Animal Therapy for Asperger's Syndrome

April is Autism Awareness Month and as it is drawing to a close, I wanted to post at least once more on autism and the way it affects individuals.

Many of my readers already know that my grandson, Brandon, has Asperger's Syndrome. In March 2007, I saw an article in our local paper about the farm where I take the boys. It focused on animal therapy for individuals with disabilities both visible and invisible. It mentioned that animal therapy could aid those on the autism spectrum. I phoned the farm and made an appointment for Brandon to be assessed.

The farm accepted Brandon for animal therapy. Shortly thereafter, I had Jordan assessed. Both boys were eligible and so started our weekly trips to the farm.

At that time, there were numerous goats and horses at the farm. The boys saw pregnant goats, met the babies when they were born and experienced farm life. They bonded with the animals and learned about life and death. Because I grew up on the farm I wanted them to experience the circle of life and to understand that life is fragile. I also wanted them to benefit from the animal therapy.

Brandon has come a long way in the last year. He has learned to do things that he said he would never be able to do. He learned that he could sit with a baby goat on his lap and whisper his deepest fears and his secrets in its ear. He had no fear of that baby goat telling anyone what his feelings were. He didn't have to worry about the goat laughing at him or bullying him. The goat didn't care that he was different or that he thought a different way. The goat only wanted his love and to return that affection.

Today when I picked the boys up for the farm, Brandon was having a bad day. By the time we got to the farm, he was having a meltdown - not a major one, but a meltdown just the same. He said he was tired. He said he was sad. He didn't really know what he wanted to say, nor did he know what to do about it. At first he wouldn't get out of the car and so Jordan and I got out and left him. Sometimes that is the best thing we can do - give Brandon some quiet time. It didn't take long for him to get out of the car and we went to the barn. It was a chilly day with a strong wind and he complained all the way. I just kept the boys moving.

Once we were in the barn, Brandon headed to the stall where Matthew, the lamb and Chrissy, the baby goat are penned together. The babies were vying for Brandon's attention and it wasn't long until he was interacting with the animals. Then we saw Crackers lying in the paddock. I immediately wondered what was up as horses don't often lie down. We kept our eye on her and eventually she got up and was walking away from us. She was walking funny and I wondered if she was having some problems, but the more we watched her, the more we realized that there was something wrong with her back leg. She was lame and limping.

Brandon got so caught up with the animals that he forgot about his own troubles. He was in a much better mood as we headed home. The animals had worked their magic in his life once again.

Animal therapy has helped both of the boys a great deal, but I think it has helped Brandon the most in some ways. They are both learning lessons in the realities of life by watching the happenings on the farm. I would recommend animal therapy for anyone who is experiencing either physical or mental challenges.

Research has proven that animal therapy is good for people who are on the autism spectrum and Brandon has definitely benefited from having the animals in his life.

If you would like to read more about Asperger's and animal therapy, there is a good article HERE! Have a great Wednesday and remember to be kind to those who are different. Wouldn't this world be a dull place if we were all the same? ~Blessings, Mary~

Sad News from the Farm

Both boys came along to the farm today, but when we arrived there was sad news. Remember Rosie, the ewe? She was pregnant and about to give birth any day.

Above, she is helping herself to some hay. Well, Rosie went into labor on the weekend and it seems that one of her lambs were lodged up near her spine. The baby damaged the nerves along her spine and the message that she was giving birth did not get through to her brain. She was in a lot of pain when they found her. Rosie and both of the lambs died before the vet could arrive. If she had been found earlier, a cesarian section may have saved her, the lambs or both. Then again, maybe not. Life on a farm is fragile and these things happen. Both of the boys took the news well. I was quite proud of them. They are learning the lessons of the circle of life.

Little Matthew, above, was Rosie's baby from last year. He is so cute and growing every day. However, he misses his Mama and was blatting incessantly while we were there. Some believe animals have no feelings, but that is not what I believe. Having grown up on a farm, I know better.
The baby goat is the only one that is left. Her name is Crystal. Everyone calls her Chrissy. The boys enjoyed fetching some grain for Crystal and Matthew and they learned how to spread grain along in the feed trough. Crystal and Matthew were happy to eat what they provided.

