Delphina

Heidi had a very traumatic experience a couple of days ago at school.  A couple of boys threatened her and her big sister with some very awful things, things that would have been terrifying for anyone.  This event happened after school, and when I went to pick them up, they were both standing on the sidewalk just sobbing.  Heidi was inconsolable.  She wouldn't even move from where she was standing.  I had to pick her up and carry her to the car.  When we got home, I covered her with her weighted blanket, and then did some deep pressure therapy, but I just could not get her to calm down.  Finally, after about an hour in a warm bath, she started to calm down, but she was still very traumatized.  For the remainder of that day and most of the next, she barely spoke.  It was heartbreaking for me to see her like this.  As with most children with autism, she takes everything very literally.  Even sayings such as "the cat is out of the bag" will make her look around for a cat.  There was no way for her to understand in this situation that these boys were not a true threat and that they were trying to tease and get to her.

Brian and Debbie from AZ Goldens came over that next night with Delphina.  We were hoping that having Delphina around would help Heidi with this scary event, but even I didn't anticipate the effect this beautiful dog would have on her.  Heidi not only started speaking again, but she was laughing and smiling and running around, playing Hide-and-Seek with Delphina and practicing the commands that she has learned.  I was in awe, being able to see in such an amazing way just one of the many benefits that a service dog will have for Heidi and our family.  This experience was a great reminder to me about why I am working so hard to provide this tool for Heidi.  In the end, all of the work, tears, and anxiety will be more than worth it.

(For those of you that were wondering, yes, the situation with the boys is being handled.)