Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Elliott the Therapy Dog

Saturday, Maddi did her live interview for the KSL Telethon and we were so fortunate to see some familiar faces.  Melanie, one of Maddi’s speech therapist and Joe and his dog Elliott were there at the same time.

It was like meeting up with family that you haven’t seen for a while.  There were hugs all around and of course Melanie was pleased with Maddi’s progress!  Melanie is such a gifted therapist and we owe her such a great debt of gratitude for her contribution to Maddi’s miracle.  All of the therapists at Primary Children’s Hospital are amazing!  They are angels in the flesh and they are masters at their craft.

I can imagine the confused looks on the faces of the reader because of the title. I don’t even know if I have mentioned the Therapy dogs before in this blog.  Joe is the owner and Elliott is the dog.  Joe volunteers his time and when Maddi was at the hospital he came every Thursday.

Elliott 2

The reason I chose to write about Elliott is because after visiting with Joe, I was reminded how many of Maddi’s “firsts” included Elliott.  One of the very first times Maddi went to therapy Elliott met us in the gym.  Before Maddi had any real use of her limbs she was determined to hold onto a treat for Elliott.

One of Maddi’s first discernable interests was with Elliott.  She turned her head with purpose and actually looked right at Elliott.  I think it reminded her of home.  Elliott looks so much like Josie minus the white spot on her chest.

Just holding a small treat in her hands was a difficult task.  At first she was so tight with spasticity that she couldn’t even open her hand. We would wedge the treat between her thumb and first finger just like you would do with a rattle for an infant. 

We would stimulate her muscles hoping that she would extend her arm to reach out and give Elliott the treat.  It took a lot of time before she could do it independently.

With Brain Injury often times during the early stages of recovery, the more they try to use a muscle the more it does the opposite.  That was the case with Maddi.  She would try to take the treat but instead of her hand opening, it would clench tighter.

Joe and Elliott were there to play ball with Maddi as she slowly learned to use her limbs.  They were there when she was learning to hold her head and learning to crawl.  He even participated in a crawling race with Maddi when she got faster and Elliott doesn’t like to crawl.

It was a great day when Maddi opened her hand so that she could feel and pet Elliott’s soft hair. Elliott is a labra doodle, poodles have hair like humans.  During that time her facial expression was non-existent but in her eyes you could see how excited she was. 

For me, seeing recognition in her eyes with anything was so comforting.  Knowing that she remembered was such a beautiful thing.  For those teachers out there, you know when you see the light bulb of understanding or remembrance go on.  That is what happened with Elliott.  I think it provided her a critical connection to a home she had no access to for all of that time.

I remember Maddi working so hard to use the sign for dog but finding it a little difficult to form because of the lack of control she had in her hands.  I also remember her determination to correctly make the sign for dog and the day she finally could do it. 

I remember after a visit with Elliott, Maddi felt sad because it has been so long since she had seen Josie and been home.  It was interesting because instead of feeling sorry for herself she expressed gratitude that Elliott and Joe were there.

Maddi’s favorite was when Joe would have Elliott pray for her.  Elliot would sit next to the gym table and put both paws on the table and bow his head.  When Joe said “amen”, Elliott would concur with his manly little bark.  Maddi loved this trick.  I would love to train Josie to do that.  I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Elliott

It was incredible how many memories of Joe and Elliott came rushing back as we sat and visited while waiting for our turn on camera.  I wish that I had a picture of Maddi with Elliott.  I just didn’t think about it.

I wish I could describe the slide show going on in my head better but the connection between Maddi and Elliott really needs to be felt and  can’t be described.  Elliott gave her another reason to remember home and our crazy pets, even though they are not nearly as well trained as Elliott.

It is amazing the huge impact such a small gift of service has.  Thanks Joe for dedicating your time and sharing Elliott with the patience at Primary Children’s Medical Center.

I hope to get my dogs trained well enough to follow in your footsteps Joe.  One day it will happen and I will grow up to be like you!  That is the kind of retirement I would love!

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