According to Katie, who is the daughter of the owners, her father is going to an auction this Friday. He hopes to buy a female lamb about Matthew's age so he can breed them when they are old enough. This will be a welcome addition for the boys. She also told us that they are hoping to buy a few goats and some rabbits so they can have a petting pen for visitors this summer. That will be a lot of fun for all the kids.

The photos that I've posted today and ones that I've had for a while. I forgot to take the camera along. I don't have new batteries yet, but did get the camera to upload yesterday. I'm hoping that next week when we go to the farm there will be a new lamb to take photos of.

Not much other news from here. It was a beautiful spring day and the boys and I saw several pair of doves on the way to the farm. They both enjoy watching birds.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday and that the weather is nice wherever you are. I'm enjoying the lovely spring weather we're having right now. Have a great day and remember to give thanks for all you have. ~Blessings, Mary~

If you would like to have your name entered for a Christian fiction book, please go to my Pay It Forward Post and leave a comment stating that you'd like to participate. The contest ends at 12:01 my time on April 17th and the winner will be announced when I post on Thursday evening.

Show and Tell Friday, the Farm and a Meme

It's time for Show and Tell Friday. If you would like to participate, drop over to Kelli's at There's No Place Like Home.

This crystal angel came my way from a blogging friend at Christmas 2007 and was a complete surprise. I absolutely adore her. The photo doesn't do her justice but she is beautiful. She stands about 6 inches high and is 5.5 inches from front to back. The pink you can see through her is the lovely tea light candle that she is holding. I often turn out the lights and let this little angel guide my way. I keep her on my entertainment unit. She is a very treasured possession. Thank you once again my blogging friend. Your gesture touched my heart.

Tuesday Brandon and I went to the farm and we enjoyed a bit of one-on-one time. We didn't take any photos. We hadn't been for several weeks and since the weather was nice we decided to go and see if Rosie the sheep had given birth. She hadn't. Today, Jordan and I took our one-on-one time and he wanted me to take the camera along because he wanted to take photos.

Here he caught the baby lamb from last fall looking directly at the camera. I must say that he took his time and made sure he was going to get a good shot.


He thought it was cute because Matthew and the goat were staying close together. This isn't a bad photo either for someone who is only 10 years old.
The the baby goat stood on his hind legs and started eating hay. Jordan was delighted and snapped the photo above.

He soon tired of taking photos and was off to play on the trampoline. The boy next door came running over to play with him and they spent about 20 minutes having fun. While they were doing that, one of the girls from the farm were watching them and I decided to go and see the horses. Meet Cracker, above. I love his gentle nature.

Don't let anyone tell you that horses don't take care of each other. The barnyard is very muddy because of all the melting snow and the rain we've had this spring. The horses are muddy and here cracker is pulling mud out of Max's hair.

When Crackers finished with Max, I whistled and called him over. Yes, I can whistle and yes, he did come. Here he is wanting some attention.
Then he turned his head as if to say, "This is my best profile." He began to scratch his nose on the fence so I gave his head and neck a good rubbing. He basked in the attention, though he gets lots from the people who live on the farm.

Max didn't want to be left out, so came over to have his photo taken as well. I rubbed his head and neck as well. These horses are Heflinger's and they are beautiful. The three girls that live on the farm will bring all of the horses in tomorrow, clean them up and give them a good brushing. They will look much like this within a day.

After the farm, Jordan and I stopped at Tim Horton's, washed our hands and I bought him a milk. He always gets quite thirsty when he goes to the farm and of course he knows we have to pass the coffee shop on our way home. We had a wonderful couple of hours together.


Now you may wonder why, since Easter is over, that I decided to post a picture of Jesus on the cross. Grams at Talk to Grams tagged me to do this meme. I've done this one before and it was easy to do, so I decided to do it again.

The Rules:
1. Write your own six-word memoir about yourself.
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you'd like.
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible, so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.
4. Tag five more blogs with links.
5. And don't forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

My six word memoir: He died that I might live.

