Feb
24
My volunteering at The Lab began with a mentorship experience with a young man “R”. The healing I witnessed with the young man and the bond/trust that developed between “R” and Ahnung helped me in my own healing.
This morning I found myself reflecting back on when Ahnung first came into my life. From the first time I laid eyes on Ahnung I just knew there was something about her … I can’t pin point what it was exactly. Call it gut instinct, a knowing, a feeling. I guess I’m learning that truth and wisdom speak to us, not in words and even tangible things, but often in symbols and signs and “gut instincts.”
Ahnung has been instrumental in my own healing … while volunteering at The Lab again yesterday I realized she doesn’t have to DO anything. Her presence alone is healing with the kids. Yesterday, we spent time with a young student, “M”, who has been afraid of dogs and does not like to touch or pet dogs (yet somehow he is not afraid of Ahnung). As we were sitting in a circle talking/reflecting Ahnung was resting on the outside of the circle perimeter. She gets up and walks toward us. She stands between the “M” and myself with her face towards me. Out of the corner of my eye I see “M’ extend his hand and start stroking Ahnung’s back. Compassion. Trust. Love. Opening Up. My heart wells up as I realize at that moment the incredible healing way Ahnung has with kids, by simply being present. At the end of the group “M” asks if he can walk Ahnung out to the front of the school where he needs to catch a yellow cab back to school. I say yes and hand “M” Ahnung’s orange leash. The smile on his face and the pride I feel in his heart reinforces, once again for me, that special something I saw in Ahnung back in October, 2008. She’s an official therapy dog now throughDelta Society. Truth is, she’s always been a healer. She has also been my best medicine. Ahnung (which means star in Ojibway) has been lighting up the night skies for me, for the kids at The Lab, and for all who step into her circle of healing.
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