New puppy = good therapy

Post Reply New Topic

My son has been begging for a dog for the last 3 years. We finally got one. She's not a specially trained therapy dog, just a labrador retriever puppy. Since bringing her home, my son has forgotten to wash his hands. LOL, which is a good thing, because he is an excessive handwasher. My son is much less anxious and he's moving through the house on his own. Previously, he was too anxious to go from room to room unless someone was right there with him. He enjoys feeding the puppy and looking after her. He doesn't consider her scary or dirty. So far, so good

Gratz on the new furry baby.

Well done, I would have chosen a smaller breed however.

_________________
Health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity I am not a jigsaw, I am a free man !

Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.

we got an Australian Shepherd when my son was five -- it turned out to be the best idea we ever had. I swear that dog has helped him develop social skills!

Kudos to you for getting the puppy! Glad that it's working out so well!

Awww. I'm looking forward to being able to get a dog for my kids. My 7 year old would be great with a dog, but my almost 4 year old is still too impulsive and he's pretty hard on one of our cats to be able to get a dog.

We had adopted a dog. A 5yr old Boxer. She has done wonders for my son. She is the most gentle and loving dog which makes it easier for our son. We adopted her in April this year and at first my son would pet her tight flat handed for a month. Then I started noticing him petting her. Actually petting her like I do. He has never done this before. My son is 13 and was just diagnosed in May with AS. It explains alot and with his sensory issues this has been GREAT for some of these issues. Its a wonderful idea for parents to use pets to help with this. I wish I would have thought of it long ago!

It's good that your son is feeling calmer with the dog around. I hope the companionship will continue to do him good.