Dog Saves Owner With Asperger’s Syndrome From Violent Meltdown
A Tempe woman recorded a video of her dog interrupting her violent Asperger’s meltdown and posted it online. Arizona resident Danielle Jacobs, 24, was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2013. She trained her 4-year-old Rottweiler Samson to stop her from self-harming, and he’s subsequently passed his CGC, CGCA, and PAT. Jacobs posted the video to raise awareness about her disorder.
“This is what having aspergers is like,” Jacobs writes on YouTube. “This is what’s considered a meltdown…I trained him to alert to depressive episodes and self harm not both but he alerted.” Elsewhere she recounts an analogy, “people with Asperger’s or autism are like a computer. There’s too much input not enough output – [you] lose power and crash.”
Asperger’s is an autism spectrum disorder according to the DSM-5. Sanson was adopted from the HALO animal rescue in Phoenix.
More info: YouTube (h/t: aplus)
Danielle Jacobs was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2013
She sometimes suffers anxiety and panic attacks like this one
Jacob’s dog Samson calmed her down during a violent meltdown that she caught on camera
Here’s the full video:
She got Samson from the HALO animal rescue in Phoenix and began training him immediately
Samson has passed his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and CGCA (Canine Community) tests and PAT (Public Access Test)
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As a person WITH Asperger's, and with friends who HAVE Asperger's, to see an article labeled with the words "Asperger's", "violent" and "meltdown" is horrible, and puts the idea in people's heads that those of us with it are prone to either violence or meltdowns. Why not just say "Dog Therapeutically Stops Owner From Having Meltdown"? Why the loaded words? ...because it's click bait. And people who doesn't know much or anything about Asperger's Syndrome will click this thinking it as some form of Schizophrenia or Psychosis. Yeah...thanks. Thanks for posting something which puts into people's minds that those of us with A.S. might be prone to violence, or need an animal to keep us sane. Way to misinform the public. THAT is what I have a problem with. The article suggests that people with A.S. are mentally unstable freaks. Good job, B******t Panda.
The "violent" part was simply grandstanding as so many news sources do to get the attention of the reading public. A horrible practice that does an injustice to so many people who are actually LIVING the situation. And I'd say the same thing happens to people with schizophrenia or psychosis. I'm sorry you had to face this this - especially when the article could have done some good by showing what a therapeutic dog can do for something other than a physical disability.
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It's really great that Samson can help her like this. Pets can bring so much love and comfort sometimes.
i have an anxiety disorder..and let me tell you..it makes me do crazy s**t sometimes...and that includes self harm
I have the same plus agoraphobia since 3 years. I tried many drugs and therapies but I really recommend you cognitive behavioural therapy. It works ! After 6 months attending I'm almost free of this s**t, and I'm not taking drugs anymore.
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I didn't know everyone here is an expert on Asperger's and Autism Spectrum Disorder. How great it must be to know everything! I'm so glad you can diagnose a person you've never even met by watching a short video. (I hope I don't need to point out the blatant sarcasm) Not everyone with a certain disorder or mental illness acts the same way. As someone who has dealt with various mental disorders within in her family, I resent they way people try make everyone fit into a certain box. Like they've labeled you in their mind and when you do something different from their misconceptions they just add or subtract different labels. People are so fixated on the illness that they no longer see the person.
My son has Asperger and never ever had that kind of meltdown so I agree with what you say
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This actually made me cry. Service dogs and truly life savers and can provide an amazing range of support actions. Not to mention that all important loving snuggle when things just seem so hard.
I cried too...it was hard to watch. I really feel for her but am so glad that she has Samson to help her through that. Not to mention that he's a Rottie and a true ambassador for the breed!
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Oh honey I'm so sorry you have these attacks, they are not fun cause I know how it feels. I'm so glad you got your buddy to help you through the rough times. Stay strong, you will get thru it.
This dog is awesome. I have a brother with Autism and Retardation. I think I'm going to get him a service dog. He's been have more and more aggressive outbreaks. I hope a furbaby helps him.
Good idea. Even if the dog is just a pet, it will give him something to focus on. (Not a mental health expert, just my opinion).
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What I do t understand is that why isn't the person taking the video helping him?
I AGREE WITH Mr, Tree1779. A compassionate video and a wonderful thing that the dog was trained to help this person. Having a disability myself I HATE when we get painted with the same brush. I am a person first and my disability is only a small part of who I am.
Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. So happy Danielle found her "Angel" helper.
This is awesome, animals can help in so many ways, my animals keep me happy and makes me get up everyday and do something for them, everyone should have an animal in their lives, they help in so many ways! And there would be less shelters...
A Dog's role on this earth is to aid man. This can take many forms but they do connect with disabled people very , very , well. They have the Compassion and the ability to calm the situation down and assist those that are hurt emotionally.
His name was Kayden Clarke. He was not a woman. He was a trans man. Your use of "she/her" when he used "he/him" pronouns, as he mentions in his videos (clearly the only research done was on the videos that could sensationalise his murder) and your use of Kaydens birth assigned name is wrong and harmful. So is your depiction of autistic people, on that note. (I am autistic myself, and a trans person.)
You have a sweet dog. I see it says you trained but I bet love was there first. You just help the dog were to put love and thank you for saving me to be!
I believe the woman who posted the video used the word meltdown, and violent, while strong, does describe someone hurting themselves. For me, I didn't think anything negative about this post or about the woman with Asperger's. I only saw an individual who took charge of her circumstance by training a dog to help her, and doing it so well that her pet did his job. I found it remarkable and inspiring. Coming from a family with more than its share of anxiety and panic disorders, it's good information to have that you can train a pet to assist you with behavioral issues.
