The more we work with Valen the more we understand just how much he has to learn and how incredibly willing he is to do it! He has been working hard at home with his foster, learning the ways of a household life, and going out for training sessions everyday. In both scenarios, his curiosity more than anything drives his progress forward. What an incredible thing to find a mind so full of intelligence and a heart so free of anger. This is a special one. At home, Valen has crossed into moments of "exuberant." Trial half-barks have become real ones. Following foster-mom everywhere has become finding her. Playing with foster-poodle brother has become hurdling over him. Poking a toy has become digging through the bin to drag out the right one, He is startling less and forgiving more quickly. Though sometimes he still looks so desperately sad, Valen comes alive when it's time to play with foster-poodle brother. Nothing makes him nearly so happy; after all, there's no therapy like poodle-play! His progress is moving wonderfully fast--much faster than anyone could have guessed. There is still much to be done, however. Infections need to finish clearing. Grooming needs to become better tolerated. Children need to be able to come closer without panic. Indoor marking needs to cease. Safety commands need to be learned. Patterns to minimize separation anxiety potential need to be accepted. Touch on all parts of the body need to be become less scary. Stress of daily life needs to become much less. Confidence needs a GREAT deal more building. No doubt he will master and adjust to all these things with same success he has had thus far. Especially with all the help and support he is getting from you, his devoted fans. | Out and about, Valen is suddenly more concerned about missing seeing something new than seeing something scary. Fear while being lifted into the car has become an occasional willingness to jump in. Leash cluelessness has become a general accepting of the idea. Freezing in public is diminishing and becoming confidence to explore. Sheer terror of children has become cautious curiosity--from a distance. Physically, he is suddenly making great progress as well. Infections are healing. Clots are clearing. Hematomas are shrinking. Some of his incisions that had us concerned are now looking almost healed. Major goals are being reached. Avoiding touch of strangers has become accepting some of it--even taking a treat on occasion. Accepting some petting from regular visitors has become occasional soliciting it. Soliciting foster-mom to pet has become jumping on her. For those local to Dubuque, IA, we are now enlisting volunteers to work with Valen. Besides his time with his trainers, Valen needs time with those who would help expose and support him through his new discoveries about the world. A training session for those volunteering will teach the structured routine to follow and the easy guidelines for taking Valen out for a volunteer session. After your training session, scheduling a volunteer session with Valen is flexible and the session should take less than an hour of your day--while helping to give Valen an amazing recovery for years to come. If you'd like to know more about volunteering with Valen, please call 563-581-1821, email [email protected], or message us on Facebook. |