Pet (or some fuzzy animal) for sensory-seeking child

[SarahW]

So SPD. Crazypants has it as an official diagnosis. But Babypants....seems to be much the same as well, except different.

 

CP was never a cuddler or a touchy-feely baby. But BP, oh boy, is he ever. And he's starting to get to the age where he can't just put his hands in my shirt whenever he wants, kwim?

 

We have here an old, somewhat senile, yard cat. BP often tries to pet her, which she tolerates for a few moments before running off. The other week at preschool, they brought in some kittens (practice petting and be nice to animals and so on). BP was ecstatic, and tried to bring one home.

 

So that got me thinking about whether we should start trying to train up a good "lap cat" that he can pet as he gets older. We're more comfortable with cats than dogs here, though I'm open to suggestions. 

 

I've heard of comfort animals for kids, but I'm thinking more specifically of an animal for touching, as an outlet for sensory-seeking.

 

Has this been discussed before? I'm just trying to think through whether my thought process is correct here or not.

[Pawz4me]

There are cats who are very dog like and absolutely thrive on and seek out human attention. Rather than trying to "train" a kitten I'd go to a shelter or work with a good local rescue group to find a cat who's known to have that type of personality. Good luck!

[summerreading]

^ Yes, shelters will let you hang out with a cat. Lots of them have facebook pages or petfinder listings you can look through that will tell you about the personality. 

[Lecka]

Rabbits and Guinea pigs might be options, too.

 

This is recommended (when kids do treat animals appropriately!) for helping kids pick up on nonverbal cues from an animal and thinking about what the animal likes, how to take care of the animal, etc. if these are issues, too.

 

Edit: really animals are not the same as stuffed animals, so kids need to learn they can't do things like hold an animal that is showing it wants to be let go or put down, because the child wants to keep petting or holding it.

 

When kids don't do understand this there is a risk of the animal avoiding the child and preferring others in the family.

 

But plenty of kids have a great sense for this and just do great with pets and find them very comforting.

 

We had to wait for my son until he could treat a pet well, now he does great with our dog. But he loves to run around in the yard more than to just per her, so active/playful is a good fit.

 

Edit: if you see he has a good sense, that is great. If you see he loves them but needs heavy supervision to notice when to let them shift position or be put down -- I would wait to get one but look for chances to supervise him so that he can improve and then get one.

 

And really -- I think seeing how your older son does should be a consideration and maybe you see how he does, too. It is not nice when a pet favors one sibling; but it is something that can happen. And then it can be pretty negative for the unfavored sibling, or just a lost chance where maybe they could have gotten off on a better foot if they had practiced more first or waited a little longer.

Edited June 16, 2017 by Lecka

[PeterPan]

Our ds, at age 3, was a terror with our dog. All kids at that age are enchanted by babies. Take him to the store and let him play with them. Go to the fair and the zoo and hit the petting areas. He can have the exposure in other ways. Even being appropriate for a few minutes in a store isn't telling you what he'll be like all the time, day in day out. My ds has needed significant supervision and time to finally slow down and have behaviors that are more appropriate with our dog. Now the dog will be with him, but, like Lecka is saying, there's a lot of water under the bridge where ds was NOT appropriate with the dog. It got worse as he got older, because he was *trying* to be friendly with the dog but was just so inappropriate, missing the nonverbals.

 

I would get him fuzzy pillows and light up toys for sensory. Unless he's super gentle (not oblivious, not abrupt, not prone to hitting or scaring or harming), I would wait on the animal. Or get something LARGE that can tolerate it like a golden doodle or standard poodle or lab, something known for tolerating behaviors. Not a small animal of any kind. Our dog is small (under 20 pounds), and I wish, wish, wish he were much larger for ds' sake. Like BIG, like a great dane big.

 

Our SLP had these giant dogs, now I've forgotten what they were, some kind of mastiff maybe? Huge, like small horses, HUGE dogs. Awesome with kids with SN. They're so big, kids are like flies. And kids can sleep on them, feel their warmth. Small dogs like ours are ok, but really big would be so much better. My ds likes our dog with him to go to sleep. 

Edited June 16, 2017 by OhElizabeth

[Lecka]

I think there are kids who have an amazing sense, an amazing connection.

 

That is a real thing, it is a special thing.

 

My younger son -- he was sensory seeking and he wanted to press on or touch dogs' eyeballs.

 

Like -- he was sensory seeking and he liked their eyes, and he wanted to touch them and press on them.

