Taylor Wallace told Sara, her mother Sara, that she was ready for lunch with her friend and that she was also hungry.
As she made her way towards the garage to put her boots on, she held George, a long, black Goldendoodle. Taylor had just met her new service animal the previous day.
Taylor spent the whole morning with George, lying down on the ground next to him, pressing her nose against him, and trying to feed him more treats.
“Taylor’s had a huge smile on her face,” Sara said. “It’s been fun, but a bit of a learning curve trying to get them to bond, and it’s a lot of work. They were both really tired yesterday.”
4E Kennels Healing Hearts recommended the Wallace family to be a nominee for a service pet. The non-profit organization has its headquarters in Las Vegas and trains service and therapy dogs with children and adults with PTSD. This week George was presented to the Wallaces. The Engelstad Foundation funded George’s placement with the Wallaces.
4E Kennels Healing Hearts provides service animals training for institutions, including schools, courts, and funeral homes. Jeanette Forrey, the group’s founder, stated that they have adopted more than 30 dogs across the country.
George will give Taylor individual attention because he has apraxia (a speech-sound problem). Apraxia is a condition in which speech patients have difficulty communicating their needs clearly and consistently. This can lead to frustration and temper tantrums.
George is also trained in body blocking, which allows him to place himself between his owner or other people in public spaces. Taylor will feel better if she becomes angry.
Sara remarked, “We’re looking for someone to help her refocus.” “With the hurdles to communication, it will still happen.”
Taylor had become frustrated earlier in the morning, when she was unable to communicate with her family. As soon as George walked up to Taylor, she began to stroke him.
Sara hopes the connection will enable her to master and acquire new vocabulary terms. Taylor’s vocabulary ranges from 12 to 20 words and names when she is at home, but Sara noted that at speech therapy, her pool is a little larger.
Forrey will work with the Wallaces during this transition for three consecutive days while he is visiting Missoula. On Wednesday, Taylor and the 4E Kennels Healing Hearts team focused on making a connection to George. On Thursday afternoon, the group went out to eat before going to Taylor’s speech therapy appointment. This was their first outing in public.
Forrey stated that her dogs take around three weeks to adjust to a new home and family. She produces and trains goldendoodles because of their work ethic, trainability, and laid-back nature.
Taylor, currently in seventh grade will attend school in Clinton with George.
Missoulian
