Well, obviously we made it! The plane ride was very difficult at first for Caitlin--we thought we were headed for a disaster there for a bit--but with a lot of patience (and honestly, some medication) she settled down and actually was smiling on the last leg of the flight between Chicago & Cincinnati.
4 Paws for Ability is wonderful. So many dogs and the staff is so great, caring and knowledgable. It was such an emotional feeling to finally be there and see the other children be introduced to their dogs one at a time. Caitlin caught a cold on the plane. Combined with the fact that the training started when it was still 6 AM "Alaska Time", she had a rough morning and it was not exactly a picture perfect introduction to Amos, but I can tell that she will warm up and he is certainly affectionate enough that I know the relationship will build. It already has in the last 24 hours.
On the first days we have covered basic obedience commands. However, just the basic commands are so impressive! I am of course impressed that the dogs all know the commands and do them so well, but I think I am even more impressed that every parent there (and some of the kids) are able to do the commands with the dogs as well.
Amos & I practice a lot during and after "school". Paul has "girl duty" while I am learning to handle him and help to nurture the relationship between Caitlin & Amos. Ashley has been enjoying coming to training with me. She enjoys watching the other dogs just a much as I do. They are all so beautiful and amazing!
Caitlin has had a very high seizure count since the morning after our flight so we don't believe that Amos has had enough of a "baseline" scent to detect when she has the elevated scent, so he has not alerted us to any of her seizures yet. We must understand that this situation is the perfect "recipe" for Caitlin to have increased seizures & stress. 4 hour time difference is really throwing off her sleep schedule--which is so connected to her seizure level. The amount of commotion yesterday in class totally overwhelmed her sensory receptors (she only spent a few hours there and we knew it was enough and she will likely have very limited time there for this reason). The fact that we are in a totally different place with totally different routine & schedule than normal. Combine all of this with catching a cold from the flight that is making her quite miserable. No one can blame her for being out of sorts and not being set up for the ideal first few days with Amos in her life. With that being said, Caitlin was "stimming" last night and Amos caught right on to that and tried to behavior disrupt her, which is something he is supposed to do. It was actually very obvious what he was doing and hopefully it will be something that will keep her from getting to "obsessed" on certain items and rubbing her fingers raw so often. Amos also slept in bed with Caitlin & I, sleeping at Caitlin's feet. He was so good I didn't even notice him there!
It is so inspiring to see all of the other kids in class, all with their own struggles, but all so loving and wonderful. I have to admit it is nice to be surrounded by other parents that understand what it is like to have the kind of challenges our kids have been handed. The love in their eyes as they are talking about their children is just so heartwarming. I look forward to continuing to get to know everyone and hopefully building some very supportive friendships between our families. There are 14 of us altogether for this class.
I am posting several pics here from the last few days and will post more as time allows. Thanks for checking in! And thanks again to those that helped to make this possible!
Amos comforting a pitiful feeling Caitibug on night 1
Such a gorgeous little guy!
His first photo op in his service dog vest
Trying to distract Caitlin during "stimming"
Look at this cute guy! Adorable Devon with Charm
Sweet Madison & her affectionate labradoodle Arvani
Nicholas & his dog Shane--so lucky to have eachother!
Anthony & beautiful Ladybug doing a harness walk
P.S. If you would like to read another story of a child that could use a service dog, please read Andrew's Hope at http://www.andrewshope.blogspot.com/
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