 

He isn't like that now but he was like that and we just had to postpone getting a dog.

 

It was really obvious and easy to see, with just running into people with dogs I would have to monitor him on the eye thing. He just didn't understand.

 

We personally got advice not to get a smaller animal; instead to get a larger animal that would not be threatened by kids and also would be able to defend itself a little bit. We have a black lab mix (mostly black lab) that weighs about 40 pounds.

 

But this is with me having a child who could tend to be too dominating, too controlling, maybe do things the pet wouldn't like. And he is doing good, really good, but it is good we have a dog who is capable of sending a little more blunt of signals than a rabbit or guinea pig could.

 

But I think some kids just are sensitive and do amazing with rabbits and guinea pigs at very young ages. I think they feel very comfortable and accepted and it is a really special thing.

 

Some kids really have a really natural affinity with animals.

 

I think just try to be realistic about if you have a child who will do awesome, or a child where you will need to supervise extensively and possibly do a lot of teaching/exposure -- but if you have a good sense I think go for it!

 

And if you don't have a good sense, I think it is a great goal and something that could become realistic in a short time in the scheme of things.

 

I was sad to wait when it was clear siblings would love a pet but it wasn't realistic for one of my kids..... well 2-3 years can make a huge difference.

[Pawz4me]

Some dog breeds are more touch insensitive than others. Mostly it's the sporting and hunting breeds. They wouldn't be much good for those jobs if they hated jumping in icy water or running through briers. The same genes that make them not mind that stuff make them much more tolerant of rough handling by young kids. It's why breeds like Labs and Goldens have the reputation of being good kid dogs. Beagles, too, so it doesn't always have to mean a large dog. The "con" side of that is because those dogs are touch insensitive they also don't think anything of plowing right over a person while they're running at full speed or jumping on a kid (or adult) and knocking them down. They just aren't fazed much by touch and that can be both a good and a bad thing! Most of the touch insensitive dog breeds also need tons of exercise.

 

There are some large dog breeds I'd never, ever recommend for a home with a SN child. I'm thinking particularly of Greyhounds, but there are others. Big doesn't always equal good kid dog!

 

For a more gentle child who really just wants to have his hands (gently) on something there are a number of smaller breeds I can think of who'd thrive on that. I'm partial to Shih Tzus (see avatar ;)). Ours would think he was in heaven if he had a gentle little kid, especially a little girl, to pet and hold him all day.

[SarahW]

Oh, just to clarify, Babypants is just shy of 4, and I'm thinking that if I begin the "let's get a pet" idea now, it'll be a year before it actually gets done. Convince DH - more than a few months. Consider where to get the animal - another few months. Actually getting the animal - more months.  :laugh:   :rolleyes:  Things get done slowly here. 

 

And Crazypants has a pet. A Beta fish. He looks at it and talks to it. That's about all he needs there.

 

Babypants actually tried to get into the tank the other day, wanting to play with it. No! no touching! You don't touch the fish! That made him sad. 

 

Babypants seems okay with MIL's old cat, but it's hard since she likes to run off before he really gets a chance to touch her. But that's her, she never ever liked being petted. But she wasn't petted much as a kitten, so she didn't "evolve" to prefer touch. I've heard that "lap cats" are made, not born, by being petted a lot from kittenhood. Though some cats are contrary, and some cats are jerks. But suffice to say, we're not going to teach this old cat to be affectionate, lol.

 

I'm actually trying to think if I know anyone who has an affectionate cat. Or a smart and affectionate dog. We're rural, so most cats are outdoor cats who spend the day hunting frogs instead of hanging out at home with their human. And a neighbor has dogs he likes to go see, but they're little yappy idiots (sorry, they're cute though). She also has rabbits, which he loves, but rabbits don't strike me as being very bright. Guinea pigs are pretty smart, though, aren't they? I don't know much about them. 

 

But from what I've seen, he seems to have a decent amount of respect for animals. But getting from there to a pet who is a sensory outlet and also a companion - that's a lot of responsibility to put on an animal. And I don't think he's at the point where he needs a specially-trained animal or anything, so....  :unsure:

 

 

 

 

[SarahW]

Some dog breeds are more touch insensitive than others. Mostly it's the sporting and hunting breeds. They wouldn't be much good for those jobs if they hated jumping in icy water or running through briers. The same genes that make them not mind that stuff make them much more tolerant of rough handling by young kids. It's why breeds like Labs and Goldens have the reputation of being good kid dogs. Beagles, too, so it doesn't always have to mean a large dog. The "con" side of that is because those dogs are touch insensitive they also don't think anything of plowing right over a person while they're running at full speed or jumping on a kid (or adult) and knocking them down. They just aren't fazed much by touch and that can be both a good and a bad thing! Most of the touch insensitive dog breeds also need tons of exercise.

