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AN EXTRA SET OF HANDS - Nicole Kaler (Maya's mom)
Our Autism Support Dog, PePe is dependable, strong, smart, intuitive and eager to please. She supports Maya, our 8-year-old daughter, who is severely affected by Autism and is unable to speak or manage many of her personal self care and safety needs. In the short time that PePe has been with our family she has already brought joy and friendship to Maya as well as increased her safety. PePe is exactly what our family needed- she's that extra set of hands that we always knew would make life much easier.
In jacket, PePe is sturdy and reliable. She allows us to enjoy outings as a family without the fear that comes with Maya's unpredictable behaviour of "running away". Out of jacket and in our home PePe is an incredibly well trained dog- very loving and extraordinarily gentle. She clearly understands her role within our family. She will sit at Maya's feet for hours and allow Maya to interact with her however Maya can at a given moment. PePe is already a special friend to Maya and she does not require the same level of interaction with Maya that she receives from the other children in our house. She knows that the little girl that she is tethered to on outings everyday is her primary charge. PePe's desire to please and be a useful member of our household circumvents all else and even though being Maya's dog is not as exciting some days as hanging out with Maya's younger siblings, she enthusiastically does it.
Ultimately, the integration of PePe into the Kaler family household is a project of love and hard work that we are all enjoying. The entire process has brought us great hope and although it is a lot of work, having a family member with Autism has always made life more colourful anyways. As we had long ago accepted that Maya would not have friendships in the traditional way that little girls do, it has been especially nice to have PePe make up for that loss. Maya will not go to sleep without PePe and she says her name often. PePe is just as committed to Maya as the rest of the family is, and she loves us all the same while giving special care and attention to Maya.
It is with a full heart that our family extends our thanks to BC Guide Dog Services/ Autism Support Dogs and Jamie, Ashley, Chris and Corinna who all trained me, as Maya's mother, to become this essential link between my child and PePe as the primary handler. Without the continuous support and thorough training, we could not have the amazing outlook on the future of this relationship. We, of course, have a very special place in our heart for PePe's puppy raiser, Beth McLean from Calgary, and all puppy raisers past, present and future who give of themselves so selflessly for the future service of others. We know that the love, care and attention given to our PePe throughout her puppy life has created this amazing addition to our family and most importantly a best friend to a little girl who does not have the easiest time connecting and making friends. We would also like to thank Variety – The Children’s Charity for sponsoring PePe and helping to make this all happen.
It has become exponentially easier for us to play as a family outside of our home. Our Autism Support Dog is a benefit to our entire household and PePe brings a sense of calm when we are planning for future family trips and activities. PePe has given us the security of knowing that it will never again be the safer option to leave Maya at home. Thanks to PePe, from now on wherever we go, Maya can safely come too! |
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