Story seven
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Mum has told me that we have started a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Centre at our place. I asked her what does that mean?
She said that sometimes little people may think and behave differently to others. She told me that this is called Autism Spectrum Disorder. She said that these little people have a really hard time trying to understand how to live with others. Because they think differently, and a lot of the time other people do not understand them, they can be very unhappy.
I asked mum about the little boy who came to see us who could only say the words “donkey, donkey”. Mum said the little boy was Autistic. “Well, if he doesn’t speak, why did he keep saying donkey, donkey?” Mum said that he did that because we had helped him feel good about himself. That little boy still doesn’t speak and he is learning to talk using his fingers and hands.
Boy, I had no idea that we can make such a difference.
Last week a little girl came to see us. She spoke really fast and with a loud voice and she kept running around everywhere which made us wonder what was happening. Mum told me that we will be helping this little girl. She said that this little girl is on the Autism Spectrum.
Mum said that our work in the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Centre is to help people learn how to feel good about themselves. If people can talk and listen to us, walk and lead us, touch and cuddle us this gives them feelings of self-value, respect, confidence, empathy, gentleness, consideration and trust. All the things they may be missing in people with Autism.
Mum then went on to explain what we are doing for people.
In the first session we are introduced to the person to see if they like us and if we like them. The people may touch us, brush us and take us on a short walk.
Other sessions involve many things
We have chair conversations
This is where the person sits in a chair and we are able to walk up to them when we want to. This happens in our stable, show paddock or pond paddock. The person can brush us, talk to us, and cuddle us if they want to. Everyone is equal. The person does not control us. We come to them because we want to. This gives the person a wonderful feeling of self-value.
We have learning to walk with us as we follow the person down to one of our paddocks
The person also learns to put our halters on, how to approach us from the side and not front on with an outstretched hand. This is frightening when we do not know them. When a person learns this they are showing confidence, respect and consideration.
We also have talking and learning to listen to what we are saying
I am the speaker of our group as I make snorting noises when I am talking. The others don’t do this, instead they bray which is a very loud noise. If you ask me a question you have to listen very closely when I give you the answer. When a person learns how to communicate with us they are showing empathy, trust, and confidence.
We have learning to watch our body movements
When we are speaking to each other we move our head and body in different ways to give the message of what we are thinking. After a person understands what we are saying with our head, eyes, tail and body movement they should be able to understand the body movements of people.
We have learning how to take care of us
This includes cleaning our eyes, brushing us, lifting our feet, massaging our muscles, looking after our ears and how much we should eat depending on the time of the year. In spring if we eat too much young grass we can become very sick. The person learns how to keep us healthy and happy. By taking care of us the person learns how to take care of others, not just themselves.
We have learning how to be a friend
We know what our role in life is. We are born with a desire to want to be with people. We are generous, kind and like to make friends. The people who come to see us can choose whoever they want to be their special friend. There is me of course, and Angela, Bentley and our new baby Georgina. Georgina is Angela’s sister. Mum is training her in the skills she needs so that she can do the work that we do.
Recently Bentley became very good friends with a little boy called Noah. Noah and his sister Verity have written this story called DONKEY BOY.
This is a story of a boy called Noah and his friend Bentley, the donkey. The wonderful adventures they have and the friendships that they share together.
Bentley is in his stable eating his breakfast of chaff. He is excited because Noah is coming to visit today. Bentley hears a car arrive, the other donkeys rush to the gate but I make sure that I get to Noah first to greet him.
Noah always has a big smile when he sees me. He gives the best hugs. I love it when he brushes me and scratches my bum. When it comes time for lead practice, I can sometimes misbehave but I always make sure he knows I am sorry.
We walk together to the treaty paddock. This is my favourite time of the day. It has a big hill that I can run up and jump off the other side. I love it when Noah comes up the top of the hill with me. We have lots of fun.
It is always sad when Noah goes but I know he will come back again soon.
So you can see that our work is very important and we love doing it. We hope you will come and visit us.