tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71044050646614116372024-03-16T11:09:57.623+10:00Raising My Little Superheroes Join us on our journey through life with Autism. Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-10490905410654340422024-02-10T12:28:00.002+10:002024-02-10T12:28:16.747+10:00Communication<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRe-ZIjsUUokvDcJi9-lX4zfwlDSWjIRxi_Nf6nZzBA1NqN8X8LGvsw7uMlyztBpSZf06ILfSTJuL2Ru5SgT0T-wx-SurxbGVVny2bUbumWXyrzzs_AhZ9JBArrM-Tq7IvgrBDyEq5BpShoKX0sAc-_qD3_cehkjCnjUpnHAklbWKs1Jr6e3JZO0B/s1234/Screenshot_20240210_122452_Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRe-ZIjsUUokvDcJi9-lX4zfwlDSWjIRxi_Nf6nZzBA1NqN8X8LGvsw7uMlyztBpSZf06ILfSTJuL2Ru5SgT0T-wx-SurxbGVVny2bUbumWXyrzzs_AhZ9JBArrM-Tq7IvgrBDyEq5BpShoKX0sAc-_qD3_cehkjCnjUpnHAklbWKs1Jr6e3JZO0B/s320/Screenshot_20240210_122452_Instagram.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><p>How do Assistance Dogs communicate with our hoomans when we need them to pay attention to us?</p><p>Through our actions and at times barking!</p><p>When my boi runs away, I bark once and then sit and wait for my family to give me the command to track my boi.</p><p>When I see my boy hurting himself, I begin nuzzling him to redirect him to me. Sometimes I just go and lay on my boi!</p><p>I even go and nudge my boi, and my mum, with my nose when I sense that they need a break.</p><p>And my intelligent disobedience skills are paw-some! There are times when I know better, so I will not obey a command and make my boi doing something else instead. One day I saw my boy walking towards a road, so I dragged my Mum towards him and then pushed my boi back onto the footpath.</p><p>All Assistance Dogs will communicate with their owners in different ways!</p><p>#teamhenry #henrythehero #teamalaska #autismassistancedogs #assistancedogsaustralia #labradorsofinstagram #assistancedogs #dogsofinstagram #workingdogsofaustralia #assistancedogawareness #workingdogsbooks #assistancedogsofinstagram #educatingfamilies #inspireyoungminds #inspiringyoungminds #readgrowinspire #childrensliteracy </p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-51250802215748170652023-12-27T20:30:00.002+10:002023-12-27T20:30:33.167+10:002023 Christmas Countdown<p>Christmas Countdown with Alaska and Henry!</p><p>In the lead up to Christmas, we participated in the daily prompts that In Paws We Trust were posting.</p><p>#teamhenry #henrythehero #teamalaska #autismassistancedogs #assistancedogsaustralia #labradorsofinstagram #assistancedogs #dogsofinstagram #workingdogsofaustralia #assistancedogawareness #workingdogsbooks #assistancedogsofinstagram #educatingfamilies #inspireyoungminds #inspiringyoungminds #readgrowinspire #childrensliteracy</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="990" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkCTLUzOBo4jtYhRTqfsumXEi2DKWPdQg3-2Z-gu5ESwpow0dx9KdR9h0vtrevRIZCURxTw6rtKaOBynMNLBDN_n2Ij1zJNqQgxrPrWMfSr5BRaaD_XVZH5u5-QFtOKCoiLgJpeZnDyUl_3jOOCRxqNKMscG-xnDtNC6c4vjInQjj86D-b-FzwQkz/s320/1703504544962.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-74414474763717494152023-10-16T19:31:00.004+10:002023-10-16T19:31:52.204+10:00The Helpie Kelpie!<p style="text-align: center;"> ***Please note that we do not receive commissions of any kind for reviews. We're simply sharing products that we find useful.***</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbmW60jTu_OHQac0W8b7a0KMZeTemjjaBVi8YXhwSisE_WJf-lnQMD99s7-yqWKByWITuXqPDOegh20-FP3WSEyBax_TQ2oDiQCZdt7zcvO2mb2XA-h00scORcUdk4CXhyphenhyphenXJ8jNohd9GkZDTujnc_Y4P3sQCDVDas7P0KPBqEp-LW0iEzRvz-pKNl/s4032/20231011_214536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbmW60jTu_OHQac0W8b7a0KMZeTemjjaBVi8YXhwSisE_WJf-lnQMD99s7-yqWKByWITuXqPDOegh20-FP3WSEyBax_TQ2oDiQCZdt7zcvO2mb2XA-h00scORcUdk4CXhyphenhyphenXJ8jNohd9GkZDTujnc_Y4P3sQCDVDas7P0KPBqEp-LW0iEzRvz-pKNl/s320/20231011_214536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Books, books and more books! Yet another paw-some book landed on our doorstep during the week. A book about a different type of working dog!</p><p>The Helpie Kelpie and the tool thief is written by yet another Australian author, Alicia Case.</p><p>Inca, the Helpie Kelpie and the star of the book, is a rescue Kelpie who goes to work with her Dad on construction sites. As the title suggests, there's a tool thief and Inca is in the right place at the right time.</p><p>So what are O and L's take on the book?</p><p>Me: What do you think about this book?</p><p>L: This is a good story. Inca is very cute and he's a Kelpie like Alaska! That's cool!</p><p>O: This is a really good story. There are so many different types of working dogs, and not just Assistance Dogs. Work sites would have dogs on them.</p><p>L: Uncle Pat is a tradie?</p><p>Me: He sure is.</p><p>L: I wonder if Uncle Pat takes his dogs to work!</p><p>O: You should ask him next time we see them! But this is a really good book. I love that Inca is a real life Kelpie that goes to work with his Dad.</p><p>Me: Who would you recommend this book to?</p><p>O: I think this would be a great book for all children. It introduces the reader to a different kind of working dog, so that's a great thing. We need more books about working dogs so that people become more aware about the roles that they play.</p><p>L: Yep, what Sissy said!</p><p>Me: Out of 5 paws, how many stars would you rate this book?</p><p>L: 5 paws! So many great 5 paw books!</p><p>O: Another 5 paws book!</p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-17654980887251305742023-10-10T20:03:00.001+10:002023-10-10T20:03:07.848+10:00Books, Books and more Books!<p style="text-align: center;"> ***Please note that we do not receive commissions of any kind for reviews. We're simply sharing products that we find useful.***</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcKkdYoI8apJmPRXrPj3xzOe2PEHAV4fWhtJLebndqZ8nEB1fCqYmEw0kdiu83PAo6FbwizrrIuBIlD5hxRR1KaXYwdl7_g6GZuhCjVwnqpzmU3VBYd2GTHNXXbUGjUgCXt2pUrF1FUTQwEzQUOnBCCJ70vlarSKZcNTuU_XctrX4CIZfcCMCC2nr/s4032/20231009_193922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcKkdYoI8apJmPRXrPj3xzOe2PEHAV4fWhtJLebndqZ8nEB1fCqYmEw0kdiu83PAo6FbwizrrIuBIlD5hxRR1KaXYwdl7_g6GZuhCjVwnqpzmU3VBYd2GTHNXXbUGjUgCXt2pUrF1FUTQwEzQUOnBCCJ70vlarSKZcNTuU_XctrX4CIZfcCMCC2nr/s320/20231009_193922.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Books! Did you know that we love books??? Well, we do and we've added another book to our collection of working dog books.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">The Puppy Adventures of Porter and Midge, is written by Jennie Chen and Giselle Nevada.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">While the book isn't about working dogs as such, it gives readers a brilliant introduction to the socialisation of young puppies. The book teaches children how to interact with a puppy, as well as many other important skills both for the puppy and for the family that will benefit the puppies development. From socialisation to dog/animal distraction, to learning how to interact with people and everything in between. The authors do state that the book isn't a training manual but it could certainly sit alongside puppy training books.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">So what are O and L's take on the book?</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">Me: What do you think about this book?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">O: I love the illustrations. They're so bright and colourful. And the information in the book is really good.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">L: Mum, everywhere they take the puppies in the book, that's what we did with Alaska when she was a tiny puppy. Did Henry do that too?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Me: Henry probably did.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">L: Oh. It's a good book and it's easy for me to read. I like the pictures.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">O: The story flows really well and I like how they go into detail about why they're taking the puppies to the different places and environments.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">L: I wonder if the puppies are going to be Assistance Dogs too?</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">Me: That's a great question.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">L: I know.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">Me: Who would you recommend this book to?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">O: Anyone who has children. If families are thinking about getting a puppy, or even a rescue dog, they should read this to their children. All of the information in the book is relevant to people who are new to having a dog as part of their family. It would even be great for families who are going to owner train an Assistance Dog like we're doing with Alaska.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">L: What Sissy said!</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">Me: Out of 5 stars, how many stars would you rate this book?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">L: Maybe we should change it to paws! Normal books we can use stars. Dog books we need to use paws.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Me: Sounds good. How many paws?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">L: 5 paws!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">O: I agree buddy, definitely 5 paws!</span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_231010_195901_960.sdocx--></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-1999909450091366502023-09-09T17:20:00.002+10:002023-09-09T17:20:42.023+10:00Books! Superheroes with Paws!<p style="text-align: center;">**** Please note that we do not receive commissions of any kind for this review. We simply love sharing books that we find useful. ****</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIWNlCr7vYA2C71eFJafRqf-5q6lVyFYnpEd9scK1fCPSmpuTqivaN7L5CBNy7REogfkYJY6QMs0e91tTzZn1l3qjKJ-6YzlljyjI06OtTYnNRVLoDLoxJjshpHKRpaaHY1MgDqdi3A98bJUqWVuxgPxbK_OAUv4JLtMz9zeGHjdU3HJvHJbG-IYO/s1440/IMG_20230909_170629_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIWNlCr7vYA2C71eFJafRqf-5q6lVyFYnpEd9scK1fCPSmpuTqivaN7L5CBNy7REogfkYJY6QMs0e91tTzZn1l3qjKJ-6YzlljyjI06OtTYnNRVLoDLoxJjshpHKRpaaHY1MgDqdi3A98bJUqWVuxgPxbK_OAUv4JLtMz9zeGHjdU3HJvHJbG-IYO/s320/IMG_20230909_170629_300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>There's always excitement in our house when we receive a package, especially when it contains a book! You can never have too many books, right? Well we've added another book to our collection of working dog books.</p><p>Superheroes with Paws, is written by the wonderful Jessica Ten Vaanholt from over <a href="https://instagram.com/childrenstoriesbyjessica?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank">Childrens Stories by Jessica</a>. Jess is yet another home grown Australian author.</p><p>Jessica wrote the story after she was approved to receive her own Assistance Dog. Working in the early childhood education and care industry, Jessica realised the importance of educating children and families about the important roles that all Assistance Dogs play. And a great way to do that is through books!</p><p>It's yet another wonderful, very well written, educational book on the different types of Assistance Dogs and the roles that they play in their owners lives. </p><p>But before we even read the book, this was L's announcement!!</p><p>L: Woah, the dog has a red coat like Henry! And it says Superheroes on the cover. Henry is my superhero! This is the best book already!