross is clearly an expert in the areas of service dogs, including breeding, training, and raising. And her knowledge is supplemented by contributing authors that offer sections of expertise on various particulars regarding the use of service dogs.
The volume of useful information to be found in this book was extremely rewarding, but in addition to the usefulness of that, I was incredibly moved by her own personal story, which is woven through the book. Through her prose, she tells her own story of struggle, which slowly grows into finding her unique and special path. Her strength of character and resolve shine as beacons to those of us finding our own paths in life. Gross's determination to create something good out of the challenges that faced her and her family, and to succeed so well at it, is truly inspiring.
Ms. Gross, in telling her personal story, paints a very vivid and moving picture and writes in a very compelling way. I was totally drawn in, and literally didn't put the book down until I finished the last page.
I highly recommend this book for it's informative aspect, it's emotionally appealing story, and it's vision.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here are the tips, tricks, websites, and references needed to understand the entire field!, December 10, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Golden Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged By Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities (New Discoveries in the ... S.) (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) (Paperback)

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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Golden Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged by Autism..., January 22, 2008

By 

William H. Davis "dogs for autism advocate" (Myrtle Beach, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golden Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged By Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities (New Discoveries in the ... S.) (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond) (Paperback)

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.