Autistic Children & Dogs
There have been two recent books on pairing autistic children and dogs. A Friend Like Henry by Nuala Gardner recounts her sons journey from violent, terrifying tantrums and her journey from starting to prepare a fatal dose of painkillers and sleeping pills to the connection that her son Dale had with a Golden Retriever and how that slowly blossomed into connections with others.
Before Henry, days were 18 hours of tantrums. An hour to get pajamas off. Another hour to get clothes on. A local pediatrician diagnosed Dale with a communication disorder. The family learned to communicate through Henry.
Cowboy was another Golden Retriever bought at a pet store, from a puppy mill and I must admit for me half the time, I just felt sorrow for Cowboy and angry that anyone buys puppys from puppy mills. Cowboy had numerous auto-immune deficiencies and did not even make it to age 3. And thinking of all the difference she made to Wills in that short time, I can only think "What if", "What if they had a long and happy life together. Like Henry, this book, Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway, Cowboy brings out the child. Her presence brings his classmates over to say hello. Her comfort allows Wills to play with other children and form friendship.
There are a number of places that you can check out dogs and autism.
Autism Service Dogs of America
North Star Foundation
Canine Companions for Independence
Some train and only place fully trained adult dogs
Some choose a puppy that they think will help a particular child.
Eliza
Before Henry, days were 18 hours of tantrums. An hour to get pajamas off. Another hour to get clothes on. A local pediatrician diagnosed Dale with a communication disorder. The family learned to communicate through Henry.
Cowboy was another Golden Retriever bought at a pet store, from a puppy mill and I must admit for me half the time, I just felt sorrow for Cowboy and angry that anyone buys puppys from puppy mills. Cowboy had numerous auto-immune deficiencies and did not even make it to age 3. And thinking of all the difference she made to Wills in that short time, I can only think "What if", "What if they had a long and happy life together. Like Henry, this book, Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway, Cowboy brings out the child. Her presence brings his classmates over to say hello. Her comfort allows Wills to play with other children and form friendship.
There are a number of places that you can check out dogs and autism.
Autism Service Dogs of America
North Star Foundation
Canine Companions for Independence
Some train and only place fully trained adult dogs
Some choose a puppy that they think will help a particular child.
Eliza
Labels: Autism, Golden Retrievers, healing dogs, Ukiah Library
posted by Staff of the Mendocino County Library | 12:35 PM
1 Comments:
Thank you for takin the time to write this. My daughter is 9 - she was diagnosed at 6 with PDD-NOS and ADD ... a double whammy ... she is perfect to us. We are trying to decide puppy or adult dog. If anyone has an opinion - we are ready to listen.
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