- Welcome Message and select excerpts of our first year blog
- Our New Blog
- Contact us
- Travel Advice
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Flying-all you need to know before you book your next plane ticket>
- Cruising-planning the perfect cruise>
- Car Travel
- Traveling by bus...in style
- Hotels-Creating the ideal autistic friendly hotel room>
- Packing -101>
- Ask away -Autistic Globetrotting Free advice service>
- Tid bits-travel advice from our readers in 100 words or less
- Autistic Travels' Golden Rules
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Autisticals-a personal view of autistic travel
- US 10 best in
- The 10 best of Boston
- The best 10 of Hilton Head,South Carolina
- The 10 best of New York
- The 10 best of Alaska
- The 10 best of Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- The 10 best of Santa Fe and the surroundings
- The 10 best of Arizone-Grand Canyon
- The 10 best of Colonial Williamsburg,Jamestown and surroundinds
- The 10 best of Washington D.C.
- The 10 best of Las Vegas
- The 10 best of Boston
- International 10 best
- Mini autisticals- the darnest travel stories you'll hear
- The Sleeps-our biased and un biased hotel reviews
- The Eats-Tasty challenges from around the globe
- The Shops-what you can buy next
- Collector's Corner-How did these travel trinkets become a collection
- Recommended products
- Giveaways
- Monthly news roundup
- Interviews
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Q&A with Tal managing director of ALUTEVA-autistic hotel in Israel
- Eva Bronstein-Greenwald-special needs travel agent and founder of We Belong
- Q&A with Trip it's
- Q&A with David Intercontinental Tel Aviv
- Keri Bowers- film producer of 'Normal people scare me'
- Jamie Grover-Autism on the seas
- Peter Shears
- Clive-guide dog extraordinaire
- John Brown of 'Devyn and Dad' -an inspirational adventure across the United States
- Rose Niehaus Olsen Morris inventor of the safety sleeper bed
- Annette White,counselor for Camp Autism
- Colin Brennan-Canada's new singing sensation
- Dennis Debbaudt-autism safety expert
- Gisela Sedlmayer- author of 'Talon'
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Inspirational travel stories by our guest writers
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- Brian R. King-Meltdown at the airport
- Joy's visit to the Aquarium
- Denise Klipsic-An incredible encounter with Princess Tiana
- Tanya Savko- Hope on a river
- Tiffany Robison-Great Wolf Lodge
- Fiona Westner Ramsay -Making-room-for-autism-in-your-canoe
- Laura Shumacher-Traveling with autism: a true story
- Phyllis Fanzo Lombardi-s -Vacation Time with Joey
- Kristina Chew-18 Miles On the Bikes At the Beach
- Jeff Katz-Chicago
- Margaret Ann Franklin's visit to the Great Northern Carousel in Helena Montana
- Claire Sarcone-Chessington the aspie way
- Elaine Hall-Tips for summer vacation
- Steve LHeureux -Autism "Outings" need to be planned and appropriate
- Kelly Green-The Gardens of Gilroy
- Wolfie Blue-Tips I learnt by traveling with my family
- Gluten free Disney cruise experience
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- North,Central and South America-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Alaska Cruise-USA and Canada
- Florida,Orlando-Universal Studios-looking for Harry Potter
- Florida,Orlando-Macy's mini parade in Universal Studios
- Florida-Everglades Park ,Miami,Key West
- Hawaii's big island with a glimpse of Pearl Harbor
- Louisiana,New Orleans-French Quarter,Christmas Parade,Nanchez Steamboat
- Louisiana,New Orleans-in the footsteps of Katrina,Garden district
- Massachussetts-Boston ,New England Coastal towns of NH and Maine
- New York-NYC
- New Mexico-Santa Fe and Bandoliers National Park
- Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
- Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- Canada-Niagara Falls,Montreal,Quebec,Toronto
- Caribbean-Bahamas- the Atlantis resort
- Caribbean-Castaway Cay-Disney's bahamian paradise
- Caribbean-Roatan,Honduras>
- Caribbean-Grand Caymans-Hell,Turtles,Wild Hens and Stingrays>
- Mexico-Cabo San Lucas(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Puerta Vallarta (Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Acapulco and Manzanillo
- Mexico-Mazatlan(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Playa del Carmen's Xcaret eco park>
- Mexico-Tulum and XelHa Eco Park
- Yucatan,Mexico- Chichen Itza,Cozumel's Paradise Beach
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Europe,Asia,Australia and New Zealand,Cruise ships-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Austria-Salzburg
- Belgium-Antwerp ,Brussels
- Canary Islands-Lazarote
- Croatia-the walled town of Dubrovnik
- Denmark-Copenhagen
- France-Normandy's D day beaches>
- France- Cannes,Nice,Eze
- France-Paris
- Finland,Helsinki
- Germany-Munich,Dachau
- Germany-Romantic Road
- Ireland-Dublin
- Ireland -Cork,Blarney,Kinsale>
- N. Ireland-Belfast>
- N. Ireland's Giant Causeway
- N.Ireland-Carrick -a -Rede-rope bridge>
- Italy-Venice,Pompeii,Rome
- Italy-Florence,Messina and Taoramina
- Israel-Jerusalem>
- Israel-Masada and the Dead Sea>
- Israel-Tel Aviv>
- Morocco-Casablanca
- New Zealand-Rotarua
- New Zealand-Fjord Park,Dunedin,Christchurch
- New Zealand - Auckland and sheep farm
