Autism therapy dogs

A friend of mine asked for help today for a nursing project. He wanted more information on the use of therapy dogs for children with Autism.

Here are some helpful links I found:

Joey's doc's site:
http://www.melmedcenter.com/AnimalAssistedTherapy

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/giving/11DOGS.html

http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/faqs/

http://sangayglass.hubpages.com/hub/Mutts-in-Medicine-Autism-Therapy-Dogs

Some research:
http://autism.healingthresholds.com/research/challenges-service-dog-ownership-families-autistic-children-lessons-veterinary-practitioner

http://www.researchautism.net/autism_treatments_therapies_intervention.ikml?print&ra=55&infolevel=3

http://www.theautismeducationsite.com/2011/03/25/service-dogs-and-autism-by-temple-grandin/

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/10/20/service-dogs-autism-stress/10792/

Some days, I wish I could just be "Mom"

Feeling overwhelmed by work, there are days, like today, where I could just be "Mom." yes, we need my paycheck, with my husband taking an almost $50k pay cut just to come home from Seattle. But lately, I've been feeling like I've bitten off more than I can chew. I want to help families of children with Autism - that is the whole reason I went back to school - but the road to my BCBA exam is proving almost as exhausting as grad school.

I will admit, I am jealous at times of the Moms that get to sit at home while their husbands are at home and all their kids are at school. But I also wonder if they fill fulfilled, knowing that their greatest accomplishment that day might just be finishing the laundry.

Don't get me wrong, there are many SAHMs that are super moms; but I also know my fair share of the lazy ones, who, much like our society, feel they are entitled to sit on their asses because they gave birth once or twice.

I know I am still new to the consultant role but I will eventually get to a point where things become easier to me I meet all deadlines with ease, and most importantly, I am Super Mom to my wonderful little boy.

Hamster Babies!

On August 20th, we got Fluffy, a male dwarf hamster. On September 3rd, we got Fire, a female dwarf hamster. About an hour ago, we noticed our hamsters have company! Fire must have given birth because we noticed 2 baby hamsters crawling around. We did some research and the babies must be 10 days old because they have fur and are starting to navigate their cage. Our little fur family is growing. We're gonna need more cages.

Joey is enjoying his hamsters and is being responsible by taking care of them. I can't wait until he gets home from his Dad's house to see and name our new additions.

Thought of the day: happiness

The importance of being happy can sometimes be negated. We must be an example of what we want our children to be. We can't model misery and expect that our kids will have better. How will they know what better is? If you want "better" for your kids, model it or they will repeat history.

9/11/11

I cannot believe 10 years have past. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to be on one of those planes, or on one of those top floors, praying that someone saves you but realizing you will never see your loved ones again. I can't imagine kissing Bryan goodbye before work & then never having a piece of him to bury. Or being on a plane, headed for the towers, knowing that I would never feel Joey's little cheek pressed against mine. Or how my parents would have felt, being at Ground Zero, with a picture of me, asking if anyone knew if I made it out alive. We must never forget.

Great day in 1st grade!

Joey got 100% on his first phonogram quiz! We studied everyday for it! He also got 100% on 2 math worksheets (12/12)! I am so happy and excited about his progress, success, and all the great things that are yet to come in 1st grade. I have to admit that I was a little worried after curriculum night last night but now I'm excited about how much he will learn and grow. I'm also pretty happy that when I asked my cousin about the 1st grade curriculum in NY before we went into the curriculum night meeting, a lot of it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Once we reviewed the curriculum, I was happy to realize there were a lot of similarities.

So proud of my big boy!

1st Day of 1st Grade...will we survive?

The 1st day if 1st grade was rough! We have been prepping for this day all summer, telling Joey how great school was going to be this year, and what a big boy he is. Our comments and attempts to build him up were met with "I don't need 1st grade," "Staying at the heavy house all day long makes me happy," and "I'm 10 times smarter than both of you."

Bryan was able to go in late so he could join us on the journey to school. He was in Seattle last year so he definitely wanted to be a part of it. I'm not sure if that was a good or bad thing. I had too many emotions to worry about soothing that morning: Bryan's anxiousness, Joey'a anxiety, and my sorrow as another milestone was fast approaching and I wasn't ready for it.

The walk was long and sweaty, thanks to the 116 degree weather but we trudged through it. Getting him into class, making sure we filled the picture quota, and getting him settled at his desk happened all to quickly. And why were almost all of the other children already seated? Did their super parents feel the need to out-do everyone else and get them 20 minutes before the bell? Being someone that is always running behind, I was pissed that I was early (a few minutes before the bell) and I was still made to feel like we were late. Can't I catch a break?:)

I was forced to give him a peck and leave abruptly, as teachers are always doing their job by trying to make "goodbyes" swift and painless. And then it happened. Two little hands reached out and grabbed my forearm. And I heard the words I hate to hear: "Don't leave me. Stay here." My heart broke as I said goodbye, pried his fingers off my forearm, and turned to leave.

It's going to be a long year.