Reaching out: A request for help.

Yesterday, after an extremely busy day, I was invited by my mom to attend a seminar. She had already registered us (always thinking ahead!) and stated that with all I've been doing lately, its a perfect topic : "How to manage your stress". Stress. THAT'S what this feeling of clenching my chest, sweaty palms and rapid breathing is! You see, work - my work in AAT - is not stressful to me. Its a joy. The stress comes from outside sources, of which we all face and will continue to face (unfortunately) until we die. That being said, I knew if I wanted to continue my journey in AAT and make it a success, I could definitely use some pointers to see how to easier manage it!


The seminar was an hour, and was fantastic. Our speaker was eloquent, graceful and seemingly stress-free thanks to her simple breathing techniques and warm personality. Nonetheless, I figured even if i didnt remember ALL of her pointers, at least I would remember a few. Breathe from the diaphragm and be aware of your "hot button"; a thing(s) that gets under your skin, sets you off...makes you upset. Genius if you ask me!

After leaving the library, I received an email from *Jose. He is a married father of one, a teenage boy who has just entered adolescence. He wrote me an extremely touching email reflecting on the difficulty and challenges him and his wife faced with their son as he "grew up", and how his sons physician prescribed the best medicine of all. He didnt reach for a prescription pad and scribble out the first remedy that came to mind. Instead, he was mindful. He told this loving family to try a pet if they could - any pet. A fish, a hamster, something to give their son purpose.

It didnt work.

They tried a hamster as suggested, but their son wasn't intrigued. Video games and basketball after school was much more important to this young boy then hanging out with a rodent, and perhaps, we can all identify in some way. His parents then tried a rabbit and the result was not much different. Needless to say, Jose and his wife were becoming worried about their sons health, his increasing anger and what the outcome could and possible would be if they didnt get help. After a year of trying other more conventional therapies, Jose and his family along with his sons physician decided on a dog. They had done research and his son seemed excited about the new addition to their family, and promised to walk their new friend twice daily - even right after school. This time, it was different. This time, Jose's son dove in head first and didn't look back. It has been a year and the child's grades have improved, as well as his frustration and bursts of anger and resentment. Although he is not ready to fully embrace counselling, his son is opening up to possibilities, which in itself is amazing.

Where lies the trouble? The family has medical support. They have a dog which provides love, support and unconditional respect. They now laugh together, and have dinner together. The condo board however, doesn't want this to continue. Presently, I have been asked to help Jose and his family keep their pet. Even though they have medical records, they have letters from doctors, they have progress reports, their canine companion is up to date on shots, trained and hardly aggressive. Elderly in the building are allowed to keep cats and/or small dogs if the pets are elderly themselves, but what about the rest of us? The individuals with mobility concerns, with macular degeneration, heart disease, with cognitive disorders or debilitating anxiety. All of these concerns can have their symptoms relieved and in some cases improved with the help of a therapy animal and a realistic, attainable goal. This is why understanding alternative therapies is such an important message and this is why I hope to help Jose and his wife and son keep their four legged friend for life.

Photo from:
http://www.scenicreflections.com/media/494726/DOG_AND_HIS_BOY_Wallpaper/