Library READ touches Disabled Adult reader

While I was waiting for my next child to select a book, a lady came up and began to explain that she had recently be diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder, had to quit her job, and was on disability. While at the library she had read the poster which described how reading with the dogs helped the children. She was trying to describe to me how difficult it was for her to take her turn at reading during her Sunday School class; but she couldn' get very far in her story because she kept tearing-up and near hyperventilating.

I took her over to Holly's corner and invited her to become a child and sit down on the pillow with Holly. Holly seemed to know, snuggled close, and the lady started petting her. We talked about Holly and about the affects dogs have on blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. We talked about how reassuring it is for a child to read to the dog, etc. Went through the whole thing. Woven through our discussion were bits and pieces of her problem and her experience in the Sunday School classroom and in talking with strangers.

Finally I stopped her and asked her how she felt. What a change. She was calm, we had laughed together, her breathing was normal, and she was smiling. Then I reminded her that she was talking with a stranger.---She has a small dog and is going to begin working with her own dog as her therapist.

The magic of our dogs!!!!!!!

What a great story! You were both a blessing to that lady!