michelle
06-09-2010, 11:22 AM
I work at a middle school and today was my "floating holiday" so I have off. I decided to take Lola to work for a couple of reasons. I wanted to show some co-workers who this silly dog is that I talk about all the time and I wanted her to meet Dylan, a special education student who is blind and has other disabilities. Based on what I have observed with Lola's personality and instincts around children, I will continue working on her training and eventually I hope she can be a therapy dog.
Well she was a hit at school. I chose the morning since the students in the 8th grade are in their coordinated arts, so I could get away with her walking around in the 8th grade wing without many students around. She absolutely loved all the attention from my co-workers. She was being so formal and polite. She sat down and was giving everyone a proper hand shake as they greeted her! What a lady!
Eventually we made our way down to where Dylan's classroom is. He spends a lot of his time on this one swing that is in the center of the room. Lola was very cautious walking in, carefully watching Dylan and the noises that he makes (he can say a few words). Lola licked his hand, but Dylan didn't like that too much.
What I have been told is that Dylan likes the sound of barking. Since Lola isn't much of a barker, I didn't know how well it was going to go. Well did she surprise me. Dylan made a few barking noises as best he could and Lola started to "speak" back to him, wagging her tail, but standing next to me.
Dylan loved her bark. I have never seen him smile and laugh as much as he was when she was barking. He kept saying "yeah yeah" and just laughing. Lola caught on to this and kept barking for him.
All of us in the room were in shock on how well they were working together. Lola was giving Dylan just what he wanted and needed.
Now obviously, she might have just been barking at the swing he was on. That's very well possible, but it was so cute how they were feeding off each other.
Dylan has been around other dogs and was only interested when they were "speaking". His primary aide said that's the biggest smile and laugh he's heard from him. I'm sure a lot had to do with Lola's low bark.
Looks like Lola might go to school a few times this summer to "speak" with Dylan more!
Anybody on here have a "therapy" dog? We'll keep working on Lola's training, but she won't be mature enough until she's at least two.
Good start to my morning!
Well she was a hit at school. I chose the morning since the students in the 8th grade are in their coordinated arts, so I could get away with her walking around in the 8th grade wing without many students around. She absolutely loved all the attention from my co-workers. She was being so formal and polite. She sat down and was giving everyone a proper hand shake as they greeted her! What a lady!
Eventually we made our way down to where Dylan's classroom is. He spends a lot of his time on this one swing that is in the center of the room. Lola was very cautious walking in, carefully watching Dylan and the noises that he makes (he can say a few words). Lola licked his hand, but Dylan didn't like that too much.
What I have been told is that Dylan likes the sound of barking. Since Lola isn't much of a barker, I didn't know how well it was going to go. Well did she surprise me. Dylan made a few barking noises as best he could and Lola started to "speak" back to him, wagging her tail, but standing next to me.
Dylan loved her bark. I have never seen him smile and laugh as much as he was when she was barking. He kept saying "yeah yeah" and just laughing. Lola caught on to this and kept barking for him.
All of us in the room were in shock on how well they were working together. Lola was giving Dylan just what he wanted and needed.
Now obviously, she might have just been barking at the swing he was on. That's very well possible, but it was so cute how they were feeding off each other.
Dylan has been around other dogs and was only interested when they were "speaking". His primary aide said that's the biggest smile and laugh he's heard from him. I'm sure a lot had to do with Lola's low bark.
Looks like Lola might go to school a few times this summer to "speak" with Dylan more!
Anybody on here have a "therapy" dog? We'll keep working on Lola's training, but she won't be mature enough until she's at least two.
Good start to my morning!