The realization that this relationship worked in a therapeutic and protective (for both of us) manner, took place after we had both endured a loss that had such a profound effect on our lives. We both had emotional issues that lasted a while due to that. I decided one of my dogs and I would team up.
I have since realized that I am indeed AT wired. At the time I felt very protective of this dog, and due to his feelings about that loss, he didn't like to let me out of his sight. He found it stressful to wonder where his human was. He had already lost someone and seemed to find going places with me to be an extreme comfort.
I plopped a comfort/support dog vest on him. He had always been a natural, and would be drawn to sit by those who were ill, in wheelchairs or simply 'in need'. When he meets someone vulnerable he would lean his head against their leg. I have a few dogs. This one is the sensitive soul.
I noticed when I was out with him, people would come up to us. When they would approach, I was no longer feeling on the spot. I noticed I was calmer, and more talkative. He would spot people that were friends, or seek them out by scent. For someone like me that might not immediately recognize an infrequent acquaintance, when he would direct his attention to them, I often had a chance to think think think (ah someone we know). It no longer took me by surprise.
In hindsight his presence has provided:
-A social bridge.
-A distraction when people might overly focus on me, and pick up on my quirks.
-A point of conversation that I found appealing enough to actually enjoy.
-A soothing distraction when too much was going on around me - snuggle break from that action.
-Drew my attention that someone was calling my name, when I might otherwise not notice (He would respond and I would look towards the person calling to me)
-The people coming up to me would be dog lovers. What a bonus. My type of people!
One may say a companion/support dog requires skills. I disagree. Other than recognizing my name (to hear people calling to me) and being highly socialized, he really didn't need any special skills.
There are some pitfalls, but they were infrequent and easily dealt with. Some people in public, do not like dogs. They will go out of their way to make that known. Only once did I have to physically intercede a negative action, and that was when someone pretended to get close and tried to kick him, thinking I would not notice. I stuck out my leg to block that (yeah wanna fall flat on your face??) gave him a stern look and said watch out, disgraceful!
I have never once felt anxious or edgy when he was with me, not even in the above moment.
Do other AT here have a support dog? What experiences have you in regard to how your sweet friend has touched your life?
I searched online, and found that service dogs are often used with Autistic children, but I do not see anything on Asperger Adults having service dogs.
I have since realized that I am indeed AT wired. At the time I felt very protective of this dog, and due to his feelings about that loss, he didn't like to let me out of his sight. He found it stressful to wonder where his human was. He had already lost someone and seemed to find going places with me to be an extreme comfort.
I plopped a comfort/support dog vest on him. He had always been a natural, and would be drawn to sit by those who were ill, in wheelchairs or simply 'in need'. When he meets someone vulnerable he would lean his head against their leg. I have a few dogs. This one is the sensitive soul.
I noticed when I was out with him, people would come up to us. When they would approach, I was no longer feeling on the spot. I noticed I was calmer, and more talkative. He would spot people that were friends, or seek them out by scent. For someone like me that might not immediately recognize an infrequent acquaintance, when he would direct his attention to them, I often had a chance to think think think (ah someone we know). It no longer took me by surprise.
In hindsight his presence has provided:
-A social bridge.
-A distraction when people might overly focus on me, and pick up on my quirks.
-A point of conversation that I found appealing enough to actually enjoy.
-A soothing distraction when too much was going on around me - snuggle break from that action.
-Drew my attention that someone was calling my name, when I might otherwise not notice (He would respond and I would look towards the person calling to me)
-The people coming up to me would be dog lovers. What a bonus. My type of people!
One may say a companion/support dog requires skills. I disagree. Other than recognizing my name (to hear people calling to me) and being highly socialized, he really didn't need any special skills.
There are some pitfalls, but they were infrequent and easily dealt with. Some people in public, do not like dogs. They will go out of their way to make that known. Only once did I have to physically intercede a negative action, and that was when someone pretended to get close and tried to kick him, thinking I would not notice. I stuck out my leg to block that (yeah wanna fall flat on your face??) gave him a stern look and said watch out, disgraceful!
I have never once felt anxious or edgy when he was with me, not even in the above moment.
Do other AT here have a support dog? What experiences have you in regard to how your sweet friend has touched your life?
I searched online, and found that service dogs are often used with Autistic children, but I do not see anything on Asperger Adults having service dogs.
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