- The Netherlands-Amsterdam,Delft,The Hague,Rotterdam,Madurodam
- Sweden-Stockholm and the Archipelago
- Russia-St Petersburg's Palaces
- Scotland-Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
- Scotland-Edinburgh>
- Scotland-Inverness>
- Scotland-Loch Lommond,Luss,Sottish sheep show>
- Spain-Barcelona
- Spain-Cadiz and Seville
- Spain-The Alhambra Palace,view of Malaga
- Tasmania-Hobart
- UK-Liverpool and the Beatles>
- UK-London>
- UK-Stonehenge,Bath,Warwick Castle,Stratford on Avon,Oxford
- UK-Guernsey>
- Carnival -Legend
- Aboard the Carnival Legend
- Carnival -Ecstasy
- Carnival- Fascination
- Carnival Spirit
- Celebrity-Century
- Crown Princess>
- Sapphire Princess
- Royal Caribbean-Brilliance of the Seas
- Royal Caribbean-Mariner of the Seas (parades)
- Royal Caribbean- Mariner of the Seas
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Monthly guest's -Travel videos and pictures
- Web sites and blogs we follow
- Face Book discussions
- Guest Book
Q&A with Clive the working dog from Ireland
![Picture](/uploads/4/4/4/8/4448415/1789392.jpg)
A.G: Except for incredible good looks and wisdom, what qualities would you recommend an assistance dog should have, and how does one obtain the necessary qualifications inorder to pursue such a career?
Clive-Assistance Dogs need patience, a sense of fun, a willingness to play and a big sense of responsibility. Assistance Dogs really need to love children and accept and understand that they are working with children with special needs. Just like our cat understands Murray is special and the horses he rides instinctively know and understand Murray and his needs—I understand Murray and we work really well together.
I was trained by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind who train dogs for the blind and visually impaired and for children with autism. I was puppy walked by a volunteer puppy walking family for the first 10 months of my life and then I went back to the Guide Dog Training Centre where I had my intensive training to qualify as an Assistance Dog. I was fully trained and working at 18 months and was the first Golden doodle Assistance Dog in Ireland. My three brothers Clint, Chad, and Cash all went on to become Guide Dogs.
A.G What does an assistance dog pack in his suitcase?
Clive-My coat needs a lot of maintenance, so I always travel with a selection of brushes and combs to keep my coat in tip top condition. I also pack my favorite blanket that I sleep on when we travel to new places.
A.G. What transportation methods have you experienced, and which one is your favorite?
Clive-Planes, trains, and automobiles–I've been in them all. I'm in the car everyday and love travelling with Murray. I lie beside him, usually on the back seat of the car, with my head on his lap so he can pet me. I've travelled to Belgium, France and Spain on planes and, as a service dog, I am allowed to sit under Murray's feet on the plane. Every time we have travelled the airlines have been particularly helpful and have allocated an extra seat to us— so I have plenty of room. Planes are my favorite because it usually means a really interesting holiday!
A.G.: How do you pass airport checkpoints?
Clive-On check-in at Dublin Airport I just produce my pet passport, plus a letter from Murray's doctor confirming that he is on the autistic spectrum and needs to have me travelling with him. I never have any difficultly flying out of Dublin airport or returning home to Ireland. Sometimes we have to answer a few extra questions, but usually we get only help and assistance. At the security gate I walk through ahead of Murray and the security officer usually opens the pockets on my working jacket just to check what I carry inside (poop bags only!)
On arrival back in Dublin airport I have to check in with the vet at the Department of Agriculture office in the baggage reclaim section; the vet checks my pet passport, gives my micro-chip a quick read, and makes sure I have been tick and flea-treated within the previous 48 hours before I flew home.
A.G.: Do you get any perks in hotels or restaurants?
Clive-Usually not, I am a working dog and just expect to be allowed in to accompany Murray. I am not allowed to eat or drink in a restaurant—I have had my meals beforehand—and I always decline the offer of food or water from the waiting staff. Some will insist I need something to eat but Murray's mom always explains 'not while working!’. Some restaurants can be a little hesitant about having a dog (even a service dog) and Murray's mom has an ID card from Irish Guide Dogs which she shows the staff, explaining that I am fully entitled to be there with Murray.
When we travel abroad Murray's Mom has made up an ID card in Spanish, French, and Flemish to show in the relevant countries. France is extremely welcoming towards services dogs, Belgium also, however Spain is another matter altogether. This year, we persisted though, and even got a Spanish hotel to accept me and allow me in the dining room every evening. This was a huge step for the hotel and staff, but I was so well-behaved that at the end of the week's stay with them they were totally converted to the idea of 'working' dogs in their hotels. We also appreciated the fact that they upgraded us to a larger suite when we arrived.
