Chi has his issues, as I have gone on about before. He can startle and scream and go from bad to worse before I know what started it all. He has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. I haven't done much traditional therapy with the diagnosis. I do try to be aware of that side of things and work with him to process unexpected events instead of pushing and escalating the issues.
I have heard of therapy animals, and I feel like I am getting some bonus therapy lately. Watching Chi with all of the new animals he is the happiest kid around. The puppies and kittens bump, tug, roll, and climb all over him and he loves it. He is always carrying a kitty or a puppy. He is not at all afraid of the goats in the pasture. If I have any issues it is getting him to stay back at times.
Even with duck herding Chi is in on the action. We herd our ducks to the pond and we herd them to their little house in the evening where they get safety from predators and a nice meal. The herding is noisy and unpredictable, but Chi even loves the ducks. There is not an animal on this property that sets Chi off. When he is upset you can set a kitten on his lap and he is a new kid.
Chi has struggled with empathy and cause and effect in relationships. But with animals he seems to understands that the animals can be scared or hurt or happy or sad. He understands his actions affect their feelings and how much they want to be around him. He coaches everyone else on how to treat the animals.
I am loving on Chi lately. He has been a happy boy and I think all the animal snuggles have helped him regulate big time.
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