Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 93 - The Decision

Greg and Susan had to wait a week for their consultation appointment with Melody's pediatrician, Dr. Bowers. Susan couldn't help wondering if the family's interest in owning a dog would wane during the intervening days. Instead she found the girls seeking out Zackary's advice for where the dog should be fed or how to prepare its bed, where they could take it for walks and how to go about cleaning up the poop afterwards.

"There's this special tool you can get to scoop it up," Zack told them.

"Ewe," Jessie told him. "Do you have to touch it with your hands?"

"Nah, you pick it up with a shovel and put it in a bag," Zack explained. "It's sort of gross, but you don't have to actually touch it or anything."

Finally the day came for the appointment. Zack, Jessie, Matt and Ashley were all in school, so Susan made arrangements with Marion to watch Melody for them at her house while she and Greg went to talk with the doctor.

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"So what do you think?" Susan asked Dr. Bowers when they explained their thoughts about getting a dog and what they wanted to know.

"Animals can be very good for children," the doctor told them. "For disabled children in particular, the presence of a well-trained animal can be very beneficial."

"In what way? For companionship you mean?" Susan asked.

"There is that aspect of it certainly. But a well-trained dog can be more than a companion, Susan. They can become a protector when you can't be with her. They can provide her with a certain amount of independence, without ever really being alone. They can get help if she needs it or keep her from doing things that are dangerous when you aren't around. Even with her ongoing difficulties, Melody has moved beyond babyhood. She will need to learn to socialize more and interact with other children. A service animal can help her to do that safely as she prepares eventually to go to school," Dr. Bowers said.

"What sort of animal do you recommend?" Greg asked. "Not a puppy, if the animal needs to be specially trained."

"Probably not a puppy," Dr. Bowers agreed, "though with that being said, Melody will need to be a little bit older to gain the most benefit from having an animal of that sort. Given that, it is not impossible for you to start with a puppy now, provided it has the appropriate temperament, then work with a trainer and go from there. The time Melody needs to mature will allow the puppy to grow and be trained. By the time the dog is ready for special training, Melody will be older, she will be acclimated to the dog and he will know her too. That way they could both be ready for school when it is time for her to go. I do feel a larger breed dog, one that capable of physically supporting the disabled child is best for someone like Melody; however it is the special training of dog rather than the breed which is important. The dog would be young, but it wouldn't be a puppy by the time it is qualified to serve Melody," Dr. Bowers said.

"I see. Don't service dogs require special handling?" Susan wondered. "If we get a dog, my hope is it would become a member of the family and be one we could all enjoy and play with, not only for Melody."

"I understand, however given Melody's disabled status and her recent cardiac difficulties, having a dog trained as an alert dog could be of some benefit," Dr. Bowers said.

"What do you mean by an alert dog?" Greg asked.

"One trained to help protect her and to sound the alarm or to go for help in the event Melody experiences difficulties. Given what you've shared about recently moving her bedroom in your house, that's not a bad idea. It can provide her with more independence and you the security of knowing there is someone who can alert you in the event she needs help," Dr. Bowers said. "Through Dr. Lin, I know of several patients who have one."