Since I've done this before and tagged people, I am not going to tag anyone for this one. However if you do decide to partipate, please leave a comment so I can come and read your memoir.

I saw this meme over at Hootin' Anni's and thought it would be fun. For those who don't already know, Anni and I are good blogging buddies. We talk almost everyday and we have come to agree that we are kindred spirits. Now when I saw this, I realized that there are more things that Anni and I have in common.

The Name Game

Your rock star name (first pet, current car) Jack Ford. A very common name at that. Not something that a rock star would be likely to use.

Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal) Green Wolf. Not sure about Green Wolf but at least Wolf fits for Native American. Gray Wolf would have been better. Sorry, my favorite color is green.

Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name) Alw -Ma. I think this kind of sounds like something or someone in pain. Well, you never know with Star Wars.

Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink) Purple T. I shortened my favorite drink, which is a good cuppa tea to T. Sounds more like a superhero - Remember Mr. T.

NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers) William Bertrum. Bertrum William? Whadda think?

Stripper name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) I don't have a favorite cologne, so that is out. But I do have a favorite fragrance. How about Lilac Chocolate or Chocolate Lilac. Do you think that sounds like a name for a stripper?

TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Chrysler Charlottetown. Charlottetown is the capital city of Prince Edward Island.

Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Spring Rose Spring is my favorite season because it is a time of rebirth and I have always loved roses since I was a little girl. Climbing roses are my very favorite, but I also love tea roses, floribunda roses and any other kind of rose.
Cartoon name: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now) Raspberry Jeans

Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Orange Willow. Think it fits? A good name for a hippie, don't you think?

Porn star name (first pet, first street where you lived) Jack Spring. Guess that would be okay for a male porn star. LOL Maybe Jackie Spring?

Thanks, Anni. I had a lot of fun doing this.

A week or so ago, I sent Anni her Pay it Forward gift and she's already received it. Drop by her blog to see what I sent her.

To Pea and Denise, remember that you can receive yours Pay it Forward gift anytime during the year, which ends in January 2009. LOL You'll never know when to expect a parcel in your mailbox.
Last but not least, be sure to stop by Mary's Vintage Flea Market and take a look at the cute things I have to offer for sale this week. There are rooster mugs, a Trust the Lord print, Fairy prints and some other items. You can also find out how to participate in Friday Flea Market by following the link from Mary's Vintage Flea Market. Join in the fun! Buy, sell or just browse and leave comments.

Have a wonderful weekend and spend some time outdoors. This is great weather for getting some exercise and enjoying the harbingers of spring. ~Blessings, Mary~

Tuesday at the Farm

On Tuesday it was Brandon's turn to go to the farm. When we were only a block from his house, he said, "Grandma, we need to go back home. We need to get some apples?"

"Why, are you hungry?" I asked. (Duh)

"No Grandma, we need apples to feed the horses."

So Grandma turned around and went back. We hurried into the house and grabbed a handful of McIntosh apples. We were running late as it was. However, we know we are always welcome at the farm. If no one has the time to accompany us, we strike out on our own.

When we arrived, everyone was busy. I had the camera in hand and we headed to the goat pen to see if we could get a picture of Baby Pueblo. We did. He's the small goat in the forefront of the photo.

Then, into the barn to see King Arthur. Brandon hadn't seen him yet. When King saw Brandon coming, he nickered softly and pushed his neck forward. Though Brandon was clear across the barn, King knew he had those apples.

Brandon enjoyed feeding King the apples. But when King started grabbing at his shirt with his teeth, Brandon became a little leary. Come to find out that King does this when he wants attention.

We stayed with King about a half hour and then Cassie came along. Brandon fed both Cassie and King some hay from a nearby bale. He loved that the horses liked him and were eating out of his hands.

Then it was off to the trampoline where Brandon had about a half hour of good exercise. He isn't much for sports but he loves bouncing on the trampoline. In fact, Brandon loves everything at the farm and seems to be in his element there. He is a different kid when he's on the farm and he's learned so many new things since he started going there in March. It's given him a world of confidence. He's learning about the world in a different light than he's ever seen it before. And that's a good thing.