Canine pal provides calm for Sherwood boy with special needs

By Barbara Sherman

The Sherwood Gazette, Sep 24, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

GOOD FRIENDS — Patricia and Ignacio Hidalgo and their son Alex have welcomed Walker, a skilled companion dog provided by Canine Companions for Independence, into the family to help Alex, who has a form of autism.

BARBARA SHERMAN / Sherwood Gazette

ADVERTISEMENTS

The Hidalgo family of Sherwood has a new addition - Walker, a skilled companion dog — who has transformed their lives.

Patricia and Ignacio Hidalgo's 10-year-old son Alex has a form of autism and is in a self-contained special education classroom at Edy Ridge Elementary School because he can be aggressive toward other children, according to Patricia.

“Although he dearly loves his family members, Alex doesn’t like strangers and has no human friends, but he loves animals, especially dogs,” she said. “The funny thing is, dogs love him back and have a special connection with him.”

Two years ago Patricia, after researching on the Internet various groups that provide companion dogs, applied to Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization, to get a dog to help Alex.

“In May (2009), it was finally our turn to go down to Santa Rosa , Calif., for two weeks of team training,” Patricia said.

Ignacio spent one week there but had to return to Oregon for work, so he is not certified to handle Walker as a skilled companion dog like Patricia is.

The arrival of Walker, who is three-quarters Labrador retriever and one-quarter golden retriever, has totally transformed the Hidalgo family’s life.

“My hope for Alex was that his assistance dog Walker would improve his quality of life, give him a four-footed friend and help him to take pride in assisting me with Walker’s care,” Patricia said. “Walker is so calm that he models good behavior for Alex. Ever since we got Walker, when we are out in public together, Alex walks by my side, holding onto Walker.

“He used to run away from me and hide or run into the street, which was very dangerous, and I was constantly worried about going out in public. It is amazing how well trained these dogs are and how helpful they can be to people with disabilities.”

Alex has been diagnosed with partial agenesis of the corpus callosum and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, and while he is very verbal, he can be a handful.

“It’s a challenge, because it’s not full autism,” Ignacio said.

Patricia added, “Alex is getting bigger — I can’t put him in the grocery cart any more, but he remains calm when he is with Walker. Walker sleeps in Alex’s bed, which they both enjoy. Walker is very sweet, very loving and patient. When I take Alex to the doctor, he will pet Walker for 20 minutes while we wait. Before, he was just too active.”

Ignacio added, “Before Walker came, it was hard for Alex to sleep in his own room. That is probably the single biggest benefit to this — we get a good night’s sleep.

“And before, when we went out to restaurants, Alex would get restless before the food came, or if he finished eating first, he would want to leave while we were still eating.”

For Patricia, the fact that Alex has a friend in Walker, who is 2 years old, is also important.

“The dog loves everybody — he wiggles his whole rear end instead of just his tail when he is happy or excited,” Patricia said. “He gravitates toward me because I feed him. He gets up with me in the morning and then senses when Alex wakes up and goes to him.”

While Patricia is a certified companion dog handler, she pointed out that she, Alex and Walker are a team and must stay together when Walker is on duty.

1 | 2 Next Page >>