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAo3QEM6a2T5gbjso_REnoglUkhIINsbWpnx64AJuqAfbUidMQeWtpurU28h7LwfYStuPp2ZMdxDexy98AOU-Fsm92PUtmMGOWVHoAQnG1W1TA_djsVopRnnssRLMM4XiLdRg8jXyJkRePzIOPmOYCVjWtoVpVJh_UxYlkdtEmaxLbDPkZxD-2C-B/s1309/IMG_20230909_170629_390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1309" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAo3QEM6a2T5gbjso_REnoglUkhIINsbWpnx64AJuqAfbUidMQeWtpurU28h7LwfYStuPp2ZMdxDexy98AOU-Fsm92PUtmMGOWVHoAQnG1W1TA_djsVopRnnssRLMM4XiLdRg8jXyJkRePzIOPmOYCVjWtoVpVJh_UxYlkdtEmaxLbDPkZxD-2C-B/s320/IMG_20230909_170629_390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>So what are O and L's take on the book? Read on!</p><p>Me: What is the best thing about the book?</p><p>O: This is amazing, it sounds like Jessica was writing about her own Assistance Dog. Did she get her puppy yet?</p><p>Me: Unfortunately not yet.</p><p>O: Oh that's terrible. But this is an amazing book. Jessica talks about the different types of Assistance Dogs.</p><p>L: There even a Autism dog like Henry!</p><p>O: I love that Jessica talks about the different tasks that the dogs all do.</p><p>L: I like the pictures, there's lots of pictures and they all have red coats like Henry's. All the dogs are superheroes. I love this book. And it's easy for me to read too.</p><p>O: Jessica has even put information in about why reading books are so important, what a great idea.</p><p>L: Can you read it again please?</p><p>Me: We can soon, just a few more questions first?</p><p>L: Seriously? Okay.</p><p>Me: Who would you recommend this book to?</p><p>O: Everyone! This is really cool book. The story is very realistic and informative. There's so much information in this one book. This will definitely help to spread more awareness about Assistance Dogs.</p><p>L: Everyone needs to read it. Maybe we need to start a library on the island so all the people can read about Assistance Dogs. The old people who keep talking to Henry really need to read all of the books. We can put this one and Henrys book and the Dogs with Jobs book, but they can't keep the books. Can we read it now?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5khWGzGCtPdspEcCVNlklyCpBe-MK9u--eExqlZ_Fnd_gBQICav4qIYvEZnkBtGK8YnupYi7upOQ0T7y5NZkNJ5O_MIZKLnhB7CsYalDJCAkxy83BHj_aKsclr0zJaopKem5klluTMoV4WcYSI5-GyzxsAxBK1YNmg5QL_viO4g0GkQgvMlv_DOn6/s1224/IMG_20230909_170629_455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1223" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5khWGzGCtPdspEcCVNlklyCpBe-MK9u--eExqlZ_Fnd_gBQICav4qIYvEZnkBtGK8YnupYi7upOQ0T7y5NZkNJ5O_MIZKLnhB7CsYalDJCAkxy83BHj_aKsclr0zJaopKem5klluTMoV4WcYSI5-GyzxsAxBK1YNmg5QL_viO4g0GkQgvMlv_DOn6/s320/IMG_20230909_170629_455.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Me: One more question then we can read it again. Out of 5 stars, how many stars would you rate this book?</p><p>L: Fine! 5 stars, I think you only buy 5 star books Mummy! We never get a terrible book.</p><p>O: Definitely another 5 star book.</p><p>L: Now can you read it again? And then you can read Henry's book please?</p><p>Me: Sure, thank you for reviewing the book.</p><p>L: Please read now?</p><p>And read it again we did!</p><p>This book would be a great addition to any child's home library.</p><p>And just quietly, how amazing do all four of these books look together!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfZUjqrg7os61hh8rbpZM6uHwXyxt2Z6CHh76sx7ZquKg2K24v4XIVxBXsTkDd_NDap44dKCdyLW_UNZieCUXgv3wB97ZFbMjf8-aoUJKB1JWJKuT-44Fq2RtcahXAtxdvqBRfLl2hJXzyVA7ulXgZ1r0-MvbCfbh98wWwbsoyaSZ5PAw8gzCvlW4/s1161/Screenshot_20230909_165808_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1039" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfZUjqrg7os61hh8rbpZM6uHwXyxt2Z6CHh76sx7ZquKg2K24v4XIVxBXsTkDd_NDap44dKCdyLW_UNZieCUXgv3wB97ZFbMjf8-aoUJKB1JWJKuT-44Fq2RtcahXAtxdvqBRfLl2hJXzyVA7ulXgZ1r0-MvbCfbh98wWwbsoyaSZ5PAw8gzCvlW4/s320/Screenshot_20230909_165808_Gallery.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-2637652322011374412023-09-04T11:49:00.002+10:002023-09-04T11:49:50.404+10:00Books! Dogs with Jobs<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> *** <i>Please note that we do not receive commissions of any form for this review, they are simply products that we find incredibly useful.</i> ***</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireEol3LHrT4celH2C6Nlfb7xp49-OSh94uSPh_NXJu6dpAZZlSCkeNAzZ-o1nqoXrA94Ie95ZinxI9Grpnl9Wga0789J77cr4a7Cp_5N9E40db2chv2uOpvzg6oVtbyp_Rk4brWc_oWPUBzZgOxJEldvvRWO5WwuSsJ7mOit1XHRoOfakGxdznolh/s3024/Dogs%20books%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireEol3LHrT4celH2C6Nlfb7xp49-OSh94uSPh_NXJu6dpAZZlSCkeNAzZ-o1nqoXrA94Ie95ZinxI9Grpnl9Wga0789J77cr4a7Cp_5N9E40db2chv2uOpvzg6oVtbyp_Rk4brWc_oWPUBzZgOxJEldvvRWO5WwuSsJ7mOit1XHRoOfakGxdznolh/s320/Dogs%20books%20001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you haven't realised by now, we love books! You can never have too many books, right?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Earlier this year, I self published a book about Henry and it was after the publication that I realised just how few books there really are that focus on Assistance Dogs. So I am now on a mission to collect as many different books about Assistance Dogs. As you can see from the above photo, our collection is quite small at the moment but we will be adding to it over time.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It has been quite a while since our last book review, so we figured that we would start reviewing our books about dogs collection.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUZ9KX4J399zlXkN8a6iBZlqVXxuZn0Mw_D_pFLedzac42Y7cbTCWmMoS5nXSTExyS2-uwsk3j2aqCUTownq1e4_keOxBD5WCIS-mBBHRovYODmVA9zqgIckQhiBzVfiC1F3Upphb2N27OFs60R8_tYc6XJADs-2qgbvG3Pc7M4vwfkODVjsGQdW6/s4032/dogs%20with%20jobs%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUZ9KX4J399zlXkN8a6iBZlqVXxuZn0Mw_D_pFLedzac42Y7cbTCWmMoS5nXSTExyS2-uwsk3j2aqCUTownq1e4_keOxBD5WCIS-mBBHRovYODmVA9zqgIckQhiBzVfiC1F3Upphb2N27OFs60R8_tYc6XJADs-2qgbvG3Pc7M4vwfkODVjsGQdW6/s320/dogs%20with%20jobs%20001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">First up is Dogs with Jobs 1 and Dogs with Jobs 2!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dogs with Jobs is written by Australian author Natalie Leski and was first published in 2021.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We came across Natalie's first book quite by accident and just had to order a book. When Natalie published her second book in the series this year, we again had to purchase a copy for our collection.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Both books introduce readers to working dogs of all descriptions and the differences between pet dogs and working dogs. Both books also talk about the importance of being respectful towards all working dogs, regardless of if they are Assistance Dogs or other types of working dogs.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So what are O and L's take on the books? Keep reading below!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Me: What is the best thing about these books?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">O: I love both books, there are so many working dogs that people don't know about so it's important that there are more books to educate families. Both of these books have a range of different types of working dogs for people to read about.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">L: I like the pictures, they are very colourful and really look like real working dogs. My favourite picture is Emma because she looks like Henry. And the book is easy for me to read. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe the old people here on the island need to read these books too because they keep saying Henry is a Guide Dog!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Me: Who would you recommend these books to?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">O: Everyone! More awareness and education is needed about Assistance Dogs, People wouldn't, you'd hope that they wouldn't anyway, go and pat a Police Dog while it is working, Yet there are many people who think it is okay to pat an Assistance Dog while it is working. Both have important jobs to do. Both need to be respected.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">L: Same. I don't like it when people just touch Henry without asking first. He is helping me. The old people need to read it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Me: How many stars would you rate both books?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">L: How many stars, I can't remember how many we use!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">O: Let's rate out of 5 stars. I give them both 5 stars!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">L: Me too! And Henry and Alaska love them too!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So definitely great books about working dogs that every home should have! And a 5 star rating to go with them. You can purchase Dogs with Jobs via this <a href="https://dogs-with-jobs-book.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">link</a>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQd2E74xRE3Jc5yYIxmtl-GpmCdbClCYmWbp8B5zsa2sjzjyES_sUUVMoD6fDN0kOa-Z6w17RS5O2qSUPpFGnQElAwO_XZzVkxTome1lB5siaoHPDD6F8v8nyZJbXcQSGB-2Tk59WL-jSQ9KlP_Xj-DwC6Rm73pfi3wEVxxpkgjeZVygxpIBKYkOtB/s4032/dogs%20with%20jobs%20002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQd2E74xRE3Jc5yYIxmtl-GpmCdbClCYmWbp8B5zsa2sjzjyES_sUUVMoD6fDN0kOa-Z6w17RS5O2qSUPpFGnQElAwO_XZzVkxTome1lB5siaoHPDD6F8v8nyZJbXcQSGB-2Tk59WL-jSQ9KlP_Xj-DwC6Rm73pfi3wEVxxpkgjeZVygxpIBKYkOtB/s320/dogs%20with%20jobs%20002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-47955261845859001772023-08-03T10:22:00.005+10:002023-08-03T10:22:59.544+10:00When is Enough Enough?<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I
am going to preface this with a trigger warning. What I have written may
trigger those who have been diagnosed with CPTSD, PTSD or depression. It may
trigger others who aren't yet aware that they have one of the above. If you
feel that talking or reading about PTSD will trigger you, please stop reading
now. If you are triggered by reading this, please reach out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Please
know that I see you, I hear you, I am you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">***************************</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
</span>Several weeks ago, the
Queensland Police Service lost a sister in Blue. Yet another live
lost. The Queensland Police as a whole are hurting.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
<br />
</span>They
say that no job is worth losing your life for. And they, whoever they are, is
absolutely right. No job is worth losing your life over.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>However,
when the Black Dog of Depression takes a grip, it is incredibly difficult to
claw your way out. The grip of panic that the Black Dog has on one's brain,
interferes a great deal with whatever the mind is doing. The grip that the
Black Dog has, causes the old brain (the primal, fight flight freeze response)
to take over and prevents the logical new brain from working in the way that it
should. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">That grip of panic, causes a chronic hyper-vigilance for and hyper-sensitivity to threats - either real or perceived. And unfortunately the trauma
whatever it may be doesn't stay in the past. That trauma imprints on one's mind
