How did you learn about things like washing your hair, cutting your nails, and brushing your teeth?
For most of us, our families started teaching us those basic lessons when they brought us home. A baby’s first bath at home is usually a big event for a family!
However, for families in chaos, teaching hygiene protocols is way down on the list. Families navigating substance abuse, domestic violence, broken relationships, or poverty don’t prioritize deodorant training. Even worse, sometimes hygiene tools have been used to abuse.
Ranch staff do a great deal of educating the kids about how to care for their bodies. Children are taught how to shower, how to use hair products, and the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. Our nursing staff also teach things like how the body changes in the transition through puberty and the self-care that makes necessary.
The art teacher on our Fargo campus helps children express the things that they don’t have words for through their art…whether it be painting, photography, pottery, or any other medium. She also is specially trained to work with children on the Autism Spectrum and co-teaches a “Living On My Own” class.
While working with one of the children on an art project, she noticed severe issues with the child’s fingernails. They were broken and battered and curled and damaged. The child is on the Autism Spectrum and has additional sensory issues. It is not easy for her to touch or be touched.
After considering how to approach the issue, the teacher invited Sydney, the therapy dog, to the “Living on my Own” class with her owner (that’s me) to discuss how to care for a pet. How often do you need to bathe them, how do you keep their ears clean, and what about brushing their teeth? The last part of the presentation was about how cutting her nails is part of keeping Sydney healthy. Every child in the class was riveted as Sydney calmly allowed me to cut her nails.
Nothing was said directly to the young girl, but once in a while, over the next couple of weeks, someone would mention “the day Sydney came to class."
Nearly four weeks after the presentation, this child came to school with groomed fingernails. She had asked someone to help her get them in shape, a year and a half since they had last been properly trimmed.
What a win. And, whatever it takes. Hurray for the child, and Hurray for our amazing teacher! I work with really good, smart people.
Please keep our kids and staff in your prayers!
In His love,
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
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