To Lisa and Russ Drury of Draper, it is almost a miracle.

Their 7-year-old daughter, Molly, was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome (a disorder classified on the autism spectrum) four years ago. Although she is high-functioning, she sometimes can be nonresponsive and unpredictable.

"Molly's disorder is manifested by severe, disabling anxiety attacks," her father said. "She lacks social skills and the ability to regulate her emotions."

Recently, there has been a change for the better. Molly's parents credit Aspen, a golden retriever with a touch of Irish setter, who became Molly's constant companion at the end of June.

"Before Aspen was here, we avoided going to public places with Molly," Russ Drury said. "She could have a meltdown at any time. Now, we can go out for dinner at different places. The dog sits by her. If she has an anxiety attack, Aspen cuddles at her side and calms her."

In the 60 years since autism first was described, researchers in every field have been looking for causes, cures and reasons for the broad spectrum of symptoms. So far, there are no clear answers.

But one thing is constant. Parents of autistic children share a desire to find help.

While dogs have worked as guides for visually impaired people and as helpers for those with disabilities, recognition of a service dog's unique ability to comfort and relate to children with autism is relatively new. Special training was started about 10 years ago and is regarded as an up-and-coming treatment.

When the Drurys saw an episode of the "Jane Pauley Show" in October about dogs working with autistic children, it opened a door.

Patty Dobbs Gross, founder of Connecticut-based NorthStar Foundation, which breeds and places dogs for children with physical and mental challenges, said there were more than 800 e-mails in response to her appearance on the Pauley program.

"Our dogs are the safety net under the safety net [of parental vigilance]. More than half the children we serve are affected with autism," she said.

"But there is no way we are going to be able to help everyone. We try to guide people to a breeder or trainer in their area."

Facing a possible two- to five-year wait for a NorthStar dog, the Drury family did more research and found veteran trainer Hal Steiner at Rocky Mountain Command Dogs in Bozeman, Mont. Steiner suggested they look for a dog and he would train it.

"The dogs are enormously expensive to train, and can cost from $7,000 to $15,000, and more," Russ Drury said, adding that the family could not have paid for the service dog training without a generous private donation.

"It took several weeks before we found our dog at the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter," Lisa Drury said. They adopted the dog, named her Aspen, and sent her to Montana.

Steiner, an animal trainer for 30 years, trains his dogs for seizure alert, obedience, rehabilitation and as service animals. Rocky Mountain Command Dogs works with the Possible Dream Foundation, people with Down syndrome and ski patrols, as well as training guard dogs.

For Molly's dog, Steiner stressed basic obedience and tracking, using her clothing so Aspen would recognize the girl's scent.

When Steiner felt the dog was ready - "It takes time, effort, patience, knowledge and perseverance" - Molly and her family made a successful trip through the Bozeman Mall. Then, they went home.

"There was an immediate improvement in Molly's symptoms," her father said, watching as Molly climbed on the family trampoline with Aspen right behind her. After a few bounces, and a couple of cherries from the nearby tree, they played hide and seek, interspersed with giggles and dog kisses.

"The dog wants to be with Molly," Drury said. "And Molly seems to gain strength and self-esteem. She feeds Aspen and Aspen sleeps in her room."

As a service dog, Aspen responds to Molly's anxiety attacks by lying at her side and licking her face to distract her.

The dog also is able to find Molly if she wanders away. And Aspen provides Molly a link to the outside world.

"Where once people looked at us because we had a child having a meltdown in a public place, they nod with understanding as her dog goes to work calming her. People ask her about her dog. And she talks to them," her father said.

While parents at the Utah Autism Information Resource Center have not reported personal experience with service dogs, Katie Rowley says it is recognized as an up-and-coming treatment.

"Dogs are a way to to help social interaction. It is something to consider. Perhaps parents could do some research on their own and see if it works with them."

Few people in the area have much personal experience with a one-on-one service dog for a child with autism spectrum disorder, but Douglas Goldsmith - executive director of The Children's Center, which provides mental health care for children 6 and younger - said the children enjoy visiting therapy dogs.

"The dogs are beautifully trained. Children like talking and cuddling with them. There is a lot of sharing," he said.

"Children with autism spectrum disorder consciously avoid eye contact with others. It is complicated. But they avoid looking at faces which change constantly," he continued. "A child with autism hanging with a dog makes sense because the dog's face doesn't change. It creates a comfort level."

The Delta Society - whose research includes the "Standards of Practice in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy" and is a recognized international resource for the human-animal bond - also takes a positive view.

Resource support director Michelle Cobey said, "Providing a pet has recognized value to many people and certainly has been extremely helpful for children with autism."

So far for the Drury family, things have improved. Lisa Drury is optimistic.

"We have 10 children, ranging from 27 to 4," she said. "They understand that Molly needs so much attention, but it's hard. Now, even though we always watch Molly with Aspen, it seems as if there is a little more time to spend with the other children."

Service dog training

facilities and resources

Using service dogs for children with autism spectrum disorder is recognized as an up-and-coming treatment. Service dogs are costly to train, requiring as much as 100 hours and between $7,000 and $15,000, sometimes more. Some service dogs are provided to people with disabilities for relatively little or no cost, with the extensive training paid for by donations to training facilities.

Resources for research and information include:

* The Delta Society

http://www.deltasociety.org

l NorthStar Foundation http://www.northstardogs .com/autism.shtml

l Susquehanna Service Dogs

http://www.keystonehuman services.org/ssd

l Rocky Mountain Command Dogs

rmcd@avicom.net

l W.N. Britton

4329 W. 5549 South, Kearns, 801-966-3733

l Gateway to Canine Companionship

40 N. 800 West, Salt Lake City, 801-359-5595

- Judy Magid