what do you think about.....

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-24-2003
what do you think about.....
1
Thu, 06-16-2005 - 1:28pm
Us buying Maya a dog. She is twenty two months and, don't forget we have an almost four year old that would love it. We just bought six acres and, our new house will be ready end of July.We will have a pool and, because of Mayas love of water it makes me nervouse. Other than the standerd precautions we thought a dog might help. We want to get a German sheperd and, have it proffesionally trained to keep Maya out of things like the pool and, cow pens. What do you all think? Are these unrealistic ideaS OR, GOOD ONES? Wendy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-16-2005 - 2:35pm

Chelsea is the one for this, but if you want the dog to be specially trained you should look into disability assistance dogs. Particularly if you want the dog for safety training. If you are looking for a pooch that will be a great companion and help in ways that don't require special training then you go for it.

We have 2 dogs and a cat for this very reason. They are great therapy for the kids just because of their furry calming presence. They teach the kids responsibility and even some empathy in learning to care for them. And a kitty make a fabulous weigted lap pad ;-).

It takes a while to get a special trained assistance dog but I hear they are great. We have considered doing puppy training for one of those places that are nearby. I have considered getting Mike an assistance dog. I hear one thing they are great for is sensing when the person with AS is beginning to get overwhelmed and will either guide them to leave a stressful situation and will even go up and do things to help calm the person. Even if it is climbing in thier lap. Our dogs do a bit of that naturally but they can't go into public places with the kids like stores, doctors offices and such.

Some are also trained in retrieving wanderers and alerting parents if the wanderer type wanders off.

Renee

Photobucket