1st Month of BFF

What’s it like giving your child a BFF? What difference does it make to the rest of the family? And, what have we learned from William’s BFF?

When a child has special abilities, life tends to revolve around the needs of that child. For some kids that may mean therapy both at home and at a therapy facility (for us, that’s Cincinnati Children’s hospital) - speech and OT. Various medical appointments - William sees his pediatrician (Dr. Debbie, who we love), ENT, & Endocrinology. We’re lucky that William has limited medical involvement.

Kids with special abilities often have difficulties making and keeping friends for whatever reason. Parents may shy away from going to someone else’s home since that home may have breakables and may not be special kid proof. For us that may mean our friend’s home is on a main street or lacks door/window alarms. People - especially kids - love to come up to Pumpkin and ask (ok, most of the time they ask) if they can pet her. We defer the question to William since she is his best friend. It gives us a chance to talk about service dogs and their many abilities and how she serves William.

Since Pumpkin has entered our lives things have changed - for the better. In just the month since we’ve been home from training we’ve been able to go places that were not possible before Pumpkin.

Our stress level has decreased tremendously. When we are out in public, William holds a short leash (1 foot) and is tethered to Pumpkin. Pumpkin is very good at keeping track of “her boy”. If he stops, she will let us (the handler know). If he tries to take off, Pumpkin just keeps encouraging him to stay with her.

Pumpkin has already shown us that she can track William when he decides to “escape” either indoors or outdoors. For her, it’s a game! For William, his best friend has found him! For us, she’s a lifesaver!

William is also learning responsibility. William is the one to let Pumpkin in and out (fenced back yard) to “go potty”. He feeds her and gives her water. William assists in daily grooming. He practices commands with her. It is amazing to see the bond that is developing between these best friends forever.

Service dog and boy - it’s a good thing!