Families, Volunteers Fight To Keep 'Life Saving' Heeling Autism Program

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Heeling Autism gave families across the Tri-State Area a new leash on life, but now its future is uncertain and thousands are standing up to save it.

As CBS2's Vanessa Murdock explained, it takes service dogs to make taking a group picture possible. Without them families say their children -- who live with autism -- would bolt.

"All the psychologists, therapists, nobody could extinguish those behaviors that were so dangerous," Eileen Muniz said.

But Randy could.

"Randy's one big dog," Vincent said.

Muniz said their service dog Randy keeps her son Vincent alive.

"Randy saved his life countless times," Muniz said.

A number of families feel the same. That's why they came together to fight for Heeling Autism, the program that provided dogs like Rafael for free.

"I want them to not shut down Heeling Autism," Lucas said.

The parent organization Guiding Eyes for the Blind recently announced plans to end the Heeling Autism program as the families know it. Instead of one on one pairings with a child, dogs would serve groups in schools.

"If these dogs can save kids why would you stop doing it?" Gina DiFolco asked.

"This is a program that deserves to be out there in the world, growing and evolving, and they've put a stop to it," Guiding Eyes volunteer, Elizabeth Closmore said.

Closmore started a change.org petition, which has been signed by more than 10,000 people in a matter of days.

"I can't understand for the life of me, why after we've gathered 10,000 signatures the board is still digging in its heels about taking away the program," she said.

CBS2 sat down with CEO Tom Panek to find out.

"We carefully considered our long range plan and again, we're focused on our core mission -- the blind or visually impaired," he said.

Panek said the 72 families with service dogs won't be abandoned,  they are grandfathered in as are those on the waiting list.

"We're here for the families that have an autism service dog. I understand their passion. I understand the difference a dog can make," he said, "There's such a great need, such a demand that we feel partnering with experts in autism will help us make an even greater impact."

Panek said the Heeling Autism program isn't going away, but will shift its focus to providing service dogs to schools with children on the autism spectrum.

The families said such a drastic change is throwing the opportunity to save lives out the window.

There are currently 17 families on a waiting list to receive service dogs. Guiding Eyes for the Blind said despite changes to Heeling Autism each family will have the opportunity to be paired.