Conner Who Has Non-Verbal Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) And Ellie Both Have Challenges That Life Has Placed Before Them, But Together The Pair Would Make The Perfect Dynamic Duo In Overcoming Any Obstacle Placed Before Them.
|
|
Connor and Ellie share an incredible bond that goes beyond words and commands so unlike most human-dog relationships those are not part of the bond that has been created between the two.
Boxers are well-known kid-friendly dogs, but "There is definitely something special about Ellie,” said Brandi, who lives with her family in Cocoa, Florida. “When Connor has tantrums she will stand over him as if to comfort him. When he is upset, Connor will immediately go to Ellie for comfort.”
When Brandi and her husband, Chad Guillet, 45, logistics manager for the Navy, Air Warfare Center, Orlando and a member of the Florida Air National Guard, adopted their son Connor, they knew the road ahead would be difficult.
Conner was born addicted to opiates and had to undergo a detox program. Genetic testing further revealed that he would also have special needs and medical issues, but none that would deter them from adopting this precious four-week-old child. “He needed a family and we wanted a family. It was a match made in heaven,” said Brandi.
When Brandi shared the story of her son and his best friend with a Facebook page called Deaf Dogs Rock, after reading the post and seeing that beautiful picture of the pair, it's no wonder the story went viral.
“Children with autism may especially benefit from interacting with dogs, which can provide unconditional, nonjudgmental love and companionship,” said Dr. Gretchen Carlisle, a research fellow with the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, who authored a study on the subject.
|
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder present from early childhood that impairs a person’s ability to communicate and interact socially with others. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies 1 in 68 American children as on the autism spectrum, with over three million people affected in the U.S.
Brandi believes there is something special about the connection that can form between people on the autism spectrum and dogs. “Connor can tantrum and meltdown badly and it can be loud. Ellie just stands over him, it’s as if she knows he needs comfort, but she can’t hear the noise so it doesn’t make her nervous. ” The couple already had a boxer — eight-year-old Chowda — and had never considered adopting a deaf dog. But after attending a rescue event and meeting at Coastal Boxer Rescue they knew they wanted to foster Ellie. |
“When Jon showed me that Ellie responds to sign I had a light bulb go off,” said Brandi. “She let Connor go up to her, touch her face and kiss her and put his arms around her neck to hug her. She was beyond gentle with him.” Brandi is awaiting papers to make Ellie’s adoption official.
Jon Nowlin, who has been a volunteer and behavioral trainer with CBR for the past five years and is known as the “Deaf Dog Whisperer,” said he has trained many deaf dogs and that they are among the easiest to train because they follow commands almost effortlessly and without distraction.
“Don’t discredit special needs animals,” he said. “We tell people time and time again that deaf dogs do not know that they are deaf!” He advises potential foster parents to not rush the adoption and to trust the recommendation of the shelter or foster parents. “If you are looking for an addition to your family, taking the extra time to correctly introduce them will pay off in the long run,” he said.
Brandi says that even though Ellie is deaf, she doesn’t require any special care. “It’s just a little different to get her attention than it is with other dogs,” she said. “And she is super smart. Anyone who can sign can communicate with a deaf dog. Boxers are working though! They are goofy, silly, playful and loving.”
Click on any image to open gallery viewer
|
|
Related Stories
A $1 Donation Can Help Keep Wildlife Planet Open.
We need your donations to stay open, but the animals need your help more. So we have a $1 max donation policy. If you like our reporting and if you can help.Then please use this link below and donate your $1.
We appreciate your help and hope to keep exposing those who want to profit off animals by taking advantage of good-hearted souls who only want to help the animals who have been exploited for far too long.
If you would like to donate your $1 please click here... Thank you so very much
We need your donations to stay open, but the animals need your help more. So we have a $1 max donation policy. If you like our reporting and if you can help.Then please use this link below and donate your $1.
We appreciate your help and hope to keep exposing those who want to profit off animals by taking advantage of good-hearted souls who only want to help the animals who have been exploited for far too long.
If you would like to donate your $1 please click here... Thank you so very much