Paragould, AR – Contributed – Kajun K-9 Behavior & Obedience has officially opened Tommy’s Room, a sensory-friendly interaction space designed to help children build confidence and positive experiences with dogs in a calm, structured environment.
Located inside The Dog House in Paragould, Tommy’s Room is named after Tommy, the Headley family’s standard poodle and highly trained autism assistance dog who has become an invaluable companion for their son, James.
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For lead trainer Macie Headley, Tommy’s Room represents much more than another service, it tells the story of how her family’s journey inspired a mission to serve others.
“It all started with our son James, a standard poodle named Tommy, and a price tag we simply couldn’t afford,” said Headley. “When we realized an autism assistance dog was financially out of reach for our family, I made the decision to learn how to train one myself. Tommy changed James’ life in ways we never imagined, and that experience became my calling. Today, I raise and train autism assistance dogs for other families, working to make these life-changing companions more accessible to children who need them, regardless of the price tag.”
Today, Headley trains autism assistance dogs for children on the spectrum while also helping families safely introduce children and dogs through education and positive experiences.
Tommy’s Room was thoughtfully created to provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment where children can interact with dogs at their own pace without the distractions or unpredictability of a public setting.
Families can reserve the room by the hour for a variety of needs, including:
- Introducing a child to a new family dog
- Preparing a child before bringing home a future pet
- Helping children become more comfortable and confident around dogs
- Spending one-on-one time with Tommy, Kajun K-9’s trained therapy dog
- Enjoying a peaceful sensory-friendly environment designed for positive
interactions
While Tommy’s Room was created with the autism community in mind, it is open to families with children of all abilities who may benefit from a calm, controlled environment.
“Our goal is to help create successful first experiences,” Headley said. “Whether that’s meeting a new puppy, preparing for a future service dog, or simply building confidence around animals, we want families to have a safe place where those moments can happen without pressure.”
Kajun K-9 hopes Tommy’s Room will become a valuable resource for families throughout Northeast Arkansas by removing barriers and creating opportunities for meaningful connections between children and dogs.
Families interested in learning more about Tommy’s Room or reserving the space can message Kajun K-9 Behavior & Obedience or The Dog House on social media to learn more and book their visit.
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