Saturday, 20 February 2010

• Autism Pet Therapy

  I was exchanging emails with an old friend of mine the other day.  I’ll change her name to protect her identity.  We’ll call her Elaine.  Elaine is bipolar.  (  http://bit.ly/cVUsq)    Elaine, like most people with autism, has problems “dealing” with people in the workplace.  She has had problems holding a job.  I admire her greatly in the fact that she talks about this so frankly with me.  She goes on to tell me that she can deal with animals, however.  Especially dogs.  While she explained her dilemma, it made me think about our kids.  Animals are such a great source of autism therapy!  For so many of us.       

  Elaine is just one example of a person who is helped by the companionship of animals.  Pet therapy in its simplest form.  A dog or a cat.  Even a horse can help someone with neurological problems like autism, bipolar disorder, Downs Syndrome, even epilepsy.  Yes, a therapy dog can sense when someone is about to go into a seizure.  Properly trained pets are amazing!   
  

  I just did a Google search for “Pet Therapy Dogs” and came back with 6 million, 7 hundred thousand hits.  That’s a lot of Fidos!  Here’s a site for therapy dogs that do rescue & visit nursing homes:

  http://www.tdi-dog.org/

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  Wiki has an interesting piece on the history of Pet Therapy Dogs:

  During World War II, under combat operations against Japanese forces on the island of New Guinea, an American soldier found a young adult Yorkshire Terrier abandoned on the battlefield. Unable to care for the dog, Corporal William Wynne bought the female “Yorkie” and named her Smoky.

  Her service as a therapy dog began when Corporal Wynne was hospitalized for a jungle disease. As Wynne recovered, Wynne’s Army pals brought Smoky to the hospital for a visit and to cheer the soldier up. Smoky immediately became a hit with the other wounded soldiers. Dr. Charles Mayo, of the famed Mayo Clinic, was the commanding officer who allowed Smoky to go on rounds and also permitted her to sleep with Wynne in his hospital bed for five nights. Smoky’s work as a therapy dog continued for 12 years, during and after World War II.

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  I’ve seen what pet therapy has meant to my son with autism.  To our entire family.  Our late fur baby (as one of my friends calls dogs) Dixie was our first family pet.  Dixie picked Chase.  Story behind that.  My husband Trey took our 9 month old Chase to a breeder’s home to see these black lab puppies.  He had it in his mind that he was going to sit Chase in the middle of the room.  First pup that came to Chase was IT!  Dixie couldn’t resist.  She was OUR dog.

  

  Our neurotypical son, Dylan was born two years later.  Dixie was his second mom.  Any time that Dylan made a sound, Dixie was there to take care of it.  She would look at me as if to say, “come on, Mom…let’s go!”  She was his dog too.  They were inseparable.  Playing ball, cuddling, etc.  She loved her boys.   She knew when her boys needed her.  She was a pet therapist. She was rewarded with sloppy, wet kisses and all of the pop tarts and sweets she could steal from them.  She was no dummy.  She knew where the good stuff was. 

  Then, in her last year of life, it was my turn.  I had a health setback.  I don’t know how she knew.  But, Dix knew.  She never left my side.  Even though she had her own health problems (epilepsy, congestive heart failure & diabetes…yes, we gave her insulin injections twice a day) she gave me unconditional love and support every day.  Until her last day.  It was her greatest gift.  I credit my husband, my boys and my Dixie with my regained health today.  She was my guardian angel.  Pet therapy works!  

  Now, we have Katie.  Bless her heart.  We wanted another black lab because we had so much success with the breed.  She is part black lab, part Tasmanian Devil!  Our son Chase plays with her every day after school.  He loves her so.  Cesar Millan from Dog Whisperer would have a fit watching the two of them play, but they have so much fun!  We just let them goof off.  He has his daily pet therapy with Katie.  Dylan loves her too.  Is she trained to be a therapy dog?  Nah.  I would love to get her certified one day.

  If you have a child with autism, I HIGHLY recommend pet therapy!!!  But, you have to be aware of the breed and animal.  IF you are into dogs (as our family is) check out the AKC & UKC websites:

  http://bit.ly/K1WO3

  http://bit.ly/mKD08

  Also take into consideration if your child has allergies.  Thankfully, our children don’t, or we would look at fish.  Don’t laugh!  Fish are great autism therapy for children.  They are very soothing and a great first pet.  I’ve talked to many parents who have had great success with fish as pet therapy.  Bottom line is:  you know what is best for your child.  A dog was best for ours, although my husband still wants to consult Cesar Millan on that one!  LOL!
  

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