One of my favorite side gigs with this job is when I am asked to come into a school, organization or community group and speak with the members. It appeals to the volunteer in me and runs deep in my social work blood. To see the faces of the kids light up when the dogs walk into the room, is good for the body and the soul. Fortunately I have the support of a great team and their amazing dogs who make doing these presentations a piece of cake.
This week I was asked to visit a girl guide group in Paradise and the experience was a little different.
To set the stage…
I brought along Morgan (my friendly easy going 13 year old Yellow Labrador). I asked Lesley and Lee to bring along Leo (a goofy 7 year old Great Dane) and Dakota (a lovable border collie mix). Leo and Dakota are always big hits. I also asked Cheryl to bring Teddy (a very cute and cuddly one year old Havanese). I love seeing the reactions to the people we visit especially when we have this variety of dogs in the room…young to senior, small to large. It is always a good time and the dogs LOVE the attention.
When I walked into the room, I was met with a huge group of young girls ohhing and awing about the puppies. One of the leaders approached me and said one of the girls was very terrified of dogs. She had been attacked when she was younger and had not gotten over the incident. I assured her we would keep the dogs away from this girl and they would be under our control at all times.
I looked across the room to see Ashley in a chair crying her eyes out. Her mom was with her assuring everything was going to be ok. I wondered why she chose to attend the meeting but I was told later, she wanted to face her fears.
Ya, Ashley is that kind of kid. My heart went out to her.
I spoke to Ashley. I assured her that we would be in complete control of the dogs at all times, that she could do as much or as little interacting as she wanted, that the dogs were all therapy dogs…they were all regulars in the hospitals and seniors homes, that they were all demo dogs for me and had done this numerous times before. At this point, Ashley was unconvinced :).
We started the presentation and I got the kids involved and talking. I saw Ashley’s emotion changing. She stopped crying and started to participate in the discussion. I explained the steps one takes to properly approach and touch a dog. I got all the kids to run through the scenario individually and practice on the dogs. They were having a ball. I also saw Ashley get more interested. She started, with her mom, to move closer and closer to the action
As the time went on, the dogs were more relaxed. Teddy was a lump on the floor allowing kids to pet, touch and handle. He was almost asleep. I saw Ashley looking. I suggested she go over and touch Teddy’s bum. She reluctantly did so...it made me smile
Ashley is the third kid from right with the ponytail reaching in and touching.
She did so a couple of times first with her mom and then alone. I then suggested she do so with Morgan. Morgan is a larger boy so for Ashley to step up to him was BIG! And boy did she!!!! You could not knock the grin off my face and look at the grin on hers.
She came back to Morgan a number of times. He is so easy going and gentle, Ashley got more confortable with him.
I handed Morgan off to Lesley and grabbed Dakota. This was a BIG step. Dakota resembled the dog next door who she was afraid of. With some encouragement from one of her leaders, Ashley went for it.
We went all in after that. I grabbed Leo and asked if she wanted to see him. With some reassurance and encouragement, she patted Leo. Again, look at the grin and the body language…talk about overcoming your fears!!!
Ashley kept coming back to Morgan though and told her mom she liked him. She sat on the floor with him and even got up around his head. I was so proud of her. I looked over at her mom…she was amazed and so pleased with her daughter.
Before we finished up, we went for broke. I asked Ashley if she would like to walk Morgan. Reluctantly and with some encouragement, she agreed.
Was it a success? You be the judge…
This young girl was crying an hour previously at the thought of dogs being in the room. Look at her face in this picture. It really says it all.
I received all these pictures and a couple of facebook messages from her mom, Jennifer, later in the evening
"Hi Ken , Thank you and your group for attending our guide group tonight. Ashley is still smiling from her experience , she is so proud of herself and I am so proud of her for trusting in you , Morgan and your team. It’s a moment we wont forget, huge step for her. Ashley and I will continue to view your postings . I've attached the pictures from this evening . our hearts are full ... thanks so very much.
Ashley went from sitting in a chair with tears to walking Morgan and smiling at the end of the meeting ..
WOW
We are going to print the photos and put them on her bulletin board in her room so she can remember that dogs are friendly and sweet
Feel free to share our experience it's one we will never forget”
And then I received this one a couple of days later….
"Hi Ken , just wanted to follow up with you. Ashley had a school outing today at Sunshine Park and she encountered a dog that was on a leash . She told me she didn't panic or feel nervous inside as she did in the past . She thought of her experience this week during your visit. Thanks again for making a positive impact”
Sometimes it is the little things in life which make it so worthwhile. The things that many of us take for granted are huge obstacles for others. And then there are times when you can play a role in making someone’s life a little better.
Thanks to the Paradise Girl Guides for the invite, Ashley and Jennifer for allowing me to share this story and of course Cheryl and Teddy, Lee and Lesley, Leo and Dakota for coming out and doing this type of thing with me. You guys and your four legged critters are amazing. I appreciate everything you do so much.