There really is nothing a Rottweiler would like more than making people "calm the eff down".
I've never known *anyone* with Asperger's to have 'violent meltdowns' or to 'self-harm'. Self-harm is related to depression, suicidal tendencies, and possibly low-functioning Autism. The title of this post is incredibly inaccurate and misinformed.
Aspergers is a high functioning form of autism, and like all forms of autism occurs on a spectrum of behaviors. While there are some commonalities among people with high functioning autism, and autism in general, it is impossible to say that all individuals will behave the same. The title is not where the misinformation occurs here.
Load More Replies...
As a person WITH Asperger's, and with friends who HAVE Asperger's, to see an article labeled with the words "Asperger's", "violent" and "meltdown" is horrible, and puts the idea in people's heads that those of us with it are prone to either violence or meltdowns. Why not just say "Dog Therapeutically Stops Owner From Having Meltdown"? Why the loaded words? ...because it's click bait. And people who doesn't know much or anything about Asperger's Syndrome will click this thinking it as some form of Schizophrenia or Psychosis. Yeah...thanks. Thanks for posting something which puts into people's minds that those of us with A.S. might be prone to violence, or need an animal to keep us sane. Way to misinform the public. THAT is what I have a problem with. The article suggests that people with A.S. are mentally unstable freaks. Good job, B******t Panda.
The "violent" part was simply grandstanding as so many news sources do to get the attention of the reading public. A horrible practice that does an injustice to so many people who are actually LIVING the situation. And I'd say the same thing happens to people with schizophrenia or psychosis. I'm sorry you had to face this this - especially when the article could have done some good by showing what a therapeutic dog can do for something other than a physical disability.
Load More Replies... It's really great that Samson can help her like this. Pets can bring so much love and comfort sometimes.
i have an anxiety disorder..and let me tell you..it makes me do crazy s**t sometimes...and that includes self harm
I have the same plus agoraphobia since 3 years. I tried many drugs and therapies but I really recommend you cognitive behavioural therapy. It works ! After 6 months attending I'm almost free of this s**t, and I'm not taking drugs anymore.
Load More Replies... I didn't know everyone here is an expert on Asperger's and Autism Spectrum Disorder. How great it must be to know everything! I'm so glad you can diagnose a person you've never even met by watching a short video. (I hope I don't need to point out the blatant sarcasm) Not everyone with a certain disorder or mental illness acts the same way. As someone who has dealt with various mental disorders within in her family, I resent they way people try make everyone fit into a certain box. Like they've labeled you in their mind and when you do something different from their misconceptions they just add or subtract different labels. People are so fixated on the illness that they no longer see the person.
My son has Asperger and never ever had that kind of meltdown so I agree with what you say
Load More Replies... This actually made me cry. Service dogs and truly life savers and can provide an amazing range of support actions. Not to mention that all important loving snuggle when things just seem so hard.
I cried too...it was hard to watch. I really feel for her but am so glad that she has Samson to help her through that. Not to mention that he's a Rottie and a true ambassador for the breed!
Load More Replies... Oh honey I'm so sorry you have these attacks, they are not fun cause I know how it feels. I'm so glad you got your buddy to help you through the rough times. Stay strong, you will get thru it.
This dog is awesome. I have a brother with Autism and Retardation. I think I'm going to get him a service dog. He's been have more and more aggressive outbreaks. I hope a furbaby helps him.
Good idea. Even if the dog is just a pet, it will give him something to focus on. (Not a mental health expert, just my opinion).
Load More Replies... What I do t understand is that why isn't the person taking the video helping him?
I AGREE WITH Mr, Tree1779. A compassionate video and a wonderful thing that the dog was trained to help this person. Having a disability myself I HATE when we get painted with the same brush. I am a person first and my disability is only a small part of who I am.
Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. So happy Danielle found her "Angel" helper.
This is awesome, animals can help in so many ways, my animals keep me happy and makes me get up everyday and do something for them, everyone should have an animal in their lives, they help in so many ways! And there would be less shelters...
A Dog's role on this earth is to aid man. This can take many forms but they do connect with disabled people very , very , well. They have the Compassion and the ability to calm the situation down and assist those that are hurt emotionally.
His name was Kayden Clarke. He was not a woman. He was a trans man. Your use of "she/her" when he used "he/him" pronouns, as he mentions in his videos (clearly the only research done was on the videos that could sensationalise his murder) and your use of Kaydens birth assigned name is wrong and harmful. So is your depiction of autistic people, on that note. (I am autistic myself, and a trans person.)
You have a sweet dog. I see it says you trained but I bet love was there first. You just help the dog were to put love and thank you for saving me to be!
I believe the woman who posted the video used the word meltdown, and violent, while strong, does describe someone hurting themselves. For me, I didn't think anything negative about this post or about the woman with Asperger's. I only saw an individual who took charge of her circumstance by training a dog to help her, and doing it so well that her pet did his job. I found it remarkable and inspiring. Coming from a family with more than its share of anxiety and panic disorders, it's good information to have that you can train a pet to assist you with behavioral issues.
There really is nothing a Rottweiler would like more than making people "calm the eff down".
I've never known *anyone* with Asperger's to have 'violent meltdowns' or to 'self-harm'. Self-harm is related to depression, suicidal tendencies, and possibly low-functioning Autism. The title of this post is incredibly inaccurate and misinformed.
Aspergers is a high functioning form of autism, and like all forms of autism occurs on a spectrum of behaviors. While there are some commonalities among people with high functioning autism, and autism in general, it is impossible to say that all individuals will behave the same. The title is not where the misinformation occurs here.
Load More Replies... 
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