My Aussie for Autism: Journal #4

Our Purpose

My only child, Matthew James, is a very special little boy. Born in November of 1999, I lost him to non-verbal Autism in February 2001. He's the greatest joy of my life, although my heart still aches with hope for his life.

Matthew lives on the periphery of our world, only interacting with me or other members of our family when he wants to, or when he needs something. He's a very good little boy, but I long for him to be able to engage with his us and other aspects of our world more appropriately and comfortably.

Inspired by the idea of Animal Assisted Therapy, especially those dogs who are now being trained for children with Autism, I felt strongly that this complimentary therapy could make a difference in his life.

Unlike other families who wish to obtain an Autism Service Dog that has ALREADY been trained, and therefore a much more significant investment upfront, I felt the best option for our family - most specifically the best option for my son, was to get puppy that could grow and learn WITH him.

I knew I could inspire Matthew's interest in a dog more successfully, if he's given a longer period of time to become accustomed to one. From the day to day acclimation that would be required, he'll come to understand that a puppy learns and grows as he does - and can become a valued member of our family!

And so, I'd like to introduce you to Amistad's Falen aka "Pippi" our special dog for our special needs.

Why an Australian Shepherd?

Aussie's are known for their high level of intelligence and their strong desire to "work." I fell in love with the breed when I worked in an Assisted Living community and met "Buddy," a four year old Australian Shepherd who belonged to one of our residents. He still lives with her at the community in the special wing dedicated to residents with memory impairments. He has a wonderful personality, and it was evident that he thoroughly enjoyed visiting with all of the many people he came into contact with everyday.

In an article from Psychiatric Times, "Therapy with children now part of a dog's life," (which I've also included in our blog's navigation to the right) Child and adolescent psychiatrist Rachel Fleissner, M.D., has two trained dogs assisting her in therapy with children diagnosed with mental and developmental disorders. Those dogs are Australian Shepherds!

Because Australian Shepherds are "sight dogs," they are masters at reading body language, said Fleissner.

Having a child who is non-verbal means having to suffer through a crash-course in reading body language! After much research on the topic of Autism Service Dogs, I knew that the Australian Shepherd breed was going to be a good fit for my son and me.

It was destined to be an action packed day to be sure! Not only was I having a puppy shipped from Montana to Texas via Utah, but I had to attend an ARD meeting at my son's elementary school right smack dab in the middle of my work day. This ARD (Admission, Review and Dismissal) meeting is the meat and potatos of the Special Education Department of the public school system. Our meeting's agenda was to review goals and to make plans for extended school year as well as a change of school for the next academic school year. Needless to say it....YIKES!

Once the meeting was over and I'd wrapped up my work for the day, I hung out at my parent's house (as Matthew is dropped off there from school each day) to await the time to head to the airport to get our puppy. I'd heard from Judie earlier that morning - she was letting me know that they'd made it to the airport okay and that she had Falen/Pippi all checked in. It was especially hard for Judie because she'd never "shipped" a puppy before - only adult dogs. Quite honestly, I don't know how she did it! It would've been tremendously hard for me.

After promising Judie that I'd check on Pippi's flight status throughout the day to ensure she took off and landed at all the appropriate places - we hung up and the wait began! She left Billings, Montana at 11:45am and would arrive in Salt Lake City, Utah about 1pm. She'd leave SLC before 5pm and arrive in Houston at 8:52pm. Cowabunga! I was on pins and needles!!

However, when I called the SECOND time to check on her flight into Salt Lake City - I was hoping to hear how she fared from Billings, but they informed me that she arrived and was already put on an earlier flight into Houston and would be arriving at 5:46pm instead of 8:52pm. Being that it was 3:30pm my time when I'd made the call - I was super-duper excited! As was my dad and my brother Jimmy - who were both accompanying me to the airport.

We left the house at 5pm and arrived on perfect time at the Air Cargo location specificed. We were told that she'd just landed and it would be about an hour before they delivered her to that particular location - as the airlines was clear across the airport and those things took time. SO.....the three of us mosied on over to the closest Jack in the Box to waste a little time. We were there all of 10 minutes. I was itching to get back - I'd rather drink my soda in my dad's truck - staring at the air cargo building than waiting in a deserted fast food joint.

When we pulled back into the Air Cargo location, I had a hunch that she'd arrived. And sure enough, she arrived as soon as we'd pulled out to go and get our sodas. Figures! Anyway...I pop my head out the door to wave and holler at my dad - and my brother Jimmy gets the first glimpse of Pippi as they brought in her crate. WOW! She's A LOT bigger than I expected for a 10 week old puppy. The last puppy I'd seen was my dad's Mini Aussie - and now I see why he's a mini. My little standard Aussie has some BIG feet that she'll be growing into, in about a month! Oh my!

I couldn't get enough of her though. She is the MOST beautiful Red/Brown color, accented by amber/gold and white. And her eyes are the same amber color in her funny little face. I could just eat her up she's SO cute. And she's a real cuddle bunny too! She gives LOTS of kisses. So,that was IT! My heart was gone. After paying the COD, I was the proud owner of my very own gorgeous Red-Tri Standard Australian Shepherd puppy who was exactly 10 weeks of age and weighing 13.75 pounds already. She is the very same size of my dad's FULL-GROWN Mini Aussie.

She never barked, or uttered a whine. She simply kissed us all over and wiggled her little NBT (Naturally Bobbed Tail) butt - in excitement to see us! And with her snuggled in my arms, we made our way to my dad's truck and drove the 10 miles back home to introduce her to the rest of our extended family!

My Favorite Quotes About Dogs

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went
~Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
~Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
~Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
~Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.
~M. Acklam