Compassion fatigue, burn out, physical, mental and emotional health, trauma work, inner child work, general good fundamentals of health - for the first +30 yrs of my life I was largely unaware of all of it. Struggling with those things over time likely led to my body and immune system getting run down enough for the Lyme and Bartonella to take hold like they have over these past 26 yrs or so. The symptoms started before 2000, finally diagnosed 2016 with Lyme and Bartonella.
I was born with a lot of sensory and other sensitivities, also difficulties with communication and social connection with humans. Apparently pretty obvious (to others) since preschool and I can consciously remember since kindergarten about all of the sensory, chemical, and social difficulties - all sent into hyperdrive after Lyme and Bartonella. Finally getting the Autism Diagnosis in 2021 was incredibly helpful for understanding and accepting myself better. An extensive history of head injuries can make things extra interesting/difficult - the combination of Lyme, Bartonella, brain injuries, and Autism + who knows what else can be a lot to sort through in a given moment.
Dogs help me more than words can fully describe.
My work with dogs is my best effort to "make my own medicine" for Lyme Disease, Bartonella, Brain Injury, and the Autism that makes me uniquely able to work with very sensitive dogs who have difficulties connecting with humans, other dogs, and/or the world in general.
This intentional practice with dogs is also my best effort at inner child work and trauma work for my own unresolved past traumas and hurts, using Low Stress Handling and Fear Free, also Preventative Wellness as a framework for rules to live by.
My work with dogs gives me great meaning and purpose - it has become what I live for.
Since May 2023, I've been the sole caretaker of Bernie, Jet, Milagro, Paloma, and Lady Jade - five very special large dogs who are unsuitable for general adoption because their behavior requires specialized care to keep everybody safe. I do this work alone, on 40 acres in Calaveras County, while managing everything described above.
If this resonates with you, please consider helping me and Mister Amore continue this journey with these incredible individuals: https://behaviorincontext.com/donate