 

There are some large dog breeds I'd never, ever recommend for a home with a SN child. I'm thinking particularly of Greyhounds, but there are others. Big doesn't always equal good kid dog!

 

For a more gentle child who really just wants to have his hands (gently) on something there are a number of smaller breeds I can think of who'd thrive on that. I'm partial to Shih Tzus (see avatar ;)). Ours would think he was in heaven if he had a gentle little kid, especially a little girl, to pet and hold him all day.

 

 

Do the smaller dogs need a lot of training?

 

I am a bit partial to cats. Unless you need to teach them to use a particular litter box, they mostly figure out their own needs. Dogs, on the other hand, walking, cleaning up after them, and obedience school, grooming, washing and so on. Maybe I've mostly known high-maintenance dogs, or fussy owners. But I don't want too much effort. I already have to be the maid and brain for three people in this house (I feel like, usually, on most days, lol)! I don't know if I can handle four.

 

I have a relative who has big Labs. Yes, they're great with kids. One of her dogs would start crying if you ignored him for longer than five minutes, so yeah, definitely attention seeking. But oh so strong and active!

 

Maybe when we go for fish supplies I can start asking around about what breeds are common in this area. I'm not sure what the Dutch equivalent of animal shelters would be.... we need a thinking emoji here, I'm thinking a lot. Think, think think.

[Guest]

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Edited August 13, 2017 by Guest

[Storygirl]

We have the best, sweetest cat ever. She never bites, hisses, swats, or even twitches her tail when she is angry. She just sits there and puts her ears back and looks like she wants to jump away. My kids (even the more NT ones) have a hard time reading her body language to know when she wants to be left alone.

 

So it can be an issue. Even at age 12 and 13, my kids hear us say, "The cat is not happy. Look at her ears. Let her go," multiple times per day. Kitty tolerates the kids now and will even go sit on their beds and let them pet her. But she used to avoid them. She was an adult cat when we got her from my mom and was not used to children. My kids were about six and seven when she joined our family. She hid from them for two or three years (not exaggerating) and only came out after they were in bed for the night.

 

I've almost always had a cat. Kitty is by far my favorite ever, and she is lovely with the kids, in that she is never cranky. They pet and play with her a lot, now that she will let them. But I wish we had a dog for DS13 with SPD (and other issues). A big golden doodle would be my top choice. I love standard poodles as well (grew up with them and have some owned by extended family), but I think the golden part of the mix would make the dog even more hardy and kid-proof. We may get a dog eventually, but it's not the right time right now, for a few reasons.

 

DS13 would absolutely love a dog. Our previous neighbors had a standard poodle, and when she was outside, DS would sit with his arms around her while the other kids played (he is a kid with ADHD who never sits still!). Our cat is a great sensory snuggler for him, but having a rough and tumble dog would be awesome.

 

So I think a cat might be a great idea for your family, if a dog is not an option. But I agree that picking one from a shelter and spending time with it first is better than getting a kitten. You can't really make a cat like to be held, and you can't tell if a kitten will end up being a snuggly cat or not. Get an adult. And be prepared to spend a lot of time supervising the child-pet interaction. Make sure that it is always pleasant for the cat, because if the cat learns that the child is rough, it will avoid him.

[Guest]

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Edited August 13, 2017 by Guest

[Pen]

Do the smaller dogs need a lot of training?

 

I am a bit partial to cats. Unless you need to teach them to use a particular litter box, they mostly figure out their own needs. Dogs, on the other hand, walking, cleaning up after them, and obedience school, grooming, washing and so on. Maybe I've mostly known high-maintenance dogs, or fussy owners. But I don't want too much effort. I already have to be the maid and brain for three people in this house (I feel like, usually, on most days, lol)! I don't know if I can handle four.

 

I have a relative who has big Labs. Yes, they're great with kids. One of her dogs would start crying if you ignored him for longer than five minutes, so yeah, definitely attention seeking. But oh so strong and active!

