How Animal-Assisted Therapy Helped Tomas Walk Tall
by Dog Whisperer Paul Owens

Tomas was in fourth grade. He was a nice, polite little guy but was very shy and had low self-esteem. He also had problems accepting responsibility. “Tomas will always start a program but will never finish it,” said his counselor. “This has got him into a lot of trouble in school. He doesn’t complete assignments and is always late. It’s almost as if, since he feels he isn’t good at anything, he deliberately became ‘good’ at being irresponsible.” Tomas’ teachers hoped our animal-assisted therapy program, Paws for Peace, might help him reach out more and become successful at applying himself.

The first day of class was held without dogs, except for my Portuguese water dog, Molly. She has been my trustworthy partner for 13 years and has probably been petted by 5,000 children over the years. She helps children learn how to approach and pet dogs, and also demonstrates "dog-speak," the body language dogs use to communicate. Molly is God's gift to children, the world, and especially me. She is also blind.

On the second day, Tomas and the rest of the children were introduced to their dogs, most of which were rescue dogs from the Glendale Humane Society in California. Tomas’ dog was a two-year old mixed Briard named Buck. They hit it off immediately.

The children soon had the dogs sitting and lying down, staying in place and going to their beds. They learned they could get the dogs to do these things without having to hit, kick, shake, or jerk them on a leash. They trained and groomed the dogs with kindness and affection, and listened to their dog's heartbeat through a stethoscope when a guest veterinarian visited to talk about health.

The high point of each class was the daily walk. The children were taught how to hold the leash, have their dog sit before crossing the street (at a low traffic cul-de-sac), and occasionally ask the dog to come when called while walking. Of course, every walk inevitably turned into a run. Seeing ears flapping, tails wagging and children joyously yelling while running downhill after their dogs summed up the Paws for Peace program perfectly. For some of these children, Paws for Peace provides rare opportunities for them to actually be children. They can have fun in a safe environment and know they are protected. We see the joy in their beaming faces and feel their happiness and trust.

The children are allowed two absences from the program. After that, they are asked to leave. I told the children there was only one way to get back into class, but I wasn’t going to tell them what it was. Tomas had a very good record of being on time, but had already missed two classes. At the end of the third week, he told me he would like to go on a field trip with another class.

“Tomas, you’ve already missed your two classes,” I said. “If you miss another, you can’t stay in the program. It’s your choice.”

Tomas rejoined the other children and I could tell he was thinking about what to do. He had really come to love Buck. But he decided to go on the field trip and was absent next day.

At the start of week four, class was about to begin when a very small old woman got out of a cab and walked slowly up the hill, supported by Tomas. They came to the edge of the field and before I could approach and greet them, the woman pointed toward me and gave Tomas a little shove. I said hello to him and asked him who the woman was. He said it was his grandmother.

“Mr. Owens,” he stammered. I could tell this was very difficult for him, but he forced himself to speak. “I think I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have gone on the field trip. I miss Buck. I’m sorry. I would like to come back.”

“Did your grandmother tell you to rejoin the class?” I asked.

“No,” he said. “I went to her and asked what I should do.”

“Will you be on time and not miss another class?”

“I promise,” he replied.

“Do you remember when I said there was only one thing a student could do to get back in class?” I asked. “Well, this was the one thing. You were very brave. I think you will do what you say you’ll do. Go get your treat pack and say hello to Buck. He missed you.”

Tomas’ face lit up and he ran to his grandmother. She smiled and Tomas went and greeted Buck with joy. I went to escort his grandmother back to her cab.

“Mr. Owens, Tomas was very sad,” she said. Her English wasn’t very good. “He cry all week. I tell him he must finally finish what he start. I tell him it was time for him to be a man.” The old woman began to cry as she continued. “You do not know how important this is. Tomas have no father or mother. He have only me and this dog. This is what he tell me. You give him another chance. I thank you.”

From that day on, Tomas was true to his word. He volunteered to clean up after class and to walk the dogs to the cars. At graduation, this shy little boy got up in front of 40 people and showed them what he had learned. Buck sat, laid down, came when called and stayed in position as Tomas walked around him. His counselor was there and, of course, so was his grandmother. When Tomas finished, they both rose from their seats and applauded with everyone else. Tomas and Buck seemed to hug each other.

It is for children like Tomas that the Paws for Peace program was created. One by one, with the help of animals, each child learns that there are other ways to get along with family, friends, and the environment – ways that can replace fear, anger, and frustration. With the generous assistance of loving volunteers, children learn the value of empathy, respect, nonviolence and responsibility. In short, they learn that kindness and compassion can and do work.