and body and that imprint has ongoing consequences.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>Unfortunately
all Emergency Services Australia wide, the world wide in fact, as well as
Defence Forces, medical professions have lost far too many brothers and sisters
to the Black Dog.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
<br />
</span>How
many is too many? When will action be taken? When will the powers to be realise
that more needs to be done in supporting their staff?<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>I
was diagnosed with PTSD towards the end of 2020. My PTSD, recently it has been
advanced up to CPTSD, is a direct result of my policing days aswell as a few
other factors thrown in for good measure. I'm not going to go into the details,
it is hard enough that I relive nightmares over and over on a daily basis, so I
am not going to subject you to these.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>But
thinking back on it, back to 2009, my diagnosis of Post Natal Depression
probably should have been a sign of my PTSD coming to the fore front.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>As
little as eight weeks ago, my CPTSD was triggered and I found myself slipping. So
I reached out in the hope to gain control over the residue of my past trauma.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>Admitting
and acknowledging how consuming my CPTSD and anxiety is, was and still is, an
extremely difficult thing for me to do. Coming to the realisation and
acknowledging that I was also masking all of these things, was an even more
difficult thing to do.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
<br />
</span>I
hid my CPTSD, I hid my Post Natal Depression diagnosis, away for many years
simply because I didn't want people to think of me as vulnerable. I was worried
that I'd be judged by those around me. Judged by people who had been in same
job and were fine. Judged by people who thought they knew better.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>I
hid that I needed, and still need, happy pills to think logically. I have over
the years attempted to wean myself (with my doctors guidance and support) off of
these meds. I now know that these meds are part of my recovery journey.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>Had
I known the prevalence of Post Natal Depression, general depressive disorders,
PTSD, I would have been more open in talking with people.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>I
recently realised just how much I had been masking, and the huge impact that
masking has on my own mental health. I would attempt to pretend that my
struggles didn't exist, even when it felt like I was paddling madly to stay
afloat. I would tell myself that by helping or pleasing others, that I was
putting some good into the world. But by neglecting my own mental health, I was
not helping anyone. I was keeping that mental health stigma alive.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>I
am now acutely aware of what my triggers are (this in itself took a very long
time to determine,) and I try as hard as I can to avoid these triggers, or
remove myself from them. There are instances where this is not possible and
that's where my self care tool kit comes into play.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>Living
with CPTSD, that grip of panic doesn't go away, it becomes easier when equipped
with the correct tools and the right support.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
<br />
</span>The
CPTSD diagnosis reaffirms that I'm not unwell, I'm not weak. It's not that I'm
unable to cope with daily life. My diagnosis confirms that there are external factors that are completely
out of my control that have, and continue to impact me long-term.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>My
mantra that I constantly remind myself is that I can't control or change how
others treat me, or the things that they may say about me. I can change how I
react. By reacting emotionally I am fuelling that behaviour. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">By reacting emotionally,
I am fuelling my own CPTSD. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span>By
taking the control back over my own mental well-being, I am providing my
children with a healthy mental health role model to end the stigma.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
</span>It
takes great courage to recognise and acknowledge, both internally to one's own
mind and externally to family, friends and work colleagues. Please recognise
this as a huge step in an individuals recovery.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br /></span>Please talk
with family, friends and work colleagues. Support one another. Talking with
others, that human connection, the understanding of others, can go a long way
in supporting those who are slipping into that rabbit hole of the Black Dog.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-35253961872684070162023-07-14T12:51:00.001+10:002023-07-14T12:51:07.642+10:00My Epiphany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDEOKBU8qj_tkukNQGfRhwUKchjoAX9d4R434PD2KA6lQF1r-Bf2gmIKKU0n4lA_JN6sqVdeOo3oGwX3LkV_o_8Aa8EAVW8QlguShQMGkH_9nQqRVCLKvOIjq3mKPlHPSS3tkrdw6DcgZrghURGR43DrVj1j8AmDVFN50KBvVqH-tLifHQ8wHY3RI/s2448/mini%20me%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDEOKBU8qj_tkukNQGfRhwUKchjoAX9d4R434PD2KA6lQF1r-Bf2gmIKKU0n4lA_JN6sqVdeOo3oGwX3LkV_o_8Aa8EAVW8QlguShQMGkH_9nQqRVCLKvOIjq3mKPlHPSS3tkrdw6DcgZrghURGR43DrVj1j8AmDVFN50KBvVqH-tLifHQ8wHY3RI/s320/mini%20me%20001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bee is my mini-me. She always has been and most likely, always will be my mini me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">During Bee’s ASD assessment, it honestly felt as though I was discussing my own struggles. I was a very anxious child, teenager, young adult – you get the picture, and at that point I was still on happy pills to settle my own anxiety and ability to completely overthink everything! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was bullied as a child and teenager because I wasn’t like my peers. I always desperately wanted to fit in but simply couldn’t and didn’t know how. I can remember that I used to study my peers social interactions, how they talked, how they dressed, but for the life of me, I still didn’t understand what they were doing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I grew older, I struggled to fit in with the crowd. Social interactions were, and still are, extremely confusing especially if there are several people involved. In crowds, I prefer to stay back and blend in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I broached the subject several times with the professionals who were doing her assessment and was always told "I can spot an Aspie a mile away!" <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn’t pursue a diagnosis myself because other than explaining how I see and experience the world, it really wouldn't benefit me. At that point in time, I wanted to put my efforts into assisting my children on their journey. I wanted them to be equipped with the skills that I didn’t have as a teenager so that life could be a little easier for them. Also at that point in time, three out of four in our family had a diagnosis, that's enough acronyms behind our names!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As time went on, I chose to seek a diagnosis. I was on the path to self-acceptance of who I was, Autism and all. I also realised that like both my children (and Scott,) I too had sensory processing difficulties. The more accepting I was of my own differences, the more my childhood made sense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was Autistic and finally proud of who I was as a person, as a wife and as a parent.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My ASD diagnosis has given me a pathway to understanding and has provided clarity to myself and my struggles as a child, teenager, and even now as an adult. It has opened a window of self-reflection, self-understanding, self-empowerment and self-acceptance of myself. Armed with my ASD diagnosis I am finally able to truly like who I was when I was younger and who I am now. I realised that I had been masking my true authentic Autistic self for majority of my life without even realising what I was doing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My self realisation brought home the glaring fact that girls, when I was in high school, were criminally under diagnosed, and they still are to a point. In fact, individuals who don't present with their Autism traits exactly as what is printed in black and white in the DSM-V, are completely overlooked, discarded and at times misdiagnosed. It served as a valuable lesson for myself, of just how easy it was for a girl like myself to slip through the cracks, unnoticed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All through school I didn't stand out as needing assistance but I also didn't blend in with the crowd. As a teenager I found it difficult to make myself understood, as well as understanding others. I had difficulty in navigating and making sense of friendships. This internal struggle made me assume that I was unlikeable to my peers, and that perhaps I needed to think of others needs more than my own. The overwhelming need to fit in with my peers was because I knew that I was supposed to. And I wanted to. I would observe and study my peers from a distance, and then attempt to imitate them. But that would usually back fire on me because when the social dynamics became more complex I was completely lost literally and figuratively. I'd be so lost sorting through the social interaction files in my brain, that I'd lose track of the social interaction itself. This then resulted in the mimicking and reflecting peer group behaviour and mannerisms becoming even more difficult. It was a loop that I was stuck in and for the life of me, I could not find my way out.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was happiest cruising the library, hiding in the science section - science was and still is one of my intense interests. I didn’t enjoy the loneliness but when I was alone, I was out of sight from those around me. Then when I was noticed cruising the library, the bullying would begin. So then an empty classroom became my Sanctuary. I'm sure the teachers knew I was in the classroom, desperately trying to camouflage myself against a back corner, away from the view of my peers. But nothing was ever said, until I was noticed by other students. Then it was back to cruising the library. I'd created a circuit of safe areas where I could hide. The thought of being discovered in my safe areas, caused my undiagnosed anxiety to be even more debilitating.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From as young as I can remember I have always been an over thinker and over analyser! And I'm sure it is something that I will always do. On a side note, being an over thinker and an over analyser did not, and still doesn't help in any way with deciphering social interactions!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a teenager I assumed, clearly incredibly wrongly, that social interactions would become easier to navigate as I grew older. