My dog and my daughter with special needs

[JenniWDog]

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hi, just wondered if anyone else is in a similar position to me. I have a 6 yr old daughter with a rare chromosome condition and epilepsy. She’s wonderful and funny and determined and I love her to pieces. But certain aspects of life can be hard and my dog is such an emotional help to me.

I wrote this blog piece last year as a tribute to Scout and wondered if it might resonate with anyone else.

Gone to the dogs by Jenni Williams - Rollin' With Mama

 

[Mad Murphy]

Lovely words and yes youre right children with disabilities do benefit from having an pet. My grandson is autistic and to a large extent non verbal his tantrums are awful yet stroking the family cat or Amy the dog really help calm him, and its not just children .. In Murphys diary Ive touched on on the fact that my husband has FTD which is a form of dementia and Murphy is the get up and go in his life. With Murphy we get to go out places and walk in the most wonderful nature we make brief non challenging social contact when we meet other dog walkers and his routine helps OH hold onto his own routine.

Dos truely are wonderful.

 

[Buddy1]

Thank you - a really interesting read.

Apologies if I’m wrong, but would you happen to have been on an episode of ‘Ramblings’ with Clare Balding on
Radio 4? I can remember a walk in Surrey with a young girl and golden retriever (trust me to remember the dog breed!).

 

[JenniWDog]

Thank you - a really interesting read.

Apologies if I’m wrong, but would you happen to have been on an episode of ‘Ramblings’ with Clare Balding on
Radio 4? I can remember a walk in Surrey with a young girl and golden retriever (trust me to remember the dog breed!).

Oh my goodness, yes we were! About 3 years ago. Gosh, chuffed you remember! Although I’m fully aware it’s Eve and Scout you remember. I’m jus the spokesperson!

 

[Buddy1]

Ah, I thought so. Just reading your blog suddenly reminded me of the episode. I remember it was a lovely and uplifting piece of radio.

 

[JenniWDog]

Thank you, that’s so kind of you to say. It was a wonderful experience and Clare is as lovely in real life as you’d hope.

 

[Whippylove]

Hi my son has Dravet syndrome and autism my daughter has asperger's and my dogs are amazing especially with my son. My last dog use to stay in my sons bedroom and come and let me know when he was going to have a seizure he is so sadly missed. Being honest I don't know how I would cope with things if it wasn't for my dog's.

 

[JenniWDog]

Lovely words and yes youre right children with disabilities do benefit from having an pet. My grandson is autistic and to a large extent non verbal his tantrums are awful yet stroking the family cat or Amy the dog really help calm him, and its not just children .. In Murphys diary Ive touched on on the fact that my husband has FTD which is a form of dementia and Murphy is the get up and go in his life. With Murphy we get to go out places and walk in the most wonderful nature we make brief non challenging social contact when we meet other dog walkers and his routine helps OH hold onto his own routine.

Dos truely are wonderful.

Yes, they are wonderful. Will have to check out Murphy’s Diary.

 

[JenniWDog]

Hi my son has Dravet syndrome and autism my daughter has asperger's and my dogs are amazing especially with my son. My last dog use to stay in my sons bedroom and come and let me know when he was going to have a seizure he is so sadly missed. Being honest I don't know how I would cope with things if it wasn't for my dog's.

Me neither! They’re just such a wonderful presence!

 

[JenniWDog]

Hi my son has Dravet syndrome and autism my daughter has asperger's and my dogs are amazing especially with my son. My last dog use to stay in my sons bedroom and come and let me know when he was going to have a seizure he is so sadly missed. Being honest I don't know how I would cope with things if it wasn't for my dog's.

Did you do anything to train your dog to alert to your son’s seizures or did he just seem to know anyway?

 

[Whippylove]

Did you do anything to train your dog to alert to your son’s seizures or did he just seem to know anyway?

Hi it was just something Zak picked up, we just kept rewarding him everytime he alerted us. Hours before my son took unwell Zak would follow my sons every move and sit at his feet so we'd know he wasn't going to be well. He was an amazing dog.

 

[JenniWDog]

That’s amazing. Scout definitely knows when my daughter has had one and just settles down and understands breakfast and her walk will be delayed.

My daughter usually has them as she’s waking up first thing in the morning and Scout sleeps downstairs so isn’t in the room to alert us.