Rachel B. (travnray) reviewed A Friend Like Henry: The Remarkable True Story of an Autistic Boy and the Dog That Unlocked His World on + 182 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I liked the parts about the dog, but those parts were actually pretty scarce.
I won't read this one again. The author's writing style was really irritating for me.
It IS a good story tho.
I won't read this one again. The author's writing style was really irritating for me.
It IS a good story tho.
Christine (luvmygem) -
Helpful Score: 2
I started out having a little trouble with the author's writing style, but then I realized this book, though written well, was written not by a professional writer but a mother trying to share her story. This was an eye-opening glimpse into the lives of a family faced with raising an autistic child. For once I really felt I could understand the desperation that many of these parents must feel, not knowing if they will ever get through to their children. My heart broke as the author shared some of her more personal feelings. But this book reinforced something I have always felt - that animals have the power to heal, through completely unconditional love. A wonderful tribute to a dog who changed the lives of his human family, as well as to the boy who grew up to be an inspiration.
Rebecca W. (vizslalady) reviewed A Friend Like Henry: The Remarkable True Story of an Autistic Boy and the Dog That Unlocked His World on + 171 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is more about autism than about a dog. But if you like to see how dogs can truly transform lives, then this book is for you. Nuala and Jamie Gardner's son, Dale, is locked away in his own autistic world - angry, frightened, and unable to cope with the world around him. A brief encounter with their cousin's dogs brings Dale out of his world just a little, enough to convince Nuala that their son needs a dog. Enter "Henry", a lovely Golden Retriever. He is indeed what their son needed to begin to join the rest of the world. Henry was not the only solution to the problem, as Nuala and Jamie had to fight very hard to get appropriate help for their son in school, and they worked equally hard to give him lots and lots of opportunities to socialize outside of school in nonthreatening environments. But Dale would not/could not have taken some of those risks without Henry by his side, sometimes literally and sometimes figuratively. Above all, this book sheds hope on the outcome of those living with autism.
Phyllis M. (emptynester) - , reviewed A Friend Like Henry: The Remarkable True Story of an Autistic Boy and the Dog That Unlocked His World on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A heartbreaking, uplifting read about a 'hidden' disability--autism. How a family accidentally finds help for their son by connecting him up with a golden retriever named Henry. Was going to keep my copy, just because, but won't be selfish, because there may be people out there who need to read it more than I have to keep it and watch it collect dust on my self. Highly recommend it for people to read who have children with autism and for everybody else, just so we can see what those families go through!!
Alice B. reviewed A Friend Like Henry: The Remarkable True Story of an Autistic Boy and the Dog That Unlocked His World on + 3559 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
On February 18, 1994 the Gardners made a fateful decision. They decided to go ahead and get a therapy dog, ostensibly a pet for their son Dale, who, then 5 had autism. Dale at that time was marginally verbal and devoted to his stuffed Mickey Mouse, Thomas the Tank and to following routines.
The dog, whom Dale named Henry after a character who was featured with Thomas the Tank would prove invaluable. He learned alongside with Henry. When Henry was being housebroken and rewarded with a treat each time he used the great outdoors, Nuala used this as a teaching moment for Dale. Dale, then 5 became fully toilet trained after seeing Henry master this skill. His drawing skills also improved. Shortly after Henry arrived, Dale drew a recognizable picture of a dog labelled "Henry." It was the first representational drawing he had made.
Nuala and Jamie Gardner would "talk" through the dog to teach Dale and communicate with him. They would pretend to "be" the dog and speak as if the dog were, as in "I love it when Dale plays with me," and "I wish Dale would share his blanket with me." In time, this method paid dividends. Dale's behavior became less autistic and by the time he was 7, was able to tolerate a birthday party. He was also able to accept seeing familiar objects in different settings, such as a tire being used as a swing. He had fewer meltdowns and ordinary words such as "okay," "proud" and "school" no longer sent him into a frenzy. By 2000, he was promoted to the local public school in his Scottish town.
Thanks to Henry, Dale's world expanded. He got to go to Disneyland for his 8th birthday
The dog, whom Dale named Henry after a character who was featured with Thomas the Tank would prove invaluable. He learned alongside with Henry. When Henry was being housebroken and rewarded with a treat each time he used the great outdoors, Nuala used this as a teaching moment for Dale. Dale, then 5 became fully toilet trained after seeing Henry master this skill. His drawing skills also improved. Shortly after Henry arrived, Dale drew a recognizable picture of a dog labelled "Henry." It was the first representational drawing he had made.
Nuala and Jamie Gardner would "talk" through the dog to teach Dale and communicate with him. They would pretend to "be" the dog and speak as if the dog were, as in "I love it when Dale plays with me," and "I wish Dale would share his blanket with me." In time, this method paid dividends. Dale's behavior became less autistic and by the time he was 7, was able to tolerate a birthday party. He was also able to accept seeing familiar objects in different settings, such as a tire being used as a swing. He had fewer meltdowns and ordinary words such as "okay," "proud" and "school" no longer sent him into a frenzy. By 2000, he was promoted to the local public school in his Scottish town.
Thanks to Henry, Dale's world expanded. He got to go to Disneyland for his 8th birthday