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When I told people that I was Autistic, the dismissals were thrown at me extremely fast. I was told that I couldn't be Autistic because I make eye contact. I was told that I was too successful in my chosen careers to be Autistic. Someone told me that I wasn't Autistic enough to be Autistic. Apparently I was too articulate in my communication to be Autistic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have been asked do I wish I knew as a child that I was Autistic. The answer is a very definite yes. I would have been able to create support strategies for myself. I could have connected with like minded people. Would it have stopped the bullying? Probably not, but at least I would have known that I wasn't the odd one out.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-AU" style="color: black; line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Being a late diagnosed Autistic adult is truly eye opening, It hasn’t changed who I am or any other aspect of my life. It has changed how I view myself. I now allow myself to have moments where I do feel overwhelmed by external sensory inputs and I now know that I'm not being over reactive - it is who I am.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-41746159599053229782023-05-18T11:32:00.001+10:002023-06-18T11:35:44.406+10:00☆ Two years of Henry ☆<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1zy4b8ausOVfLCSlKVqCwY1Or7YibensWAUjo9fF1qrvmg15VBHLuqEM2cssyYvO7nO2fRraW9Je9YFj7h8GdhFjkB6UJIbpfr1_65u9LZKfQKhDeo7i79aSWiaAhWCcsT5PwH_JN8x_bTjb58EbZl_QJ6jX1YUdJGBU_2LlBrqc-Avh-bpdXg/s1080/two%20years%20of%20henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1zy4b8ausOVfLCSlKVqCwY1Or7YibensWAUjo9fF1qrvmg15VBHLuqEM2cssyYvO7nO2fRraW9Je9YFj7h8GdhFjkB6UJIbpfr1_65u9LZKfQKhDeo7i79aSWiaAhWCcsT5PwH_JN8x_bTjb58EbZl_QJ6jX1YUdJGBU_2LlBrqc-Avh-bpdXg/s320/two%20years%20of%20henry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">☆<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Two years of Henry </span>☆</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It
really doesn't feel like two years ago that Henry joined our family. It
honestly feels like he's been here forever!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
amazing boy has changed L's life and has helped him out in so many ways </span>❤️</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From
developing L's emotional regulation skills, to helping L communicate when he's
overwhelmed, to his very deep pressure laps and overs, disrupting behaviours
and everything in between.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We
still have before Henry and after Henry moments, and the after Henry moments
far exceed our expectations of just how a task specific trained assistance dog
would help L.</span></span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-39703462450236489962023-05-17T11:36:00.002+10:002023-06-18T20:00:13.452+10:00Memories<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRfdq2Onv0Vo6fS30rua31N-oWjTCtYK234d61b7KlylPR_MIxbPbjm1KV8NHUqR0B7583N8FJA7dFvFKsC_RZSZVJuBreehl7hxyRyDjOg816_VPF8EqICtrb2jxNRlPAWBjKVYP2cVBDqMYx7FR6JUYXek0XuhfsVC9SJbDnJJqdPf9zIurEQ/s1080/FB_IMG_1687051782486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRfdq2Onv0Vo6fS30rua31N-oWjTCtYK234d61b7KlylPR_MIxbPbjm1KV8NHUqR0B7583N8FJA7dFvFKsC_RZSZVJuBreehl7hxyRyDjOg816_VPF8EqICtrb2jxNRlPAWBjKVYP2cVBDqMYx7FR6JUYXek0XuhfsVC9SJbDnJJqdPf9zIurEQ/s320/FB_IMG_1687051782486.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
was in my memories from 2017. How amazing that 6 years later, we have Henry for
L.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our
old pup Ruby always instinctively knew how to help both kids, without any task
specific training.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'd
completely forgotten about this interaction at cubs with the assistance when we
lived in Perth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Six
years on, and Henry has made such a huge positive impact on L </span><span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">❤️</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-72816772247955274762023-04-30T11:37:00.001+10:002023-06-18T19:58:25.981+10:00Not a service dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DhPmHQkxlTe75AEe2JLaxDG6rYTkAwfHBDan-1QwKGVAp0Eq2LHyJAkQ-fVmOFIVwdT9ns5Cq6dUsZARTJIAB-pHfxetiiQSc3rQeunrmer4K5pFsDHvm4M-4M4HcKJe7riIukAyvpHuikvmTWEiJ-yry7TudZcO59Gs1-OW0oUtvbyyfmEo6g/s1035/FB_IMG_1687051855231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1035" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DhPmHQkxlTe75AEe2JLaxDG6rYTkAwfHBDan-1QwKGVAp0Eq2LHyJAkQ-fVmOFIVwdT9ns5Cq6dUsZARTJIAB-pHfxetiiQSc3rQeunrmer4K5pFsDHvm4M-4M4HcKJe7riIukAyvpHuikvmTWEiJ-yry7TudZcO59Gs1-OW0oUtvbyyfmEo6g/s320/FB_IMG_1687051855231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>"Oh they're service dogs. That's so sad, they can't interact with anyone..."</p><p>Yes, that was said to my hoomans this morning. Twice. And my mum who is usually very polite, couldn't help herself but respond to them!</p><p class="MsoNormal">It is true, as a working dog (not a service dog, as in Australia that term applies to police and other emergency service, as well as defence force dogs,) we're not supposed to interact with other animals or hoomans when we're working. We have to stay focused on our hoomans so that we can alert to changes that we detect and task.</p><p class="MsoNormal">But when we're out of coat, we do interact with others. It's called a healthy work life balance. We have plenty of downtime to just be puppers.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-1500784804192244852023-03-31T11:38:00.010+10:002023-06-18T19:54:30.335+10:00The Red Step!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixv9XhdMwNmfZirjkJ1u2hQToljehAfmLJzh0rWeHbnd3tr5WzXEtOt6mLoNOmesjWShGB6JHi3JFZG4TD2UHXJlWKa0fiIJmNmEzzJsSdR7_S0OvK1qwazAaxDL-PDAP1Yp_OVSLfuJaoILkVrk4ny7kJoGT5Ad6BwZB6sqEFzJCHt_m4_98cqw/s1080/FB_IMG_1687051936824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixv9XhdMwNmfZirjkJ1u2hQToljehAfmLJzh0rWeHbnd3tr5WzXEtOt6mLoNOmesjWShGB6JHi3JFZG4TD2UHXJlWKa0fiIJmNmEzzJsSdR7_S0OvK1qwazAaxDL-PDAP1Yp_OVSLfuJaoILkVrk4ny7kJoGT5Ad6BwZB6sqEFzJCHt_m4_98cqw/s320/FB_IMG_1687051936824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>See that red step? That was the cause of loads of laughter tonight at Holt Bolt, and all because of the instruction that was given to L.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Coach ... L, I want you to jump on that step 10 times.</p><p class="MsoNormal">So what did L do, he climbed up onto the step and started to jump on it 10 times.</p><p class="MsoNormal">But that wasn't what the coach meant!</p><p class="MsoNormal">As soon as L started jumping, coach realised that he needed to be a little more specific. He wanted L to do box jumps onto the step!!</p><p class="MsoNormal">L was still correct in what he did, he was following the instructions very literally!!</p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-17382089769314092092023-03-01T17:21:00.001+10:002023-06-18T11:21:15.391+10:00Team Alaska<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToy_aVbRUMlK0nhNiGpgnpPYqy2QnVLEblvuhbpWN2snMTrWbhttEn0Mstwk2zR0fH87Kx6CmTakt4iXnFCNf7FCc0UE9g0sRiGzSJIW1bSH79nkTqI3GtTD-7FOAAv3L7V4pYEn1Wyxteo_YzzJ0VhuxN-78SgFokD9qOf1zw_QcOxaZVEivog/s4032/20230218_160154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToy_aVbRUMlK0nhNiGpgnpPYqy2QnVLEblvuhbpWN2snMTrWbhttEn0Mstwk2zR0fH87Kx6CmTakt4iXnFCNf7FCc0UE9g0sRiGzSJIW1bSH79nkTqI3GtTD-7FOAAv3L7V4pYEn1Wyxteo_YzzJ0VhuxN-78SgFokD9qOf1zw_QcOxaZVEivog/w150-h200/20230218_160154.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZZouJjNpRnDqR8F3Nwnk5LNNOcw5K6mt4auFLbGV6dgo4w0Uvx7wEzsqPlXEnzH4-N1P7zmVbKxHJ4xHuNy0j7TCTzjyoz-NKAHbitEIHZoJXKY7kFmZRsI25C65ycxqytOXV8KtPhvf_BqOkxoTpFP2cZmoCUFFwe5qdWt_JmLtjuxRDHV9Dw/s4032/20230218_160203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZZouJjNpRnDqR8F3Nwnk5LNNOcw5K6mt4auFLbGV6dgo4w0Uvx7wEzsqPlXEnzH4-N1P7zmVbKxHJ4xHuNy0j7TCTzjyoz-NKAHbitEIHZoJXKY7kFmZRsI25C65ycxqytOXV8KtPhvf_BqOkxoTpFP2cZmoCUFFwe5qdWt_JmLtjuxRDHV9Dw/w150-h200/20230218_160203.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Excuse the dodgy photos! This may not look like much, but this is Alaska alerting me that something is amiss. She was jumping up next to me, having a good sniff, and then tapping my arms. If I ignored her, she'd get up into my face, and would push my arm away until she was sitting on it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What is she alerting for? Not sure, my anxiety and heart rate were a little high, but she was making sure to let me know that I needed to take a break. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alaska has been doing this alerting behaviour since a few weeks after we brought her home. Back then, she wasn't sure what to do, other than tap to alert that something was amiss. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alaska picks on changes in O's, and in this instance, mine, volatile organic compounds. This is a natural behaviour in all dogs, but usually a dog jumping up is not a desired behaviour in a pet dog so this behaviour is deterred. For an assistance dog, it is a desired behaviour for alerting tasks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, Alaska alerts O on a daily basis and will lay over O's lap (or like today, on my arms,) or will nudge O's arms and hands away from her body.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The tasking we've trained Alaska to do, the alerts Alaska is doing naturally 🥰</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuxuVPYDccBmE813txbWeYDYaP9YHSsSHBTtamwaY11WPpr93XTU4Shwx6dUuyCQwlIC1jMPjBuPBPR0FKTuFNsj-GyCvRZ8YDy2_Y5SpgqryofeBKLVMcsvi_YcIdgDXc8K7b3tcp4dbMe4IwBUqkg_08rHGfDNJ7lZ_WCL8xpqo2-4poN9ixg/s4032/20230218_160206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuxuVPYDccBmE813txbWeYDYaP9YHSsSHBTtamwaY11WPpr93XTU4Shwx6dUuyCQwlIC1jMPjBuPBPR0FKTuFNsj-GyCvRZ8YDy2_Y5SpgqryofeBKLVMcsvi_YcIdgDXc8K7b3tcp4dbMe4IwBUqkg_08rHGfDNJ7lZ_WCL8xpqo2-4poN9ixg/s320/20230218_160206.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-17623664692152728872023-02-17T11:11:00.000+10:002023-06-18T11:11:48.180+10:00The Yogi Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboINey3DnsCmbIGxasky4EpSf4t2HQOSeZbw28aWFPAyg6yPRSr9wc17Ye5DvehT8tU4qVjuimhV0JIB990aZcdaO_f2Nf5Rs2ZNKraBplmC6zX20PxNUpiP8i6OCxT2-X6na6e3Xek7O5qIgTD4Pn8e1tL3hCwQOhc2k-a2BByGCJcl6l6d05Q/s1440/IMG_20230217_192110_618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboINey3DnsCmbIGxasky4EpSf4t2HQOSeZbw28aWFPAyg6yPRSr9wc17Ye5DvehT8tU4qVjuimhV0JIB990aZcdaO_f2Nf5Rs2ZNKraBplmC6zX20PxNUpiP8i6OCxT2-X6na6e3Xek7O5qIgTD4Pn8e1tL3hCwQOhc2k-a2BByGCJcl6l6d05Q/s320/IMG_20230217_192110_618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This happened this afternoon, presentation of medallions at the annual Animal Therapies Conference.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A little background, the medallion was first presented as an award for showing courage, determination and resilience several years ago at the Animal Therapies Conference. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is now known as the Yogi Award after a PTSD Assistance Dog by the name of Yogi. Yogi was instrumental in literally saving their owner/handlers life, a former Police Sergeant. Yogi, like Henry, did a stint in prison as part of a training program!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Usually there is one Yogi Award recipient. This year, Wendy and the board from Animal Therapies Limited couldn't decide on a winner, so there were six individuals and/or teams who received a medallion for showing Courage, Determination and Resilience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Team Henry were one of those teams, and out of the six recipients, three were young children and their assistance dogs ❤️</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Henry, as you all know, has made the most positive impact on L, as well as on our family ❤️</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This was such an honour for Team Henry.