We have also stayed in a lot of hotels around Ireland and our access laws in this country are regarded as some of the best in Europe. Assistance Dogs for Autism have only been in Ireland for the past six years and we were the first European country to Assistance Dogs. One of the things we always appreciate here in Ireland is how friendly and welcoming hotel/restaurant staff are to me, and indeed several times we have been allocated a larger room or suite (again usually on check-in when they see how big I am!) But we don't expect or need it—however it is very nice to get upgraded!
I have not travelled to the US before, so our holiday this July to South Carolina and New York will be a very interesting experience for us. Murray stayed in the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston last summer (because of Catie—their canine ambassador) as the family were worried about him missing me so much. This summer, however, we will all be together on holidays in Hilton Head—both Murray and me are very excited!
*Special thanks to Fiona, who acted as the perfect translator from Canine to English.
To read more about Clive and his wonderful family go to http://assistdogautism.blogspot.com/
Clive-Assistance Dogs need patience, a sense of fun, a willingness to play and a big sense of responsibility. Assistance Dogs really need to love children and accept and understand that they are working with children with special needs. Just like our cat understands Murray is special and the horses he rides instinctively know and understand Murray and his needs—I understand Murray and we work really well together.
I was trained by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind who train dogs for the blind and visually impaired and for children with autism. I was puppy walked by a volunteer puppy walking family for the first 10 months of my life and then I went back to the Guide Dog Training Centre where I had my intensive training to qualify as an Assistance Dog. I was fully trained and working at 18 months and was the first Golden doodle Assistance Dog in Ireland. My three brothers Clint, Chad, and Cash all went on to become Guide Dogs.
A.G What does an assistance dog pack in his suitcase?
Clive-My coat needs a lot of maintenance, so I always travel with a selection of brushes and combs to keep my coat in tip top condition. I also pack my favorite blanket that I sleep on when we travel to new places.
A.G. What transportation methods have you experienced, and which one is your favorite?
Clive-Planes, trains, and automobiles–I've been in them all. I'm in the car everyday and love travelling with Murray. I lie beside him, usually on the back seat of the car, with my head on his lap so he can pet me. I've travelled to Belgium, France and Spain on planes and, as a service dog, I am allowed to sit under Murray's feet on the plane. Every time we have travelled the airlines have been particularly helpful and have allocated an extra seat to us— so I have plenty of room. Planes are my favorite because it usually means a really interesting holiday!
A.G.: How do you pass airport checkpoints?
Clive-On check-in at Dublin Airport I just produce my pet passport, plus a letter from Murray's doctor confirming that he is on the autistic spectrum and needs to have me travelling with him. I never have any difficultly flying out of Dublin airport or returning home to Ireland. Sometimes we have to answer a few extra questions, but usually we get only help and assistance. At the security gate I walk through ahead of Murray and the security officer usually opens the pockets on my working jacket just to check what I carry inside (poop bags only!)
On arrival back in Dublin airport I have to check in with the vet at the Department of Agriculture office in the baggage reclaim section; the vet checks my pet passport, gives my micro-chip a quick read, and makes sure I have been tick and flea-treated within the previous 48 hours before I flew home.
A.G.: Do you get any perks in hotels or restaurants?
Clive-Usually not, I am a working dog and just expect to be allowed in to accompany Murray. I am not allowed to eat or drink in a restaurant—I have had my meals beforehand—and I always decline the offer of food or water from the waiting staff. Some will insist I need something to eat but Murray's mom always explains 'not while working!’. Some restaurants can be a little hesitant about having a dog (even a service dog) and Murray's mom has an ID card from Irish Guide Dogs which she shows the staff, explaining that I am fully entitled to be there with Murray.
When we travel abroad Murray's Mom has made up an ID card in Spanish, French, and Flemish to show in the relevant countries. France is extremely welcoming towards services dogs, Belgium also, however Spain is another matter altogether. This year, we persisted though, and even got a Spanish hotel to accept me and allow me in the dining room every evening. This was a huge step for the hotel and staff, but I was so well-behaved that at the end of the week's stay with them they were totally converted to the idea of 'working' dogs in their hotels. We also appreciated the fact that they upgraded us to a larger suite when we arrived.
We have also stayed in a lot of hotels around Ireland and our access laws in this country are regarded as some of the best in Europe. Assistance Dogs for Autism have only been in Ireland for the past six years and we were the first European country to Assistance Dogs. One of the things we always appreciate here in Ireland is how friendly and welcoming hotel/restaurant staff are to me, and indeed several times we have been allocated a larger room or suite (again usually on check-in when they see how big I am!) But we don't expect or need it—however it is very nice to get upgraded!
I have not travelled to the US before, so our holiday this July to South Carolina and New York will be a very interesting experience for us. Murray stayed in the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston last summer (because of Catie—their canine ambassador) as the family were worried about him missing me so much. This summer, however, we will all be together on holidays in Hilton Head—both Murray and me are very excited!
*Special thanks to Fiona, who acted as the perfect translator from Canine to English.
To read more about Clive and his wonderful family go to http://assistdogautism.blogspot.com/