tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post2299278206733853670..comments2024-01-26T03:49:33.080-05:00Comments on Rarer in Girls...My Daughter with Autism: DogsSuzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240262747073351481noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-54024231175559606522013-06-17T17:12:53.615-04:002013-06-17T17:12:53.615-04:00I'd find a therapy dog to work with her. When...I'd find a therapy dog to work with her. When I was looking for a therapist for Leah, I saw that several used therapy dogs in their practices. They say that it only takes a day to overcome a phobia with desensitization techniques.mknecht24https://www.blogger.com/profile/17819582073139000178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-62608589269957840452013-06-17T15:17:36.321-04:002013-06-17T15:17:36.321-04:00I used to have a dog phobia when I was little. Thi...I used to have a dog phobia when I was little. Thinking back, I believe it had something to do with them being both unpredictable and out of my control. Stuff like "he only wants to play" etc. did not do any good. I don't recall ever having been afraid of puppies, though. Don't they say that you need to have imagination to be able to fear?Anttihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03698236723394477310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-68206994486787566232013-06-16T09:14:44.138-04:002013-06-16T09:14:44.138-04:00Hi Suzanne,
I've really been enjoying your bl...Hi Suzanne,<br /><br />I've really been enjoying your blog. I am always so touched, and impressed, with the sensitivity and love and wisdom you show in caring for Janey.<br /><br />My family has had dogs, and small children, for years. Here's what we've found out:<br /><br />Many dogs will bark or growl if approached by a child they don't know, so please don't try to get her to approach strange dogs now. Some dogs will bark or growl even if the child doesn't approach them, so I'm afraid this might be a disaster waiting to happen.<br /><br />Either a therapy dog, or a very, very gentle older dog, might work both to help with her fear, and to get her used to ways of dealing with dogs. I think you have way too much on your plate now, but perhaps if you got a dog before your older sons went off to college, they could help with the adjustment.<br /><br />A gentle, loving dog might end up being a big help to you with Janey. My children were not autistic, so it might not be the same, but the dogs we had were a big part of making them feel safe and loved while growing up.Mary Leonhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13751249833273087756noreply@blogger.com