Once upon a time, until Indie was 5.5yrs, Indie had no fear of thunderstorms. That changed the day he was entered in a herding test and a storm approached. We found out on our drive home that a tornado had struck only a mile from the site, so he had plenty of weather to cause some anxiety. Ever since he has been somewhat anxious during storms, though he has improved with some "jolly routine" training when it storms.
But the help I am writing about comes from his experience in the summer Paws to Read reading program at our library where Indie listens to children
who read to him. The very 1st day of the program it was storming and he had been slightly anxious. Once the kids started reading to him, on his blanket, he promptly fell asleep! The room where the kids read to dogs is now his cue to relax. Today after about 10 minutes, he flopped on his side, head on his child's lap and she giggled as she tried to get her book out from under his head. He didn't budge because he was so relaxed. This from the
dog who has been nicknamed "Ever Ready" because he is always ready to go/train/etc...
Of course I am writing not only about what has helped resolve some
anxiety on Indie's part, but about how the Paws to Read program benefits
the kids. It has been discussed on the list before. It is a wonderful
program for the kids and the side effects for Indie have been a pleasant
surprise! If you have a chance to get involved in a program like Paws to
Read - I highly recommend you do. (and I am not seriously suggesting
that anyone use it to treat fear of thunderstorms - but it is working for Indie)
Jill with Indie and Gabby