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr-TDIHyDgmweA7B4HMis0eEIhN4gDhijxKbKJqWfGPIi0eU84WVTsjM108bsFgn_dCv4vhz1WtArAMAP4n2VYAHCd5Wk3mXyz0m2OnYuwemgv7e3-tu2UGfdFSk8ndq-bCMVI1mEYsJAo8UpfQ8u8QonXPy3XaUgpOgblS-2T5jsUA1mw-w9vQ/s1440/IMG_20230217_192110_712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr-TDIHyDgmweA7B4HMis0eEIhN4gDhijxKbKJqWfGPIi0eU84WVTsjM108bsFgn_dCv4vhz1WtArAMAP4n2VYAHCd5Wk3mXyz0m2OnYuwemgv7e3-tu2UGfdFSk8ndq-bCMVI1mEYsJAo8UpfQ8u8QonXPy3XaUgpOgblS-2T5jsUA1mw-w9vQ/s320/IMG_20230217_192110_712.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOn2_aAHO5JJKME3bTJgSUSUPA-nHgdo5wPFv6M-StYzU0puOiLCESYG9PXVlVfntR4mmzFzV6fDrWDSEryn00IxnIJFV0XW_7nd_8OWkGlA_oh1JqBTyeydSOfs-s3L2jtTGAOVNwtqJVRB3bm3t3kPKbce6JSGrVf9Jfno5O9befNA6Nqb0_Q/s1114/IMG_20230217_192110_765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1114" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOn2_aAHO5JJKME3bTJgSUSUPA-nHgdo5wPFv6M-StYzU0puOiLCESYG9PXVlVfntR4mmzFzV6fDrWDSEryn00IxnIJFV0XW_7nd_8OWkGlA_oh1JqBTyeydSOfs-s3L2jtTGAOVNwtqJVRB3bm3t3kPKbce6JSGrVf9Jfno5O9befNA6Nqb0_Q/s320/IMG_20230217_192110_765.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaii6WtoCY7qWXe4NqEbt-nlVWGEv8zymh-5nshUYhwqg0el1Juu1y2Ps2PY7LZeKmzysvxBQh4g9anbQN44klhQzmIVTA1albPcbg-Ti_cgDePK9ZGkub9_NmF-4tHwdCGLaL4igrFTvSruoS4d-uATw2bDkiCVa0w8WzWdgrm0T0NZ2p2EFYnw/s1440/IMG_20230217_192110_798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaii6WtoCY7qWXe4NqEbt-nlVWGEv8zymh-5nshUYhwqg0el1Juu1y2Ps2PY7LZeKmzysvxBQh4g9anbQN44klhQzmIVTA1albPcbg-Ti_cgDePK9ZGkub9_NmF-4tHwdCGLaL4igrFTvSruoS4d-uATw2bDkiCVa0w8WzWdgrm0T0NZ2p2EFYnw/s320/IMG_20230217_192110_798.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3a3ZywWUa4cqHoqjPu7LVUfc-Qe4UpO6b-elcaPSG6Bvpd9I97zvU7qgDHL3-1klEmsoMKSwbk32m9qNXhZOQ9PPpQQ96VGUvCUdSRE_yOyPeAb-rOvgqc7MTnp_soywC7GS03fMt3kpVpWSXu7p8jBGug2aH6HHpag6ln4qC5EeXcLkXIxHJg/s1440/IMG_20230217_192110_833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3a3ZywWUa4cqHoqjPu7LVUfc-Qe4UpO6b-elcaPSG6Bvpd9I97zvU7qgDHL3-1klEmsoMKSwbk32m9qNXhZOQ9PPpQQ96VGUvCUdSRE_yOyPeAb-rOvgqc7MTnp_soywC7GS03fMt3kpVpWSXu7p8jBGug2aH6HHpag6ln4qC5EeXcLkXIxHJg/s320/IMG_20230217_192110_833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY1o8GY51Nx67V6PyIPZedekRI9dSSmAtqdRRCTa2fQO_oCr5uDSNAYNQ79Cq30yI_x9gBf1rMLiDoWHhVegU9Ac7HpU5FBRixtpjPowFuw2s_r9lff-o_7jHvTyEperk9YWIVzTCPmEcIvlnsBQN216SWY-dzOE81d8NtgU-QIcwicdmvKkQWQ/s1290/IMG_20230217_192110_870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY1o8GY51Nx67V6PyIPZedekRI9dSSmAtqdRRCTa2fQO_oCr5uDSNAYNQ79Cq30yI_x9gBf1rMLiDoWHhVegU9Ac7HpU5FBRixtpjPowFuw2s_r9lff-o_7jHvTyEperk9YWIVzTCPmEcIvlnsBQN216SWY-dzOE81d8NtgU-QIcwicdmvKkQWQ/s320/IMG_20230217_192110_870.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-13326994060652296622023-02-03T08:00:00.001+10:002023-02-04T08:58:08.773+10:00The Yogi Awards: Team Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfgCAFVcF5LqmUvVxSEiUsl7cv7fMfGXrygr_u7SfkQP7XPxesA3yG4EyBBIJ9lbzNBozATZ_djPsBZuOmjowfS6fIDQditEpWP-X69ZYmtNIjmaqwq3fX-RRVcrUR2gPjL1ZV-Qj7b9B4akpKdd3aZBVDT7Y0VADwUhxTXa6ACChkmE135NDJA/s1080/Screenshot_20230203_181348_Facebook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1080" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfgCAFVcF5LqmUvVxSEiUsl7cv7fMfGXrygr_u7SfkQP7XPxesA3yG4EyBBIJ9lbzNBozATZ_djPsBZuOmjowfS6fIDQditEpWP-X69ZYmtNIjmaqwq3fX-RRVcrUR2gPjL1ZV-Qj7b9B4akpKdd3aZBVDT7Y0VADwUhxTXa6ACChkmE135NDJA/s320/Screenshot_20230203_181348_Facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">What an exciting start to 2023 for Team Henry! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Late last week we received an email that said that not only had Team Henry, aka Henry and L, had been nominated for the Yogi Award, but also that they were receiving a medallion for Courage, Resilience and Determination. In other words they are being awarded the Yogi Award!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Yogi Award is an annual award that is run by <a href="https://animaltherapies.org.au/atl-conference/" target="_blank">Animal Therapies Limited</a>. The award recognises the power that human animal interactions have in the journey to greater wellbeing for the human member of the team. The award recognises the courage, resilience and determination that the team displays every day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This year the award is going to be presented at the 2023 Animal-Assisted Services Conference here in Brisbane.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To say that we're super proud of Team Henry is an under statement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Henry is just amazing and L has come so far with Henry by his side. L shows Courage, Resilience and Determination every single day.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Usually there is only one overall winner of the Yogi Award, however this year we will be sharing the spotlight with another young assistance dog team - Team Whoopi and his child Erika-Bela.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">So very proud right now ❤️❤️</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNdc6g5Eyr0ogKDTQOGnROuu3_vMMAp_xCfI_8zA2rduGpfiJFfVBx8X7cMD6bawo8ZqGjZ3cP44-snoE7IUm2UK7NE9GvzKz5VCXQl-z9fi1UBP60kZ5XXgcwa3ychqih7zTGOMY_1gt8O_gOecbg2ySwJcHDR-KVPgw_i2LuZZW2d5AObVdgw/s945/IMG_20230202_153114_175.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="945" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNdc6g5Eyr0ogKDTQOGnROuu3_vMMAp_xCfI_8zA2rduGpfiJFfVBx8X7cMD6bawo8ZqGjZ3cP44-snoE7IUm2UK7NE9GvzKz5VCXQl-z9fi1UBP60kZ5XXgcwa3ychqih7zTGOMY_1gt8O_gOecbg2ySwJcHDR-KVPgw_i2LuZZW2d5AObVdgw/s320/IMG_20230202_153114_175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-16718421752761245362023-01-10T09:00:00.015+10:002023-02-04T09:48:59.309+10:00Assistance Dogs 101: Intelligent Disobedience<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42NtqQBCowGiXYcO32gbLX_G_knA6nCuRbJE-v6ovqqJJ_llvP5PF74n1DhzeqL6CLP5Pmv0Sqx9Sn8TrT1LxuJh4XwrseOExmQ9sDp7TCXbE26X-w-p1amvekHeLCAqTVTOKOoHqTEklCFdm8QgVlA1T_c7akNezKhnDhE-mXvUGd2F6FRFT_w/s320/henry%20101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="209" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42NtqQBCowGiXYcO32gbLX_G_knA6nCuRbJE-v6ovqqJJ_llvP5PF74n1DhzeqL6CLP5Pmv0Sqx9Sn8TrT1LxuJh4XwrseOExmQ9sDp7TCXbE26X-w-p1amvekHeLCAqTVTOKOoHqTEklCFdm8QgVlA1T_c7akNezKhnDhE-mXvUGd2F6FRFT_w/s1600/henry%20101.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Now you've probably read the title of this post and thought, what on earth is that? How can an assistance dog be disobedient and intelligent at the same time????</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>Well, it's quite an amazing skill for an assistance dog to develop. At times, while an assistance dog is work mode, there are some skills, commands or tasks that we may not want the dog to obey. A really great example is a </span><span>Guide Dog - they are trained in intelligent disobedience during their intense training before being placed. If the dog is given an unsafe command from their handler, for example to walk out onto a busy road, they are taught to disobey the command.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When a dog is taught intelligent disobedience they are taught to use their own judgement and not respond to the command or cue given by their handler if it is not safe to do so, ie: walking out into oncoming traffic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In terms of cognitive thinking, an assistance dog who is taught an intelligent disobedient skill is using their cognitive behaviour and/or as they are thinking from their handlers perspective. An assistance dog, such as a guide dog, could easily obey the command and walk into oncoming traffic, but from the handlers perspective this is quite dangerous. The dog is able to understand this and interpret the environment around it at that given time.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR2t205vbryeipXSw1WnoDr3Xk-HinRgwOsfue03bSJ0yuE0rjGC1GDEPmja34xNJUsQmq4a2t6ABcw0MYTar55-GhNaXONo34TzbiAsW6CVngyB_OZaytpKU3ejmgYZdFcaoU7Os_5nDTJGbFDjzGEWUeRhdSxQlUjr01c9qhP-3IyzQVJ7rOg/s960/Henry%20brakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR2t205vbryeipXSw1WnoDr3Xk-HinRgwOsfue03bSJ0yuE0rjGC1GDEPmja34xNJUsQmq4a2t6ABcw0MYTar55-GhNaXONo34TzbiAsW6CVngyB_OZaytpKU3ejmgYZdFcaoU7Os_5nDTJGbFDjzGEWUeRhdSxQlUjr01c9qhP-3IyzQVJ7rOg/s320/Henry%20brakes.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">During Henry's training he was taught an intelligent disobedient skill in that he was taught to <a href="https://www.raisingmylittlesuperheroes.com/2021/07/assistance-dog-101-grounding.html">ground himself when sitting at the edge of a road</a>. As L holds his own leash that is attached to Henry, if L went to walk off without Henry being given the command to move forward, Henry will ground himself to keep L safe.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">We've witnessed this skill a number of times since Henry was placed with us back in 2021. The most impressive time was when we were on a family outing on the Sunshine Coast. We had just got out of our car and began to explore when L started walking towards the road. Henry pulled myself towards L, then got between L and the road and gently began nudging L back onto the grassed area. All without being given a command.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">More recently we have seen both Henry and Alaska display intelligent disobedient skills, both without being taught.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Late last year we were up at a very large shopping centre with Alaska - it was Henry's day off as he'd had a busy week. Both L and Daddy Superhero were off having haircuts and I was doing some public access training with Alaksa.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Unbeknownst to me, my anxiety levels were rising and Alaska was picking up on the levels. I initially thought that Alaska was misbehaving as as we were walking, she would walk around the front of my body and stop in our path. What Alaska was in fact doing was showing her intelligent disobedience skills be alerting me that I needed to stop and take a break. I found a place to sit and Alaksa immediately lay over my lap to give deep pressure therapy. At the time I didn't realise just how amazing that skill was for Alaska. Now? Wow!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Henry has also shown us his intelligent disobedience skills late last year, While Daddy Superhero was in hospital recovering from his open heart surgery, Henry would regularly push myself, or one of the little superheroes to our couch at home and as soon as we'd sit down. Henry would lay on our laps providing deep pressure therapy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The first occasion that Henry did this to me, I was attempting to give him the command of place, to redirect him to a mat in our lounge room. He was definitely disobeying that command as he recognised that I needed to sit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And if witnessing an assistance dog showing it's intelligent disobedient skills isn't amazing in itself, the intelligent disobedient skills have no effect whatsoever on the dogs willingness to obey commands.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Henry, and Alaska, as well as other assistance dogs seem to readily understand that the refusal response to a command is expected and accepted of them when there is a potential hazard or obstacle in the path. For a dog, that is some really impressive cognitive thinking!</span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-37391057179866666852022-12-16T08:00:00.019+10:002022-12-17T09:03:30.193+10:00Team Alaska!<p><span style="font-size: large;">☆☆☆</span><span style="font-size: large;"> ALASKA IS ONE </span><span style="font-size: large;">☆☆☆</span> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpJLuotmrkTJESeo1VxT1P2UAJcIpcwETWBh68bJkWwYVoOeTVZj3B3hi72FKFaWJYbKSh4NDw9ryWiaHxmcwZy6G7A9-uxmNwGVYIHzP3EVdc-DSo8C1qSy8VSrJWhV6S__LFl6WQL51zy4U5tyZ8hRWy9y2pvGxyoMPRsOjvvauXIkH_0G0Hg/s4032/20221216_180629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpJLuotmrkTJESeo1VxT1P2UAJcIpcwETWBh68bJkWwYVoOeTVZj3B3hi72FKFaWJYbKSh4NDw9ryWiaHxmcwZy6G7A9-uxmNwGVYIHzP3EVdc-DSo8C1qSy8VSrJWhV6S__LFl6WQL51zy4U5tyZ8hRWy9y2pvGxyoMPRsOjvvauXIkH_0G0Hg/s320/20221216_180629.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This