 

Maybe when we go for fish supplies I can start asking around about what breeds are common in this area. I'm not sure what the Dutch equivalent of animal shelters would be.... we need a thinking emoji here, I'm thinking a lot. Think, think think.

 

 

If you are partial to cats, get a cat. 

 

I'd get a cat who is old enough to have a personality already evident, and to let it and your children meet and see if they bond before adopting/buying it.

 

Some cat breeds tend to be more lap-cat likely than others, but individuals also differ.  And cats even within a single litter can have a range of personality types, such as a shy run-away type cat, a friendly cat, an explorer independent cat, and a cat who scratches when it does not get its own way.  So choosing from cats who are adults or at least adolescents could be a help.  

 

 

I love dogs, but fully admit that dogs, even easy dogs, are almost always more work than an average cat.  Dogs can be sort of like having an extra perpetual toddler around.  Our current dog is very low maintenance, very short haired, very well behaved -- but he still needs things like nail trimming and walking that the cats do not need.  Unless you yourself want a dog and all that entails, don't get one.

[Lecka]

We wanted a dog. I consider it a lot of work and a big commitment. Especially -- we have to make arrangements to leave her or bring her if we are going to be gone overnight.

 

We got advice to get lab or a retriever :) I didn't know that about some larger dogs not being a good choice.

 

I don't know a lot about guinea pigs, but we go to autism events sometimes that include a petting zoo, and the guinea pigs are very popular and to me seem easier to hold than a rabbit. They are very pettable. My older son's 3rd grade teacher had guinea pigs, too, and they seemed to be easy and good with kids.

 

I have been in a home with guinea pigs where it seemed like it was easy (compared to a cat or dog) for the parents to choose when to take out the guinea pig and supervise holding it.

 

I don't have any first-hand experience, but I just have a good impression that they are very soft, very easy to hold and pet, but also lower maintenance and easy easier to control access.

 

We have to have an inside/outside pet, we don't have space for outside-only. If you are rural and have space you may have a lot of options for an animal that could be outdoors.

 

I do think, if you are honestly more of a cat person, I don't think you would want a dog. But I think considering some other options besides a cat is good, too.

 

I think there is a good chance a cat would end up mainly being your cat ;)

[Pawz4me]

Oh, just to clarify, Babypants is just shy of 4, and I'm thinking that if I begin the "let's get a pet" idea now, it'll be a year before it actually gets done. Convince DH - more than a few months. Consider where to get the animal - another few months. Actually getting the animal - more months.  :laugh:   :rolleyes:  Things get done slowly here. 

 

And Crazypants has a pet. A Beta fish. He looks at it and talks to it. That's about all he needs there.

 

Babypants actually tried to get into the tank the other day, wanting to play with it. No! no touching! You don't touch the fish! That made him sad. 

 

Babypants seems okay with MIL's old cat, but it's hard since she likes to run off before he really gets a chance to touch her. But that's her, she never ever liked being petted. But she wasn't petted much as a kitten, so she didn't "evolve" to prefer touch. I've heard that "lap cats" are made, not born, by being petted a lot from kittenhood. Though some cats are contrary, and some cats are jerks. But suffice to say, we're not going to teach this old cat to be affectionate, lol.

 

I'm actually trying to think if I know anyone who has an affectionate cat. Or a smart and affectionate dog. We're rural, so most cats are outdoor cats who spend the day hunting frogs instead of hanging out at home with their human. And a neighbor has dogs he likes to go see, but they're little yappy idiots (sorry, they're cute though). She also has rabbits, which he loves, but rabbits don't strike me as being very bright. Guinea pigs are pretty smart, though, aren't they? I don't know much about them. 

 

But from what I've seen, he seems to have a decent amount of respect for animals. But getting from there to a pet who is a sensory outlet and also a companion - that's a lot of responsibility to put on an animal. And I don't think he's at the point where he needs a specially-trained animal or anything, so....  :unsure:

 

Re the bolded -- On the whole I'd say that's not true at all. I think you can make (train) a not-people-friendly kitten to accept petting but you'll never ever make that kitten really, really like it. OTOH I do think that lots of petting as a young kitten can make a kitten who is already prone to being people friendly even more friendly. On the whole if I really needed a cat with a certain personality I'd absolutely be looking for an adult or at least an older kitten. No way would I place my bets on a super friendly cat being trained to be that way versus having that basic personality from birth. No way.

 

Do the smaller dogs need a lot of training?

