United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Our beautiful Airedale, Asta, died two years ago. She was the finest do on the planet (oops, I'm not too biased am I??). She had this quiet way of guarding the infants: she would lie down in front of their infant seats or next to the bassinet. And if anyone came in to see them, they would see her first!!! She was "oversized" too. Airedales are supposed to be about 50 lb dogs (which is why we chose her), but she grew to be 75 lbs!!! without an ounce of fat on her!!! I knew we were in trouble when her weight started slipping.

The kids adored her and her death was so hard on them. I thought I was ready for it, as I had been giving her a billion meds and watched her suffer and then made the "decision" because I knew she deserved better than to suffer. I was crushed by her death. We even tried a different puppy and I gave it back. In tears I looked at my husband and said "I don't want another dog, I just want Asta."

So we have waited and now Airedale puppies from an excellent local breeder are ready for viewing and I and the kids really want one and my hubby says he breathes better without the dog. What does breathing have to do with anything?????

In any case, I think dogs are fabulous. I tell people all the time that my kids will come home from school and they are already peeved at me (who knows why) but Asta was ALWAYS happy to see me!! I want that again.

Kids learn about caring for others. Responsibility. Clean up! And, like horse therapy, use your affected hand for brushing!!

claudia

We got our daughter a miniatue horse a couple years ago. That she adores! Our daughter is 6 now and Spirit is really to small for her to ride but she cleans his stall pretty much every day and brushes him and gives him baths.
I am saving up to buy a harness and cart for him too and once I train him she will be able to drive him around.
We also have a regular size horse too that I am just now starting to teach her how to ride. I have had horses since I was 16 but it is amazing how nervous you get when it is your own child up there.
We currently do not have any other pets but since Kallie was born we have had many animals. We had a dalmatian that we got as a puppy that was perfect with her and the best dog I have ever had. Somebody stole him while we were at a chirstmas party about 5 yrs ago. After awhile we got a Golden Retriever who was pretty good until one day Kallie was out in the yard playing with him and she took off running and he chased her grabed her by her injured arm and took her down to the ground. He wasn't doing it to be mean but I was not going to run any risks so I sold him that day. After that we tried Dachshunds and we had one up until we had to move and didn't have room for a dog. My sister has him now so we get to visit him.
Other than that we have had a cat and parakeets that are always fun.

OK this is a little off subject, but the talk of animal therapy got me thinking. Anyone interested in having kids with horses, but don't have room for a horse should check with your local 4H club (look in the phone book for your county's cooperative extension service under government offices) Many 4H programs have a We Can Ride club in which 4Her's work with kids with special needs. Generally there are age guidlines that will vary. My daughter is not quite old enoough yet, but we plan on doing it as soon as she is. Our PT is welcome to come out and participate. Our old PT loved the idea of getting BPI kids on horses to help improve balance and work on the weekened muscles in the back. Sorry to go off on a tagent, but thought people might be interested.

Pets are so great to have in life!! Giving your children the opportunity to love and care for a pet is a precious gift! The companianship and love another feels for and from a pet can be priceless. I highly recommend doing your research and finding just the right pet for your family. A few years back we decided we wanted a dog so we visited a great website to help us decide just the right breed for our lifestyle.
www.dogbreedinfo.com has all the breeds listed in alphabetical order, they even have a questionare to use to help you pick your breed and then they go on to list the breeders in your area. I believe they also do this for cats as well.

Our family ended up with an amazingly sweet, loving and caring English Springer Spaniel and we couldn't be happier. I do have to admit that finding just the right breeder was difficult. I have a list of questions to ask the breeders and if you would like to have a copy please email me and I will gladly send it to you. We interviewed 10 differen't breeders before we decided on ours and it really paid off.

All the best and Good Luck.

