(719)428-5156
Autumn Lynn previously graduated from Western Washington University with their Bachelor of Science in psychology, and graduated in June 2022 from the Graduate School of Social Work at University of Denver with their Master of Social Work concentrating in mental health and with a certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work from the Institute of Human-Animal Connection. They are also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed, a Licensed Pet Dog Ambassador Instructor, and an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
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As a graduate student they specialized in mental health and animal-assisted social work, interning at organizations providing services to clients with trauma histories, as well as organizations utilizing animal-assisted interventions such as service and therapy dogs. Autumn also worked as a research assistant in both their undergraduate and graduate careers, focusing on interpersonal trauma and animal-assisted interventions.
ABOUT ME
About My Services
Psychiatric service dogs are individually trained to perform work or tasks to mitigate their handler's disability. The disability must meet the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of disabled, where one or more major life activities are impacted. Psychiatric service dogs have the same access rights with their handlers that any other type of service dog does, and are allowed to go generally anywhere the public can. Psychiatric service dogs are also allowed to live with their handler in most housing under the Fair Housing Act.
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Autumn offers services to support you in the process of partnering with a psychiatric service dog, from start to finish or anywhere in between.
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Consultation
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All new clients will need to start with a 50 minute consultation. We will discuss your individualized needs, and how a psychiatric service dog may be able to mitigate your disability.
Evaluation
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After consultations, we move into developing an individualized plan to best support you and your specific disability related needs.
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Letters of documentation for housing and employment related reasonable accommodations can also be discussed and written at this time, if needed.
Selection and Assessment
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We will develop a plan to select a psychiatric service dog prospect that is best suited for your needs. Or, if you already have a prospect we will perform an assessment to determine strengths and weaknesses.
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Temperament evaluations are offered for puppies and adults to determine suitability as a psychiatric service dog prospect, and include a score sheet and detailed write up.
Psychiatric Service Dogs
Training​
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Private training sessions will put into practice your individualized plan with your psychiatric service dog prospect, including basic obedience and task/work training.
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Public access training will begin after appropriate basic obedience training has been completed, and will teach your service dog in training how to behave appropriately in distracting public settings. Group outings for approved clients are available based on interest.
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Public Access Test: Service dogs in training will be graduated to full service dog status after completion and passing of the Public Access Test.
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Phone, text, and email support is available to existing clients working to owner train their psychiatric service dogs throughout the entire process.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) provide therapeutic emotional support for individuals with disabilities. The emotional support must directly benefit the individual’s disability. An individual with a disability is not granted access rights to places of public accommodation with their emotional support animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act, however, they are granted rights to housing with their ESA under the Fair Housing Act.
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Consultation
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All new clients will need to start with a 50 minute consultation. We will discuss your individualized needs, and how an emotional support animal may help with your disability. The second step in this process also involves professional collaboration between myself and your medical professional team, to confirm any diagnoses if needed.
Evaluation
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After consultations, we move into developing an individualized plan to best support you and your specific disability related needs.
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Letters of documentation for housing related reasonable accommodations are provided at this time.
Selection and Assessment
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If an animal hasn't been selected yet, we will develop a plan to select an emotional support animal that is best suited for your needs.
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Temperament evaluations are available for dogs to determine suitability as an emotional support dog, and include a score sheet and detailed write up.
Emotional Support Animals
Training​
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Training beyond a normal pet dog is not a requirement for emotional support animals. However, private training sessions will set clients up for success in their interactions with family, friends, landlords, and neighbors. Training with a new pet also encourages the development of a strong bond with the client. Working towards the Canine Good Citizen or Pet Dog Ambassador Level 3 is highly encouraged.
Autumn also offers private dog training and care services. All new clients will need to start with a 30 minute consultation.
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Obedience Training
Autumn can work with you to develop a personalized training plan for your dog ranging from basic to advanced obedience. The will help identify achievable goals for you and your dog to work towards, and can help you work towards completing the Pet Dog Ambassador or Canine Good Citizen programs.
Private lessons can take place in your home, or a public location, such as a park or pet friendly store.
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Dog Care
Autumn also offers dog walking and house visit services. As someone who has always had dogs in their family, they understand how difficult it can be to trust someone else with their care and wellbeing. When working in a client's home, the safety and wellbeing of your canine family member(s) is their top priority.
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Dog Walks
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Autumn offers basic dog walks with an enrichment focus, where your dog is allowed to sniff and explore their environment while leashed.
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They also offer training walks where skills such as loose leash walking and focus are worked on using positive reinforcement.
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On walks, keeping your pet safe and secure is top of mind.
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General Training
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House Visits
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Autumn offers basic house visits for when you may need someone to check-in on your pet during the day to let them out for a bathroom break and give them some individual time and attention.
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They also offer enrichment house visits, which in addition to the basic house visit services, also include an exercise or enrichment activity, such as food foraging, hide and seek, and if you have a securely fenced backyard, a game of fetch or flirt pole.
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When offering in home services such as house visits, Autumn is respectful of your home and takes special care to make sure they keep a safe and clean environment.
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Health Professional Training
Autumn can work directly with your organization or private practice to offer training on assistance, service, and/or therapy animals, based on your individual needs.
Many health care professionals are finding there is an increased need for services and support for their clients who rely on the assistance of service and emotional support animals, but lack the necessary education and training to offer adequate support.
Autumn can offer training based on a six stage model of clinical incorporation of service and assistance animals into clinical practice. Health care professionals will be trained in screening clients for suitability through a detailed consultation protocol, and how to support clients through the entire process of obtaining and partnering with a service or assistance animal. Practical education regarding how to write letters of support for reasonable accommodations in places of employment and housing that is in line with federal guidelines will also be emphasized.
These six stages include:
Consultation
Evaluation
Selection
Bonding and Training
Implementation
Transitions
Other Services
Site Assessments
If your organization or practice is interested in incorporating animal-assisted interventions, Autumn can assess the site they will take place and offer a detailed report of the suitability based on the species and work that will be performed there.
Program Creation & Evaluation
Autumn can help individually craft a detailed animal-assisted program for your organization or practice, or evaluate a program already in place.
Therapy Dog Selection & Training
Consultations, selection, assessment, and private training are available to people who would like to partner with a therapy dog in their work or as a volunteer.
BOOK Services
A 50 minute initial consultation required for all new clients.
1 hr
150 US dollars
A 30 minute consultation required for all new clients.
30 min
75 US dollars
A general consultation if you're interested in my other services.
1 hr
150 US dollars
A 50 minute consultation for organizations and private practices.
1 hr
150 US dollars
Open to all clients working on basic manners and obedience.
30 min
40 US dollars
A 30 minute enrichment based walk. Travel charges may apply.
30 min
20 US dollars
30 minute training walk, focusing on loose leash walking. Travel charges may apply.
30 min
30 US dollars
45 minutes includes feeding/watering, potty break, & individual attention. Travel charges may apply.
45 min
45 US dollars
The same services as a basic visit, plus additional enrichment activities. Travel charges may apply.
1 hr
75 US dollars