 

I am a bit partial to cats. Unless you need to teach them to use a particular litter box, they mostly figure out their own needs. Dogs, on the other hand, walking, cleaning up after them, and obedience school, grooming, washing and so on. Maybe I've mostly known high-maintenance dogs, or fussy owners. But I don't want too much effort. I already have to be the maid and brain for three people in this house (I feel like, usually, on most days, lol)! I don't know if I can handle four.

 

I have a relative who has big Labs. Yes, they're great with kids. One of her dogs would start crying if you ignored him for longer than five minutes, so yeah, definitely attention seeking. But oh so strong and active!

 

Maybe when we go for fish supplies I can start asking around about what breeds are common in this area. I'm not sure what the Dutch equivalent of animal shelters would be.... we need a thinking emoji here, I'm thinking a lot. Think, think think.

 

 

If you are partial to cats, get a cat. 

 

I'd get a cat who is old enough to have a personality already evident, and to let it and your children meet and see if they bond before adopting/buying it.

 

Some cat breeds tend to be more lap-cat likely than others, but individuals also differ.  And cats even within a single litter can have a range of personality types, such as a shy run-away type cat, a friendly cat, an explorer independent cat, and a cat who scratches when it does not get its own way.  So choosing from cats who are adults or at least adolescents could be a help.  

 

 

I love dogs, but fully admit that dogs, even easy dogs, are almost always more work than an average cat.  Dogs can be sort of like having an extra perpetual toddler around.  Our current dog is very low maintenance, very short haired, very well behaved -- but he still needs things like nail trimming and walking that the cats do not need.  Unless you yourself want a dog and all that entails, don't get one.

 

All dogs need training. How much time and effort that takes can vary depending on the dog's basic personality/temperament and energy level.

 

I agree with Pen that if a cat is more appealing to you that's definitely the way you should go.

 

But as far as dogs being more work than cats -- I disagree with that, but I think it's an individual thing based on what you feel is "work." They all require things. Even though the dog requires more of my time for the most part I very much enjoy meeting his needs. I like to walk. I enjoy the time I spend grooming him. I like it that he takes his pee and poop outside, so I don't mind opening the door for him. ;) I really like that I don't have to lug heavy cat littler home from the store for him. The current pooch also sheds less than I do, which is absolutely not true of the cat. Between cleaning her litter boxes, brushing her (elderly cats often stop self grooming as much as they should), turning the bathroom faucet on for her on demand (even though she has a water fountain) and dealing with her shed fur I really think I spend more time on her than I do on the dog. So my perception is that the cat is really a LOT more work than the dog.

[Pen]

Re the bolded -- On the whole I'd say that's not true at all. I think you can make (train) a not-people-friendly kitten to accept petting but you'll never ever make that kitten really, really like it. OTOH I do think that lots of petting as a young kitten can make a kitten who is already prone to being people friendly even more friendly. On the whole if I really needed a cat with a certain personality I'd absolutely be looking for an adult or at least an older kitten. No way would I place my bets on a super friendly cat being trained to be that way versus having that basic personality from birth. No way.

 

 

 

 

All dogs need training. How much time and effort that takes can vary depending on the dog's basic personality/temperament and energy level.

 

I agree with Pen that if a cat is more appealing to you that's definitely the way you should go.

 

But as far as dogs being more work than cats -- I disagree with that, but I think it's an individual thing based on what you feel is "work." They all require things. Even though the dog requires more of my time for the most part I very much enjoy meeting his needs. I like to walk. I enjoy the time I spend grooming him. I like it that he takes his pee and poop outside, so I don't mind opening the door for him. ;) I really like that I don't have to lug heavy cat littler home from the store for him. The current pooch also sheds less than I do, which is absolutely not true of the cat. Between cleaning her litter boxes, brushing her (elderly cats often stop self grooming as much as they should), turning the bathroom faucet on for her on demand (even though she has a water fountain) and dealing with her shed fur I really think I spend more time on her than I do on the dog. So my perception is that the cat is really a LOT more work than the dog.

 

 

 Ah!  Okay different cats and very different circumstances!  Our cats come inside sometimes by invitation or by sneaking in, but they are outdoor cats primarily: No litter box ... actually there is one for "just in case" but basically no litter box.  I dislike dealing with litter boxes so even a cat I'd had who was  mostly an indoor cat was house trained so that he went out doors for peeing and pooping just like the dogs.  Rarely, I help with polydactyl claws, otherwise they are short haired and have been self grooming.  They have ordinary water bowls available/share with dog(s).  Don't get faucet service.  Are annoying sometimes about getting onto dining table though.

