POSITIVE VIBES: An elementary student with limited vision and mobility practicing walking with the assistance of her walker with Therapy Dog Finley; Pawsitive Friendships currently has over 110 Animal Therapy teams and 1,500 individuals with special needs enrolled in its programs — from clinics and special education schools to adults with developmental disabilities.

In life, we are often faced with and challenged by unexpected and difficult situations. The way that we react to and deal with them makes all the difference. Will we choose to be angry or seek someone to blame? Or will we take action and focus on the future, instead?

When my four-year-old son was diagnosed with Autism in 2012, I found myself in just such a situation. This was my crossroads. After running the entire gamut of emotions, from anger and sadness to depression. I ultimately emerged secure in my determination to dedicate all of my efforts towards helping my beloved son mature into a successful young man.

After receiving my son’s initial diagnosis, we were referred for an Occupational Therapy evaluation. I was confident that all he needed was to work on some of his fine motor skills. After the therapist completed her assessment, she reviewed the results with me. I was stunned! My four-year-old son had the upper body strength of an 18- month-old and the grasping strength of a nine-month-old. He couldn’t stack more than two blocks, had various sensory issues… the list of his deficits seemed endless.

Shaken to the core, but more determined than ever to prepare him for school, I accompanied him to OT sessions twice a week, questioning the “why’s” of everything he and the therapist did together. Then, I turned his playroom at home into an OT gym and tried to duplicate his exercises at the clinic. He had other ideas. Choosing his preferred – and familiar – activities, he would run away or hit, kick, and spit at me to avoid the exercises. One

day, I decided to try something different by making my French Bulldog Zoe, who always sat next to me, the focus of his attention.

I began with the swing. I asked, if Zoe sat in the swing with him, would he stay in? He said “yes.” We tried it and it worked! He stayed in the swing petting Zoe, and she loved the attention. Next up, wheelbarrow walks. I had Zoe “wait” on one side of the room. I told my son that I would place a small dog biscuit on his back that he would “walk” over to her, remove it and give it to her. Once he agreed and got into position, I grabbed his legs and placed the dog biscuit on his back. Although he was wobbly and the biscuit fell off, he excitedly said, “Put it back on!” I did and he eagerly, if somewhat shakily, wheelbarrow walked it over to Zoe. He gave her the biscuit and jumped up, saying, “Let’s do it again!” I was elated!

Our small successes prompted me to incorporate Zoe into every exercise and activity he did. I then added my other Frenchie, Jacques into the mix, who was still a puppy and LOVED playing tug-o-war and catching balls and Frisbees. Jacques’ upper body strength came naturally to him because of his large head and broad shoulders. He not only helped my son build up his upper body strength, he helped with his life skills as well. Since my son was still learning how to take a bath and have his teeth brushed, he was only too happy to “teach” Jacques the ropes

SHAKEN TO THE CORE: I was stunned after the therapist completed her assessment and reviewed the results with me. The list of my son's deficits seemed endless.