little pupper turns one today. She's a floofball of energy who loves to play
but also loves to work.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While
Henry has been the most amazing Assistance Dog role model and big brother to
Alaska, Alaska has taught Henry how to be a puppy!!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcnBBI-vRjR0ew6i3nPUAj15STCoMBZs2w9N0dgqTiUplzkzrqRrWyKToSu5V7MOmZyfJ5qvilFwpmIeY7Ii3NOJ9ucHStj--XpmW6wch8Rc0GV0PSu76ecVBbJ8LTfJmI_v454nntPeaasuw9SaJiPqxjdJzpDRxP7RuwDppbMQ8sVJpPPwkQA/s1381/Screenshot_20221216_193713_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcnBBI-vRjR0ew6i3nPUAj15STCoMBZs2w9N0dgqTiUplzkzrqRrWyKToSu5V7MOmZyfJ5qvilFwpmIeY7Ii3NOJ9ucHStj--XpmW6wch8Rc0GV0PSu76ecVBbJ8LTfJmI_v454nntPeaasuw9SaJiPqxjdJzpDRxP7RuwDppbMQ8sVJpPPwkQA/s320/Screenshot_20221216_193713_Gallery.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">She's
cheeky when out of coat, but super serious in coat.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Alaska
has already made a huge difference to O. Alaska also regularly alerts myself
and Scott Petrey when we need to take breaks. She's also showing her
intelligent disobedience skills, by stopping O (and us) when she detects
changes in our VOC!!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTu8bdVpJ71CkYq-SeNku-R-AAB3C_IQy-ASjfnGC-4fDDgtCGyuL5v_qVJVFafJ-NCwkAO0Gpf13gCbcX-ubhApqqSf3eVjLOFD62WWv16MIK78GstJD-TW89TVHTCoKv835A2nskxdd4Vyof7fJozHBNVMeTIG_Q2oUGjNAeQs6mFH-ecsRvw/s1259/Screenshot_20221216_195116_Gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTu8bdVpJ71CkYq-SeNku-R-AAB3C_IQy-ASjfnGC-4fDDgtCGyuL5v_qVJVFafJ-NCwkAO0Gpf13gCbcX-ubhApqqSf3eVjLOFD62WWv16MIK78GstJD-TW89TVHTCoKv835A2nskxdd4Vyof7fJozHBNVMeTIG_Q2oUGjNAeQs6mFH-ecsRvw/s320/Screenshot_20221216_195116_Gallery.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
her public access skills are spot on, so the next phase is to make her bomb
proof when we're out and about </span>❤️</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">#teamalaska
#autismassistancedog</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-63565562180267812362022-11-22T08:41:00.015+10:002022-12-17T08:47:49.666+10:00What does brave look like?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqVKoUiVEf94qTDtd1m5gHQVtv-glXDWXHQYhvlGebGFWxiflbCVB2MCMVV3VX8q3HgeY6phyQ_5tJD-MjgtElJIzvISlHP6TGMFmm4h2oh1cjltxV9N42Lr9gPwV_pyFqVgDco33ITgKiMvi9GHrZNCHFqnKkXfiEP8qbCtnnMKFhxRjkzUqdg/s1080/FB_IMG_1671230224557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqVKoUiVEf94qTDtd1m5gHQVtv-glXDWXHQYhvlGebGFWxiflbCVB2MCMVV3VX8q3HgeY6phyQ_5tJD-MjgtElJIzvISlHP6TGMFmm4h2oh1cjltxV9N42Lr9gPwV_pyFqVgDco33ITgKiMvi9GHrZNCHFqnKkXfiEP8qbCtnnMKFhxRjkzUqdg/s320/FB_IMG_1671230224557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">What
does brave look like? This.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Two
little superheroes who are putting one foot in front of the other and getting
back to their usual routines.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">These
two little superheroes have had a couple of huge weeks where they have
experienced every emotion from extreme sadness to extreme happiness and every
emotion in between.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The
first week that Daddy Superhero was in hospital having his life saving (literally) heart surgery, being in ICU, then being transferred onto the cardiac ward was like a
very bad dream and none of us really knew what we were feeling. It was a very
surreal feeling.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Last
week was as difficult as the first week, the reality of just how severe and
life threatening the diagnosis was, hit home in a huge way. As did knowing
that if Daddy Superhero didn't have surgery, our lives could be very different.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Last
week was a "school can't" week. Neither little superheroes or myself
wanted to face the world. We didn't want to people, other than going to visit
our superhero in hospital. They physically couldn't go to school last week,
their anxiety was too high to function outside of our home.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This
week is a "school try" week. Both little superheroes are still coming
to terms with what has happened over the past two weeks. They're both still
talking through their emotions and thoughts. And they're both trying to go back
to school - both schools have been just amazing in providing support to them
and us.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It
may be some time before we get back to our new normal, but we won't give up.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">#autismheroes
#littlesuperheroes #cardiacsurvivor</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-18345610578020581652022-11-12T08:00:00.000+10:002022-11-12T08:00:00.180+10:00Team Henry: Expectation versus Reality - So much more than just an Assistance Dog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjT44wsKTtSNhJ0rzYvHMQ_u344acqBLlTLJI9i9ctwSXkzXmWlVy8w0zYvWsRmjeTpZT9M_AJBstmthS62btU442R8L9bV6cS1cvgpXHxYqvJ6BZ8pBAF1cKUKfYMhcOiR_SA_toIx6R-t8GvOJMJs6Dut_UOIAxPjMKs7adK6fgImuXc0FzFg/s320/team%20henry%20nuzzle%20002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjT44wsKTtSNhJ0rzYvHMQ_u344acqBLlTLJI9i9ctwSXkzXmWlVy8w0zYvWsRmjeTpZT9M_AJBstmthS62btU442R8L9bV6cS1cvgpXHxYqvJ6BZ8pBAF1cKUKfYMhcOiR_SA_toIx6R-t8GvOJMJs6Dut_UOIAxPjMKs7adK6fgImuXc0FzFg/s1600/team%20henry%20nuzzle%20002.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As well as being L's Autism Assistance Dog, Henry assists L in many other ways!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Shopping trips used to be a nightmare for L – the sensory overload from shopping centres is enormous. Now, they are a breeze with Henry by L’s side. Anytime during a shopping trip that L, and at times O, begins to feel overwhelmed, he and Henry find a spot to have lap lays and cuddles. Prior to Henry, shopping trips usually ended in a meltdown. We haven’t had one meltdown while out shopping. Even Christmas shopping was an easy outing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Haircuts. L has naturally curly, think ringlets, hair but due to his sensory processing difficulties, he dislikes his hair being brushed so regular hair cuts are a must. As L doesn’t like people touching his hair or head, hair cuts are a sensory nightmare for him and can take up to a few hours for a simple trim. Now with Henry, a haircut takes less then 20 minutes. Henry is a bit of a hit at the barbers too and no longer munches on the hair treats on the floor!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH6X-SG-xhNMKf7iOiSBbvngpF83rn60tslw9mp-a64WqWTZKyIkoxvHym0V92MzvzFuiMIiZTxFwSoTaDSt196aopEbbM--KV8hlt6xDC6gmrO6PaezH9g8jg8P8my1kJO9hfF4EW5NWE0_uEfucN5furr8cS-dGFZdQgOacBNmPnucgfLfEmA/s3024/IMG_20221025_082102_702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGH6X-SG-xhNMKf7iOiSBbvngpF83rn60tslw9mp-a64WqWTZKyIkoxvHym0V92MzvzFuiMIiZTxFwSoTaDSt196aopEbbM--KV8hlt6xDC6gmrO6PaezH9g8jg8P8my1kJO9hfF4EW5NWE0_uEfucN5furr8cS-dGFZdQgOacBNmPnucgfLfEmA/s320/IMG_20221025_082102_702.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Hospital and medical appointments. Even though we are on a first name basis with the medical staff at four emergency departments, L struggles with hospital visits and medical appointments in general. Henry has been a godsend and each time we’ve had an appointment or a visit to the emergency department, L has been able to stay calm. He still reverted to being non-verbal, but he was calm.<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM9HZNOqY_aT-Bx7jTAbpLwsSz4tgUflukFnQ79zWP_tHCxq32eNlkIwts6niAAq4CQE5O4ahHEqxlq_W6jFiQwUJ-3p2r3gYPdz3Xv3rrPnJrdkYUDdeqkxTMmxvzrSmhDYXpi1fWGXbkpyu0nI24cmhrhMkI_Ps3hn3znwLeafNzvlbpQe89Q/s1440/team%20henry%20nuzzle%20001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM9HZNOqY_aT-Bx7jTAbpLwsSz4tgUflukFnQ79zWP_tHCxq32eNlkIwts6niAAq4CQE5O4ahHEqxlq_W6jFiQwUJ-3p2r3gYPdz3Xv3rrPnJrdkYUDdeqkxTMmxvzrSmhDYXpi1fWGXbkpyu0nI24cmhrhMkI_Ps3hn3znwLeafNzvlbpQe89Q/s320/team%20henry%20nuzzle%20001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Lockdowns, isolation and flooding! Well, what can I say. The last few years have been a challenge for everyone. The first few lockdowns prior to Henry were a real struggle. But having Henry to help L, and O, to self regulate has been awesome. So far, because goodness knows what is going to happen in the future, we have been through one covid lockdown, three covid isolation periods and the February flooding, with no meltdowns. Henry is so super calm, that he causes both little superheroes to remain calm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Family outings have always been tricky for both little superheroes. Prior to Henry being placed, our family outings wouldn’t last more then a few hours and they were usually to the same places so that both kids wouldn’t become too overwhelmed. If we were even thinking of going to a new place, we would have to give both kids at least a weeks notice so that we could prepare them for the outing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28jbpeMi8UBQTvxyHuJExTGh_PzaEeFAqMOBkSqeetsJfCB9Xa4XkysHLeoDl66vimjZtQqZ1_V9BFwiyrpw0yQOOSS281CKmS01pHrWXEyoi95Rs_17w1zoMe7nBKrawFW1H1Y-X9gCvaA9zJmO48GTtibZ76HGMPC--CmEUOpV1uCU5O74SGw/s2048/PhotoGrid_1652823459225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28jbpeMi8UBQTvxyHuJExTGh_PzaEeFAqMOBkSqeetsJfCB9Xa4XkysHLeoDl66vimjZtQqZ1_V9BFwiyrpw0yQOOSS281CKmS01pHrWXEyoi95Rs_17w1zoMe7nBKrawFW1H1Y-X9gCvaA9zJmO48GTtibZ76HGMPC--CmEUOpV1uCU5O74SGw/s320/PhotoGrid_1652823459225.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Since Henry, our family outings have become much easier, more frequent and have become longer. We’ve become more adventurous and have visited places that we haven’t been to previously. We’ve done a few surprise outings, which we could not have done prior to Henry being placed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOoTT6PPxaZZ5FsfI8eqQgjfWWHD3W1m5ude5j8mCC--rfBr_PMeaGLVUJ2uGwCBiMZ2KEQeibo7VE8Q5Y5GulKHh85lI9spt7eYfTe9xwss2FsxK23_8_HdL7_RMZNh2ERCodUNt3B3cdtLpAbzyFsWlnkwGDr_ceABI6HS2Ni5oAHVXlOgncw/s756/seaworld%200012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="352" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOoTT6PPxaZZ5FsfI8eqQgjfWWHD3W1m5ude5j8mCC--rfBr_PMeaGLVUJ2uGwCBiMZ2KEQeibo7VE8Q5Y5GulKHh85lI9spt7eYfTe9xwss2FsxK23_8_HdL7_RMZNh2ERCodUNt3B3cdtLpAbzyFsWlnkwGDr_ceABI6HS2Ni5oAHVXlOgncw/w93-h200/seaworld%200012.jpg" width="93" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9WzDba6jYdQlf8sKKBxCJllHz0842E4Hhqkt8-QRAlVYnin1DKTIvszDtnwgN9QfH-ZeVYztFzmR6Z8L7EYuWcFoYNATHcKt506-Cf8RvKa_sY4HQzKUcxIYbTOhrLFrNgUw8aGT3CnoZzAGVT8sSTszn75HD4W8vgwUfG550d_9yNkDadaopw/s2048/20211127_121457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9WzDba6jYdQlf8sKKBxCJllHz0842E4Hhqkt8-QRAlVYnin1DKTIvszDtnwgN9QfH-ZeVYztFzmR6Z8L7EYuWcFoYNATHcKt506-Cf8RvKa_sY4HQzKUcxIYbTOhrLFrNgUw8aGT3CnoZzAGVT8sSTszn75HD4W8vgwUfG550d_9yNkDadaopw/w150-h200/20211127_121457.