[Guest]

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Edited August 13, 2017 by Guest

[Pen]

Another thought, sensory seeking needs could increase/change. Possibly an elderly lap cat who needs a good home or a guinea pig would fit now, but maybe at 7yo or so, a pet who is more of a roughhousing or string chasing or adventure companion would be a better fit.

[Guest]

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Edited August 13, 2017 by Guest

[Guest]

One concern I would have with an elderly cat is lifespan. Of course you can't guarantee how long any pet will live but getting an elderly pet may leave you with a broken hearted child in a very short time. I would consider a young adult cat. By age 3 they have calmed down significantly.

[maize]

If you get a kitten I think it helps to spend some time with the mother--there is a strong genetic component to cat temperment so if the mother is cuddly and seeks human attention you have a better chance of the kitten being the same. Also look for a kitten who purrs whenever it is picked up.

 

You do not want an anxious cat.

 

We have three cats, one is a super cuddler.

[maize]

Our cats are very low maintenance. We keep food and water in their dishes, that's it.

 

They have a pet door so come and go as they please and do their pottying outside. Litter boxes and toddlers do not mix well!

[imagine.more]

We have a cat who is like a dream animal for kids with sensory issues. A friend of my son's has diagnosed SPD with sensory-seeking and she loved this cat. This cat loves rough petting! Like he just leans right into it. And he's a sturdy 12 lb muscly cat too so he can take it. So I do think there are certain animals that would work great for active, sensory-seeking kids. We're planning to get oldest DD a sturdy, trainable dog for similar reasons...to give her a healthy outlet for her sensory seeking, force her to get outside for walks, and as added security when she moves out someday since she's hearing impaired and VERY naive.

 

Cats and dogs are the sturdiest animals. Cats can be tough for kids to 'read'. My 1 year old does not get that my cat flicking her tail means she's angry, she thinks it's a game the cat is playing with her. Dogs are easier to read but require more care. Guinea pigs or rabbits are good small pets. We've had guinea pigs over the years and even at 3/4 the kids can do everything with them but clean the cage.

[Pen]

If you get a kitten I think it helps to spend some time with the mother--there is a strong genetic component to cat temperment so if the mother is cuddly and seeks human attention you have a better chance of the kitten being the same. Also look for a kitten who purrs whenever it is picked up.

 

You do not want an anxious cat.

 

We have three cats, one is a super cuddler.

 

 

We have 3  cats all from the same family (of cats), and one cat sibling deceased.  1: fearful, timid; 1: playful, cuddly, adventurous (only male of group, deceased); 1: sweet, cuddly; 1: bossy, cuddly, she will purr and cuddle for hours--unless she does not like something in which case she may dig in her claws or slap/scratch.  

 

They are 16ish years old and other than the one who died, all are healthy.  Some personality traits have gotten more extreme with time--especially, the bossy cat is more bossy.  Sweet, cuddly used to be much more active and playful, but has become an overweight porch potato. Fearful, timid disappears for days at a time.  Sweet and Fearful are both calico cats with extremely soft, soft fur, as has had a Siamese or Burmese type cat I once had--nice probably from an SPD pov. Bossy has stiffer fur and is not as delightful to the finger and she does not like the feeling of being "rubbed the wrong way."

Edited June 19, 2017 by Pen

[coastalfam]

I don't know if I would wish my two sensory kiddos sensory seeking behavior on just any animal. We have an amazingly patient Labradoodle who is wonderful to let our heavy sensation seeking older son cuddle *really* close. People comment on how amazing our dog is, and I just tell people, I think we a dumb-lucky that our dog is fine with close cuddles and people not getting the hint to give him space when he wants it. If I was to do it again, I would never raise a dog from a puppy with the expectation our kids would "use" him as a therapy dog. (That actually wasn't our expectation, but it's definitely what happened!) I think in the future we will go to a shelter to give animals a "test run" with our kiddos actual real-life sensory needs and habits with pets. I don't want to risk having to give up an animal because they hate having their moles rubbed, or their ears twirled, or their space continually invaded, or their bellies used as pillows for nap time. So I guess my official advice is, pets are great for sensory kids as long as you can find a way to get a sensory seeking pet! 

[Guest]

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Edited August 13, 2017 by Guest