What is most important

I’ve learned over the years that you really don’t plan for a visit, but adapt to it. When we work with behavioral health clients it is so important to be open and flexible. At one place we go regularly we often see the same teens week after week, but we also see new kids. I always ask the “friends” to share something about Charlie or Buddy, depending on who I have with me that day. They remember details you would never believe they absorbed. And some of the kids have known my therapy dogs for many years and tell the others about ones that they may never meet. They know about the Criss Cross Applesauce command that tells Buddy to climb into the space in the middle of a lap!  They know how to make him twerk! They know what makes him go belly up for pets.  And they know how to love him and receive his love. That is the greatest lesson of all.