A breakthrough...

**Kate3jays** · 03-11-2010, 12:33 PM

Jed was in school with me today as part of his therapy work. He has been providing intensive therapy for 6 selected children now for about 6 months, all for various reasons and all with varying degrees of success.

I compiled an 80 page research project which showed that the work Jed does with the children really does have massive benefits and possitive results.

Anyway today he was doing some work with a little girl named "H" who doesn't have any verbal communication and cannot, as yet, walk unaided. Jed has been providing H with a real incentive to stand on her feet, weight bare and bend from the waist and reach out to touch him.

As the weeks have gone on she has got better and better as her confidence has grown. Today as she leant forwards to touch Jed, he planted a huge wet kiss on her face. I don't usually encourage it but as she giggled audibly at him I hadn't the heart to tell him off.

Gemma, my colleague then helped H back into a sitting position and as she sat, H pointed to her mouth with her index finger, something she has never done before.

Taking it as a sign of communication I said, "that's right, Jed kissed you", she immediately smiled and pointed once more to her mouth "do you want another kiss?" I asked and again she smiled and rocked slightly in her seat.

Gemma and I positioned her again and once more Jed obliged with a wet slurp, much to H's absolute delight.

It most definitely was her way of communicating and we were thrilled. As she was getting ready to go home this afternoon, Jed and I passed her in the corridor and she once again tapped her mouth with her finger and stole another kiss.

God I love my job, but even moreso, I LOVE my dog.

**tismom** · 03-11-2010, 12:36 PM

Way to go, Jed. He obviously has touched this girl's heart. I hope she continues to progress with Jed's help.

**joflake** · 03-11-2010, 12:48 PM

That is so sweet! Good boy Jed! Isn't it amazing what animals can do for people? I know someone that has a theraputic riding stable and they bring kids there that can't walk. They put them on horses to strengthen their leg muscles. It's amazing the progress they make. Thank you for making a difference in this little one's life.

**Samson** · 03-11-2010, 12:59 PM

Jed ! You are a typical Labratart !

Keep it up boy !

**Bob Pr.** · 03-11-2010, 01:06 PM

Great episode, thanks for sharing!

**Neska74** · 03-11-2010, 01:46 PM

Oh Kate, what a great story!!! How awesome.
I'm hoping to get into therapy dog with Saba, the evaluation test is in a couple of weeks, so I hope we pass it!!

**kaznalf** · 03-11-2010, 02:00 PM

Thats fab!! Im going to be having the same problems with Logan as "H" has now and it would be fab if Alfie could help him with that! Great post Kate x

**Kate3jays** · 03-11-2010, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by kaznalf

Thats fab!! Im going to be having the same problems with Logan as "H" has now and it would be fab if Alfie could help him with that! Great post Kate x

He definitely will Kaz, the children adore him and he is such an incentive for them to want to move, just as Alfie will be for Logan x

**Kate3jays** · 03-11-2010, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Neska74

Oh Kate, what a great story!!! How awesome.
I'm hoping to get into therapy dog with Saba, the evaluation test is in a couple of weeks, so I hope we pass it!!

Good luck Saba, you will be great

**BauersMom** · 03-11-2010, 02:32 PM

That is such an awesome story. I would have been crying like a baby! Although I'm sure that it is an incredibly difficult job, it is such an important job that you (and Jed) do.