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hKIV8KhM59VxSJEL7i8mb6kf5H3erk2a_gK7BT_Qi58b1jphASHQypgfDZ5AvI36Mt90RSy_l3yJh8usoEdxXquz-xyrkQrvw8G86Ato_SdjMjLvBUb2eaCnWaTCGxk76wDcYQAT3Ok2GcNPVF6maSWnBZh951DFZtn97SJdI_vKkdwWtPvLew/s2048/20211127_111707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hKIV8KhM59VxSJEL7i8mb6kf5H3erk2a_gK7BT_Qi58b1jphASHQypgfDZ5AvI36Mt90RSy_l3yJh8usoEdxXquz-xyrkQrvw8G86Ato_SdjMjLvBUb2eaCnWaTCGxk76wDcYQAT3Ok2GcNPVF6maSWnBZh951DFZtn97SJdI_vKkdwWtPvLew/w150-h200/20211127_111707.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.raisingmylittlesuperheroes.com/2021/07/henry-goes-to-australia-zoo.html">Australia Zoo</a> was our first successful outing. We lasted roughly five hours and the only reason we left is due to both kids complaining of sore feet. Neither entered into sensory or emotional overload. I may have become teary later that evening because of how amazing Henry was. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">We've visited <a href="https://www.raisingmylittlesuperheroes.com/2022/01/henry-goes-to-sea-world.html">two of the theme parks </a>on the Gold Coast in one day - this is something that we couldn't have done before Henry.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IUJHM1jr65FZM_xvL3yYKIBRyTuHMxvif8dNmzkkNe-01k2rQ7n9j6PZnBUt6yWghQfrb-UuAbV0GvRRjsPnEUByNymbKVSMcRwUintx2Ea9j9PTiF9qtHQxOu13ulwVreX4Aw0aFPtqQpWIvgbGCNXflbRvY-1-cFP0aW1Ikt7EQJHVGUDdqw/s960/seaworld%20007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IUJHM1jr65FZM_xvL3yYKIBRyTuHMxvif8dNmzkkNe-01k2rQ7n9j6PZnBUt6yWghQfrb-UuAbV0GvRRjsPnEUByNymbKVSMcRwUintx2Ea9j9PTiF9qtHQxOu13ulwVreX4Aw0aFPtqQpWIvgbGCNXflbRvY-1-cFP0aW1Ikt7EQJHVGUDdqw/s320/seaworld%20007.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Now when we are on outings, if either of the kids begin to feel overwhelmed, Henry steps in with lap lays, overs and nuzzles. And not once have we had to end an family outing early due to one of both kids becoming overwhelmed. <a href="https://www.raisingmylittlesuperheroes.com/2021/12/henry-goes-to-sealife.html" target="_blank">Sealife </a>on the Sunshine Coast, a full day school excursion for L, a full day at the Gold Coast Supernova convention to name a few, all have gone exceptionally well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Even a simple outing such as Santa photos was near impossible prior to Henry being placed. Our 2021 Surfing Santa photos were a breeze for L and we had to constantly remind him that we had to leave!<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKXX8nCtaVPpTRXsdsmvWJkVSTN1sFA2h8kyGJIjsN2DqvFg953odPH6y14rf2K_QPsHv4q-HyiWYSylydNYy6cqk_Zo76tM0Fjn4PkKiR_YQuFUpBIEgtBKl8SjT6O3YYuhSe72HDAH3JO1l4QVh2xLU-yTB9RZPqfdAGpHaRVZWhA61ugcp0Q/s3786/Xmas21%20(1)_resized.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2523" data-original-width="3786" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKXX8nCtaVPpTRXsdsmvWJkVSTN1sFA2h8kyGJIjsN2DqvFg953odPH6y14rf2K_QPsHv4q-HyiWYSylydNYy6cqk_Zo76tM0Fjn4PkKiR_YQuFUpBIEgtBKl8SjT6O3YYuhSe72HDAH3JO1l4QVh2xLU-yTB9RZPqfdAGpHaRVZWhA61ugcp0Q/s320/Xmas21%20(1)_resized.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">L is responsible for looking after Henry on a daily basis, under our supervision of course. He feeds Henry, brushes him, picks up Henry’s poops, plays with him, helps to wash Henry and everything else in between. This is developing L's skills a whole range of areas.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Henry is L's furry sidekick and as long as L always needs him, Henry will be by his side.</span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-27560027257947350462022-11-10T08:48:00.009+10:002022-12-17T08:54:16.031+10:00Team Henry: My Rock<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NiAZbxKyN9WyrbM3nkA2aV1rkKP_n32xtqn-rAmZFa5USCQ832vc33r6FF6fCaJswAWD_D_SwaCtL7PmqErcKzj_J6K9IbkG9O-etZHlQhGAeHc7rkZqxEe2GqLyG0c6bP3Tg759zA9amkEEe7YUqBA4AzUk44ZAWa_l-trawgTPScDBdAFdvg/s1080/FB_IMG_1671230211913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NiAZbxKyN9WyrbM3nkA2aV1rkKP_n32xtqn-rAmZFa5USCQ832vc33r6FF6fCaJswAWD_D_SwaCtL7PmqErcKzj_J6K9IbkG9O-etZHlQhGAeHc7rkZqxEe2GqLyG0c6bP3Tg759zA9amkEEe7YUqBA4AzUk44ZAWa_l-trawgTPScDBdAFdvg/s320/FB_IMG_1671230211913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While
my rock has been battling and kicking goals in ICU this week, this boi has been
my rock.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Henry
has been showing just how amazing he really is by supporting both little
superheroes and myself.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
he's been showing his intelligent disobedience skills!! Henry has deliberately
pushed me to our couch at home so that I'd sit down and then would lay his head
on my lap giving me some much needed deep pressure therapy </span>❤️❤️</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Henry
is L's Autism Assistance Dog, but he knows when I need help too.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, and he is a hit at the hospital. First making friends with all the staff in ICU and
today, making friends on his Daddy's ward </span>❤️❤️</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">#teamhenry
#smartpuphenry #smartpups #autismassistancedogs</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-32227719757360694772022-11-04T08:00:00.001+10:002022-11-04T08:00:00.184+10:00Team Henry: Expectations versus Reality - Companionship.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeVLBN0ubffnMvfph7B_HlBycHdHYpVPzJomDSLu0QS94Rag-X5373D9NaUJBCGuHBRKE-c5CGt761VVIIHd33Esx_jZCQCjFgJwpkgrGjZVixRYA1DEYTuSagBO1uprdBqn29gMFGKl8CAHkdr3zYokJK4ZtExOVxDMarE0X9CkaNkAbHHSCZg/s3024/IMG_20221025_082102_702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeVLBN0ubffnMvfph7B_HlBycHdHYpVPzJomDSLu0QS94Rag-X5373D9NaUJBCGuHBRKE-c5CGt761VVIIHd33Esx_jZCQCjFgJwpkgrGjZVixRYA1DEYTuSagBO1uprdBqn29gMFGKl8CAHkdr3zYokJK4ZtExOVxDMarE0X9CkaNkAbHHSCZg/s320/IMG_20221025_082102_702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> <b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Our expectations</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just the pure companionship for L is another aspect that we were looking forward to with having Henry placed with our </span>family<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Having a pup that he could say was his, as a conversation starter with our family and friends and other people that we come into contact with on a regular basis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKSuRsNpT8Y1JwBMkbaVWKRu1aaigBNmPc2Z3pvmPqUYy71AqaQv6LNJ62N_j2GZq_EYA-mvNf8-lwEnAvuUO4EQV1lsREkRxupQ08UnsW2P64cZkdgWxuIyJj4MV8MB9ur5dH6GOMc5TzKaoeev485VqX2A5ADdimlEUEhQ0i0JQJOV3_nfvNw/s1180/Picsart_22-09-11_11-02-52-627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="884" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKSuRsNpT8Y1JwBMkbaVWKRu1aaigBNmPc2Z3pvmPqUYy71AqaQv6LNJ62N_j2GZq_EYA-mvNf8-lwEnAvuUO4EQV1lsREkRxupQ08UnsW2P64cZkdgWxuIyJj4MV8MB9ur5dH6GOMc5TzKaoeev485VqX2A5ADdimlEUEhQ0i0JQJOV3_nfvNw/s320/Picsart_22-09-11_11-02-52-627.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The reality<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">L has always struggled with communication. When he is overwhelmed or when he meets new people, he reverts to being non-verbal and will use key word signing or sounds to communicate his needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Henry has been amazing in calming L to the point that he is able to communicate using speech.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When are out and about, if L is calm, Henry is a conversation starting point for him with new people. This is a huge first for L, and it is all thanks to Henry. The focus is taken off of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Lachlan and onto what Henry does and the tricks that he can do!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Both
little superheroes have complex needs, and as a result regular medical
appointments are a must.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Before
Henry, L would shut-down and hide under chairs, tables, cupboards, anything
that has a space underneath.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Now,
with Henry by his side, L is able to self regulate enough to communicate via
sounds or key word signing with the medical professionals. And with some, like
our pediatrician who has built an amazing rapport with L, he will communicate
verbally with them.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-85083255589796785642022-10-30T08:00:00.015+10:002022-10-30T08:00:00.178+10:00A Message From Henry!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJz39nGnJQL8YBRfmKZV7VXnpiuOFNSRM6UYlO8ntWQ70HgeaATWRmlm42fYsY-85VjBtKMWtBAiGQ1piyq_h60wSUPI0xg_v1Ypjj5FGKehEVUH1rXsV6bBue2MEvzt633UuBW1PJBckxB1zcCuDiQSOjYtoehb8hxIEV4mj44N05tpBsjEA1w/s3024/IMG_20221021_072516_824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJz39nGnJQL8YBRfmKZV7VXnpiuOFNSRM6UYlO8ntWQ70HgeaATWRmlm42fYsY-85VjBtKMWtBAiGQ1piyq_h60wSUPI0xg_v1Ypjj5FGKehEVUH1rXsV6bBue2MEvzt633UuBW1PJBckxB1zcCuDiQSOjYtoehb8hxIEV4mj44N05tpBsjEA1w/s320/IMG_20221021_072516_824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Hi hoomans!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Tis me Henry, and slothee.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Just like you hoomans, us working dogs need a healthy balance between work and down time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">At home if my boi needs me, I work. But when I'm not in coat, I can just be a puppy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">My hooman family always make sure that for every day that I work, I have a day off at home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It is your Sunday today, so take some time to chill out and relax.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Henry out, slothee needs to sleep ❤️</span></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-24065704216202207982022-10-29T09:05:00.000+10:002022-10-29T09:05:16.168+10:00Team Henry ..... School Training<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n_5-YaQhDDdf-VwgtP0eooDJw2plm79P45fgnFTo6P_VC6sKooQ9wYm8cER8uIcC8_ahpTL13HDLHX3_LczKr3Kcr8TW5URbkNzGK7uYd6u1T7JLaW0G3QkksyruLUKU1xJetO1RvTmd70FxC_rbX5YwR8aQrpsK9AtDiib8UHDEDHZ5GB7E2A/s1209/IMG_20221027_203326_606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1209" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n_5-YaQhDDdf-VwgtP0eooDJw2plm79P45fgnFTo6P_VC6sKooQ9wYm8cER8uIcC8_ahpTL13HDLHX3_LczKr3Kcr8TW5URbkNzGK7uYd6u1T7JLaW0G3QkksyruLUKU1xJetO1RvTmd70FxC_rbX5YwR8aQrpsK9AtDiib8UHDEDHZ5GB7E2A/s320/IMG_20221027_203326_606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This past week at L's school, we've had two Smart Pups trainers at the school training teachers on how to work with Henry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While Henry is L's Autism Assistance Dog, Henry cannot be at the school without an additional handler, which up until yesterday was myself. It is simply unethical to have Henry at school without an additional handler.