Lenni Porter

I'm not sure if you are a cat lover but my daughter (6 mos) just loves our cat (Dante). I love dogs too but cats are much less work, plus you can leave them for a night or two without having to find someone to watch them. Our cat is a persian (all white and lots of hair)!! My daughter is always reaching for him, I have seen more movement out of her affected hand when she is reaching for Dante. She gets her hands into his fur and just grabs on, he is wonderful with her and never comes back at ther. He just lets her do what she wants. When he gets sick of being pulled in all directions he just goes upstairs. I feel sorry for him when she starts to walk!! Whatever you choose just make sure the pet fits with your lifestyle. Good luck ............Tara

I would go to a shelter and get a puppy 8 weeks to 10 weeks old. Right now we have 2 dogs, 3 cats, and a oppossium (exotic short haired - not the kind in the back yard). These pets have taught our kids empathy, caring, responsibility, and have given so much love. They all 6 have different personalities - it's funny. The sweetest acting ones are the ones we got from shelters - it's almost like they knew we were saving them. Our big "Rodeo" dog weighs 70 lbs and she is part german shep and part chow - from a shelter - and the kids love to throw their arms around her neck and hug her - or she'll come up and throw her face on them and want "loves" The kids do their homework with either a cat on their lap or dog laying beside them and all 6 pets get along. The kids talk to the pets, play with them, snuggle, share their food (non-stop) and I think it makes them more caring because they love these pets so much. We just had a mouse funeral and we cried. We have one cat that slobbers, one obese cat, one anorexic looking cat (she just doens't eat much).... Our maltese is a very "single person pet" so I would't recommend that for a family (but they are very cute!). I would go to a shelter and do your computer research on the best family dogs. Personally I think our german shep chow mix is about the sweetest thing. They live 14 - 16 years and labs do not live that long but they are extremely sweet - my brother just lost his after 6 years- so you might want to take "life span" into consideration - so it depends on what you want and what is available. Shelters will help you find out what the best family pets are. I think that not only do pets encourage use of the arm - they add so much to a family. I truly believe that Brittney's arm got stronger because of playing with her dog - all of the movement she would try to do to take care of little Flippy. Sorry - I didn't mean to ramble so much - but our pets are SO MUCH part of our family.
Christy

Dogs can be a GREAT addition to a family and a child's life. I can't speak much to assistance therapy, but I can share just how much love and joy a pet can bring to your child, and this can surely be emotionally, very therapeutic! We have two dogs and one is officially my son's (who has an obpi). Mugzy is his best buddy in the world. All the running/balancing, petting, hugging, throwing balls, crawling along side him, etc., certainly qualifies as therapy on some level. I alsao do puppy/dog foster care, so there are many times where we have a very full house of dogs (some batches of puppies include as many as 11 pups). We have had nothing but positive experiences from having dogs in our lives and my son never seems to get enough of them! I am not a good one to talk about breeds with, because some of my most favorite and best behaved dogs are the mutts from the dog pound (and yes, Mugzy is even 1/2 pit and WONDERFUL). Good luck on your decision!

Lisa

Anyone know anything about Jack Russell Terriers. Like "My Dog Skip".

I just love those dogs and would love to get one for the kids.

Marlyn

Hey Maryln,
If you go to Yahoo and type in "dog breeds" there are alot of different sites that will help you - or type in (Jack Russel Terrier) and you will find all sorts of info. That's how I found out about our two. I researched them on the computer to know what to expect and all info has shown to be very accurate. I hope you do get little Jav a dog!:) From what we've learned over the years - mutts get the best characteristics of the breeds (they take on only the good traits) from both sides and seem gentler and sweet - no matter what blood they come from. (this was told to us at the shelter) Good luck to you! I hope that you find the dog that is right for your family.

Our neighbors got a Westy a year ago (flown in from somewhere) and that thing is so hyper and aggressive towards the 3 kids. Just get the dog that you want but do your research. Personally I think shelter mutts are the best.
Christy

Wow Peggy, I had never heard of a Schipperke so I looked it up, what a cool dog!
We have 2 whippets and one 5 month old mutt who is looking to grow enormous, she's a greyhound/foxhound cross. The whippets are the best dogs I've ever had, they hardly shed, need very little exercise compared to a breed like labs and are fantastic with the kids, they sleep in their beds under the covers with their heads on the pillow and even jump on the trampoline with them. They are clean as a cat and quiet, lovely affectionate dogs.
Marlyn, Jack Russells are cute but they are working dogs and often get bored and destructive as family pets, they can be very hyper. Great rat catchers though, and if they can get to do stuff like that they are happy! My neighbours one got bored, got out and killed every guinea pig and rabbit in our street before they caught him......yikes!
I agree that pets are great for kids, we have the 3 dogs as well as 3 cats (2 half siamese and 1 Manx) and a talking lorikeet who goes everywhere with my son, even out on his bike. The love we feel for our tribe of animals is huge-each of ours has its own huge personality.
Whatever breed (or mutt-I agree mutts are great) you choose, have fun!
Jen NZ