J.C.isabitafraidofdogs.HismotherisgoingtohavesurgeryandJ.C.willbespendingtimeatthehomeofmyfriends.

TheyhaveaScottishTerrierpuppywholoveslittleboys.IfJ.C.canlearntoplaycomfortablyandconfidentlywithBan-righ,hewillfeelmoresecurewhenhestaysthere.

IofferedtohelpJ.C.developskillsinplayingwithBan-righbyusingfactualdescriptionsandnon-verbalandvocalrecognition.

J.C.says,"She'stryingtobiteme!"

Six-year-oldJ.C.MeetsThree-month-oldBan-righ

AfterIhadgivenJ.C.somereassuringhugsandpatsalongwiththumbsup,Isaid,"J.C.isplayingwithBan-righ."

Afterthat,J.C.waswillingtogetdownfromthecouchandgooutside.

Heisstillnotcomfortablewhenshejumpsup,butheisnotrunningaway.

Backinthehouse,J.C.startedtoplaywithBan-righ.

ThisiswhatIsaid.

"Wow!"

"Youarebothpullingontherag."

"J.C.islookingatBan-righ."

"Heissmiling."

"Sheissmiling,too."

Iwaspleasedtoseethattrustwasgrowingbetweenboyandpuppy.

ThatwassomuchfunthatJ.C.tookBan-righoutsideforadigginglesson.

"Youareshowingherhowtodig."

"Sheisaterrier.Terriersliketodig."

"Thatholeisgettingdeep."

DaringtogetdownonherlevelandworktogetheronaprojectearnedJ.C.apatonthebackandakissonthetopofhishead.

AfterracingaroundthebackyardwhileIcheeredthemon,theyheadedbacktothehouseforawaterbreak.J.C.letBan-righfollowrightonhisheels.

"Youbothranfast."

"Youhavealittleblackshadow."

Byplayingtogether,J.C.andBan-righarelearningtolikeandrespecteachother.Icanseefriendshipgrowing.

WhenBan-righhadstartedchewingonmysandal,Igaveheratoytochewon.Sheacceptedthereplacement.

Whenshestartedchewingonthebasket,J.C.gotherboneandencouragedhertochewonitinstead.

"Youaretrainingher,too."

"Yougothertostopbitingherbasket."

ItwasgoodtoseeJ.C.worksowellwithBan-righ.Icouldtellthattheywerelearningtogetalongwell,soeachgotafriendlypat.

Ban-righislearningtocometouswhenwesay,"Ban-righ,come."Sheoftengetsatreatforthis.

J.C.askedifhecouldtry.Hecalledher,andshecamerighttohim.Hebentdown,handedherthetreat,pattedher,andalsousedafactualdescription.

"YoucamewhenIcalledyou!"

ItlooksasifJ.C.islearningmorethanonething.Iwassopleased,IgaveJ.C.ahug.

Afterhehadhisowndinner,J.C.heldafrozentreatinhishandwhileBan-righateit.Whatashowofconfidence!

WeareallhappywithJ.C.'snewskillsinplayingwithBan-righ.Weknowthathehasovercomehisfearandisreadytocomeandstay.

J.C'smomanddadareproudofhim,too.Theyknowhewillfeelcomfortablewhilehevisitstherewithoutthem.

UsingthemethodsIlearnedinthismoduletoaccomplishthismademefeellikeIwanttokeeppracticingexpressingwarmththisway.

AndIwanttotakethenextmodule.

ProjectofUnderstanding

ModuleD1ExpressingWarmthtoChildren

ChariseMiller