Help With Animal Fears / New pet

[Guest guest]

My 6yr old daughter is very afraid of all animals big or small, to the point

where she has lost friends and we avoid parks and certain stores because of it.

However, after over a year of her begging for a cat (I do not understand why she

has been begging, as she hs been afaid to be in the same room as one) we decided

to adopt a cat in hopes it may help her overcome her fears.

The cat we adopted is the mellowest most mild tempered cat I have ever seen. My

daughter wants to play and pet with the cat, but is still scared to approach it,

and if the cat approaches her she jumps on the couch or runs to another room.

She will now pet the cat hesitantly if I am holding her, but that is it.

Any tips out there on helping our HFA/aspie kids adjust to pets/overcome thier

fears with animals?

The cat is at the point where she runs from my daughter when she enters the room

as she acts so erratically. It is unfair to ask either of them to live that way,

but yet I do not want to yet give up hope that she can adjust. My daughter loves

the idea of having a cat and wants to keep her, but my husband is ready to throw

in the towel and call it a lost cause.

It has only been two weeks, but how long should we wait? Any hints, tips and/or

suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Amie