Service dog helps heal and saves a life
Note from Judy: I thought it would be fun to share some of the stories of families who have 4 Paws for Ability service dogs that have affected their lives. Here’s one about a brother and sister who use a service dog:
September 9, 2008. WOW, it has been almost 9 months since bringing Brock home from 4 Paws for Ability. What an awesome time we have had and I’m sooo excited to share an update with you!!!
Before Brock came into Lauren’s life she was diagnosed with several different disorders: Autism, Profound ADHD, Severe Anxiety Disorder, Severe Sensory Integration Disorder, Communication Disorder, Speech Apraxia, Ocular Motor Apraxia, and a few others.
Before and while at 4 Paws Lauren was terrified of everything and couldn’t function very well while at 4 paws. She kept covering her ears, having panic attacks, and running away and not being able to go outdoors.
TODAY Lauren seems like a relatively normal child. She no longer has panic attacks, runs away, she loves playing outside with Brock, communicates a lot better than she did, and is functioning well in a normal classroom setting even without Brock.
She’s still diagnosed with Autism, Profound ADHD, SID, Speech Apraxia, BUT she is no longer severe enough to have a diagnoses of Anxiety Disorder! She went to her first friend’s birthday party the other day and the parents kept commenting on how different a child Lauren is today. She has the confidence to be able to interact with everyone and get involved in things that she did not before. Brock has done so much for her.
I have to say by now that Brock has probably saved Matthew’s life. I don’t know if he would still be here without him. We live by two busy streets and Matthew has now learned how to open windows and leave the house. He can open the locks up on top of the door, and we have had at least six search and rescues which have all been very successful within two minutes of finding out Matthew is gone.
Today when Matthew tried to leave the house, Brock started barking and getting in front of him and pushing him back towards the house. He still shies away from Matthew when Matt is running around playing because Matthew is a rough kid.
But every night when I tuck in Matthew Brock comes with me and kisses his face. When I check on Matthew before I go to bed Brock is right there and every morning Brock is right there.
Tonight Brock was hovering outside of Matthew’s door so I went to open it and Matthew was sleeping on the floor by the door. Brock got very very upset and started nuzzling him awake. Stayed right next to him while I was changing his diaper nuzzling him the whole time. It was just sooo awesome to see that the bonding at last has happened!!!
Matthew comes home from school every day and says hi to Brock first before he goes off and plays. When Matthew has meltdowns Brock is right there nuzzling him and Matthew rarely hurts himself anymore. Brock just seems to sense when something is off with either of the kids and is right there.
Walmart trips are awesome and we rarely have any meltdowns anymore! And Matthew has started talking A LOT. Most of the time its to say something about Brock or ask about him.
BOTH of my kids have improved sooo much since Brock has come home…so we call Brock the miracle dog!! He’s the best thing to have happened and I’m grateful to everyone at 4 Paws for everything they have done for our family!!! Sharon L.