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">We are incredibly fortunate in that L's school is so supportive of having Henry at school - they can see the positive impact that Henry has had, and continues to have, on L. So after a few months of organisation, the time came for the teacher handler training to occur.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Prior to the training we were told by Smart Pups, the organisation that trained and placed Henry with us, that his original trainer was not available so we would be getting two new trainers. What Smart Pups didn't tell us was that one of the trainers, Carol, was one of Henry's foster carers and had Henry with her in her school classroom as part of his initial training.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When L found out who Carol was and her connection to Henry, he was absolutely blown away that "the teacher person who taught Henry how to be a good boy at school" came to his school to train his teachers!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7d9J2lysj9JO1GMgQImKhDKk20ISCcFBY4nr9RijdphZ1wVDMDBXD6QHKRUiaDfqTO432OH9Ceizu2yhn0x-gumJxvzwkc_rFF1-IP2vd72iFXJD6b3GAlJ4mxzD74PodnJLxpRrUVpCghX51oStiDDcBLrFE1cdYZXUKYnbBpYJ0JiruE55GA/s1440/FB_IMG_1666936336597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7d9J2lysj9JO1GMgQImKhDKk20ISCcFBY4nr9RijdphZ1wVDMDBXD6QHKRUiaDfqTO432OH9Ceizu2yhn0x-gumJxvzwkc_rFF1-IP2vd72iFXJD6b3GAlJ4mxzD74PodnJLxpRrUVpCghX51oStiDDcBLrFE1cdYZXUKYnbBpYJ0JiruE55GA/s320/FB_IMG_1666936336597.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">At the conclusion of day one of teacher training, we had one very tired puppy and very happy child. Henry was his amazing self, as usual, and the teaching support staff were buzzing from their day learning how to handle Henry at school.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The teacher handler training was a very brief version of what we were taught when Henry was placed. It is important that they use the same commands with Henry that we do. The training only allows them to be the additional handler at school, but it does mean that on the mornings when L is having a rough morning, I don't need to stay at school in future.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQux1vH_1KLzhp8pBjj9yST7sx3ULPnLudxUcxqoCaN8uiD545IOroHVGGXiB5ng_oAgOsACGsTSavOVYaGR1uq0BWJ0_I_xTzPUciN2YUAu73o33NBgEvinZkvAtCKXzmf-9CCLMYg6_W_izbWVt46l1tf_968THoNqNSWx5jz1DYGakaUhvXbg/s874/IMG_20221028_160048_332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="874" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQux1vH_1KLzhp8pBjj9yST7sx3ULPnLudxUcxqoCaN8uiD545IOroHVGGXiB5ng_oAgOsACGsTSavOVYaGR1uq0BWJ0_I_xTzPUciN2YUAu73o33NBgEvinZkvAtCKXzmf-9CCLMYg6_W_izbWVt46l1tf_968THoNqNSWx5jz1DYGakaUhvXbg/s320/IMG_20221028_160048_332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Simon and Carol involved L in the teacher training - he spoke with them and the teaching support staff how Henry helps him and showed them some of Henry's task specific skills. L even helped out in his classroom, showing his peers the tricks that Henry does!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKOHrtiPrRpCb0x6wTlRf2a954vHwvrTiTNAMZkBE3H2hStAc5zQblLwIYgTDNtaq384mwgvIkKuYADTvcZO5J5lKp_qnUm7nc43rsXIeWyQO80JzOhqPxGSHuEqSt_RNvd1QY4ZsIpd9XQejLDeMFh5An2KIJZScHtK87ArUQPgsvs1Z2QoJBg/s841/IMG_20221028_160048_457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="841" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKOHrtiPrRpCb0x6wTlRf2a954vHwvrTiTNAMZkBE3H2hStAc5zQblLwIYgTDNtaq384mwgvIkKuYADTvcZO5J5lKp_qnUm7nc43rsXIeWyQO80JzOhqPxGSHuEqSt_RNvd1QY4ZsIpd9XQejLDeMFh5An2KIJZScHtK87ArUQPgsvs1Z2QoJBg/w200-h200/IMG_20221028_160048_457.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDU7z81Vji5KmujW3KfcIRXt5_upIfp5JLTFPT7A_h3xDanf9HGjvSR0u20v7BQCWCQMhK-LXfrZaTAAfbmPQ0wpYITqtAden1TPGQBIffk3FQgwi83jSSELFCdaIWPsXZzDT_67Sv64jvgMn-QTbXW4tiFbLFcvuVephZX_l4nYAI31I5E0BmUA/s1440/IMG_20221028_160048_673.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDU7z81Vji5KmujW3KfcIRXt5_upIfp5JLTFPT7A_h3xDanf9HGjvSR0u20v7BQCWCQMhK-LXfrZaTAAfbmPQ0wpYITqtAden1TPGQBIffk3FQgwi83jSSELFCdaIWPsXZzDT_67Sv64jvgMn-QTbXW4tiFbLFcvuVephZX_l4nYAI31I5E0BmUA/w200-h200/IMG_20221028_160048_673.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">L
went to bed that night a very happy camper!!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF4NnU-0oXc8MlO70FtbsrftliQs-KCp2bgEgnUaA3bL6AWVJtgNFLkJDVxkp1T_ZSR0hNiwI8D2s5RgM880pws1X4Pe_rY7mpgcHqCdK0JSd47NTJgp0Ha8_y9fnEH3BJdSSE32U7ZdvEe1f3L2_CSKHAacpDz052wpRgznky5HqtyJglDI5Rw/s1725/IMG_20221028_144547_638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="1725" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsF4NnU-0oXc8MlO70FtbsrftliQs-KCp2bgEgnUaA3bL6AWVJtgNFLkJDVxkp1T_ZSR0hNiwI8D2s5RgM880pws1X4Pe_rY7mpgcHqCdK0JSd47NTJgp0Ha8_y9fnEH3BJdSSE32U7ZdvEe1f3L2_CSKHAacpDz052wpRgznky5HqtyJglDI5Rw/s320/IMG_20221028_144547_638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Day two of teacher handler went just as well as the first day. The teaching staff were able to experience the task specific skills that Henry does for L - the deep pressure therapy laps and overs, and the nuzzling. We use these on a regular basis so it was important that they too saw, and felt, how effective they are.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dcY4Gp905EQZWooQEETebvCoMv1UyikRwBhGAA5BvrDKYdTdBVDJkp1xw1JGrevHfky4DznSiZk_D8U0FRirmX_AzaNLv2R8gTH3DKo8ZNqoDue0GE8MKWujtmIsPQUARnYuCCENIh8MhoHuvhFscire05CZOsOVXJsNFbJx10VSNdyI-GmNLg/s974/IMG_20221028_160048_416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="974" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dcY4Gp905EQZWooQEETebvCoMv1UyikRwBhGAA5BvrDKYdTdBVDJkp1xw1JGrevHfky4DznSiZk_D8U0FRirmX_AzaNLv2R8gTH3DKo8ZNqoDue0GE8MKWujtmIsPQUARnYuCCENIh8MhoHuvhFscire05CZOsOVXJsNFbJx10VSNdyI-GmNLg/s320/IMG_20221028_160048_416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3y4JD3Tf9ekICLKjFQhjN2Q6Uu08qtM7kVw98lIfoOHopYylM1gSvBZpHhzCkbANIaQxlUi1ea1yhGkiDOTIVt8_y6k4DwRVq15eMk3eFDdPGD4HYjXcUIaAEEmoFV2uGwRyk-08lmlN1tu2RQCWJS3xrq0h3smSnFMl-Zcz8DfD7_OkPCuPi5g/s697/IMG_20221028_160048_535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="697" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3y4JD3Tf9ekICLKjFQhjN2Q6Uu08qtM7kVw98lIfoOHopYylM1gSvBZpHhzCkbANIaQxlUi1ea1yhGkiDOTIVt8_y6k4DwRVq15eMk3eFDdPGD4HYjXcUIaAEEmoFV2uGwRyk-08lmlN1tu2RQCWJS3xrq0h3smSnFMl-Zcz8DfD7_OkPCuPi5g/s320/IMG_20221028_160048_535.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simon made L's day by complimenting L on how well he handles Henry. The teacher handler training was</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the next step in L's independence, he was able to show his peers, Simon and Carol and the support staff just how Henry helps him on a daily basis.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you Simon and Carol for going out to L's school, we are very grateful</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">❤️</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-McF8G7Tc3AbVMPo66XKWtRRRaYMZGEfyBtH6Z72dag0NAr0OPYjMzuMMl2wwd2dMScI5wedw6ZviF6HFZRwgLRRPsDKj3OMIR9ojd5xkWct7Ok73NXndyjVxF9Qv08DmR-Hx6i_N3tyLsfeDeWX5LvaSfp3JcA5tn67BzfJgPg501Gf9DCbesw/s3250/IMG_20221026_193043_115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3250" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-McF8G7Tc3AbVMPo66XKWtRRRaYMZGEfyBtH6Z72dag0NAr0OPYjMzuMMl2wwd2dMScI5wedw6ZviF6HFZRwgLRRPsDKj3OMIR9ojd5xkWct7Ok73NXndyjVxF9Qv08DmR-Hx6i_N3tyLsfeDeWX5LvaSfp3JcA5tn67BzfJgPg501Gf9DCbesw/s320/IMG_20221026_193043_115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-9339876708631276772022-10-18T19:49:00.003+10:002022-10-18T19:49:39.074+10:00What does independence look like??<p> What does independence look like? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuig-qYJ5ZaQBVTntbG-va9Trk181WSglRwBnGTlZREBehbQYGV7Pne4rFLFWxovyfuAZJz38ht9sSQ__Hhs5zWlva1T8nkFs28THRksokTywciUhGQx6gkhOyuF-oFXBAJ1qcIZ-oe91NOkEIlzka7IJJJfJA5JxA6Q9CSHtuSL-AD1HK9qwjw/s1502/IMG_20221018_160736_477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="1502" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuig-qYJ5ZaQBVTntbG-va9Trk181WSglRwBnGTlZREBehbQYGV7Pne4rFLFWxovyfuAZJz38ht9sSQ__Hhs5zWlva1T8nkFs28THRksokTywciUhGQx6gkhOyuF-oFXBAJ1qcIZ-oe91NOkEIlzka7IJJJfJA5JxA6Q9CSHtuSL-AD1HK9qwjw/s320/IMG_20221018_160736_477.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This! </p><p>Both kids were meant to walk to their grandparents place after school today, but unfortunately O went home early. The look on L's face when he saw that I was picking him up from school was definitely one of "wtf are you doing here??"</p><p>We still needed to go to Grandma's as they had the puppers today, so when I asked L if he wanted to go in the car, or walk, he jumped at the chance to walk by himself.</p><p>After a few ground rules about stopping at the road he'd need to cross and looking for cars before he walked across the road, he was off. </p><p>Keep in mind that Grandma and Dudduds is only a few minutes walk from school.</p><p>As I drove around the block, I will admit that I half thought I'd find L collecting sticks or rocks on the way, we get distracted very easily and there are some awesome sticks in the park he had to cross first!</p><p>I will also admit that I was slightly nervous, but the only way L will develop these skills is by us letting him try!!</p><p>But no, he'd run to the road, stopped and looked for cars, walked across and then ran all the way to Grandma, who was waiting out of view inside but keeping an eye out for L.</p><p>This is a HUGE step for L. A few years ago, crossing the road by himself was not something that he could do safely.</p><p>It's only a short distance but a huge step of independence for L.</p><p>One of his goals in L's NDIS plan, is around developing skills to be safe in the community - that goal has been in his plan since day dot, 7 years, 8 plans. </p><p>Community safety is now a reality, this kid is kicking goals!!</p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7104405064661411637.post-80059341377334351562022-10-10T08:08:00.001+10:002022-10-29T17:31:04.347+10:00End the Stigma<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlNUKIc6T_OPkH5vtHCEfam7lHlAw6AYcYwGO6oZANwS7x5hqXCnlrr_I9MsTOtZTQblMzeR4uoJocSK9HhsU17imNt3S7krCVhFPmzYRKMzSwnQaMrqjTc1mQs5Lh2vlBm2HrvdfL8zWuXMU-EFUtp_VL3Uxs2RaYlYSw6IVuTLMVkMJ0GOwKg/s952/FB_IMG_1665439661206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="952" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlNUKIc6T_OPkH5vtHCEfam7lHlAw6AYcYwGO6oZANwS7x5hqXCnlrr_I9MsTOtZTQblMzeR4uoJocSK9HhsU17imNt3S7krCVhFPmzYRKMzSwnQaMrqjTc1mQs5Lh2vlBm2HrvdfL8zWuXMU-EFUtp_VL3Uxs2RaYlYSw6IVuTLMVkMJ0GOwKg/s320/FB_IMG_1665439661206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Today is World Mental Health Day. The day is a global event that aims to promote, educate and raise awareness of mental health issues.</p><p>Our own mental health is incredibly important and something that we should be aware of. Unfortunately there is still.some stigma around having a mental health issue. By talking to one another, we can begin to eradicate the stigmas that are associated with mental illness.</p><p>If you ever need to talk, I am here ❤️</p><p>Let's end the stigma and talk more so that society as a whole recognizes the importance of an individual's mental health and well-being.</p><p>#worldmentalhealthday</p>Raising My Little Superheroeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226884350766813122noreply@blogger.com0