This is Lexie. Over the next few days, I will tell you more about her and our family. But, first the basics: She is on loan from an amazing dog trainer in the area and comes to stay with us for overnights every few days. She is an 11 month old lab who is being trained as a service dog for someone with special needs. Her story has been followed in the newspapers and tv stations in the Savannah, GA area. The kids absolutely love her. And, She's the most obedient dog I have ever met, and there's still a ways to go in her training.
We are learning about what is possible in a dog in order to find and train the perfect dog for Noah. In his entire life, Noah has only asked for two things: a pair of green Converse All Stars and a dog. He got the shoes for Christmas.
Noah could be significantly helped by the presence of an animal who is specially trained to assist him. Calming, stabilizing, being a familiar presence in difficult places... We are discovering tons of possibilities of what a service dog can be for a child with autism. And, in the mean time, we are delighting at the joy that this dog is bringing to Noah's life.
In the shots here, you see Lexie with her head on Noah's knee in the car. She rides on the seat with him whenever she is asked and has a tremendous calming effect on him whenever there is physical contact between them. The other shot is of Andrew with Lexie on "place." Place is simply a predefined location on which Lexie must stay when commanded. The kids are allowed to join her on place, but she may not move off of it no matter what happens. Part of Lexie's training with us is to test the limits of "no matter what happens." It's what we are good at.
1 comment:
you've sucked me in....what about part 2? you can't leave me hanging!!!! he looks adorable. do you get to keep him for good? julie
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