I've gotten a few snakes from stores & expos, and others shipped in. I think all of them were so freaked by the experience that they were easily handled (if that makes sense). It wasn't until they'd been in their new home for a few days, where they were warm, fed, and feeling secure, that they would hiss or nip when I would have to handle them to spot clean or change water. It does take a bit more time but most will eventually settle down.
Perhaps she would be content to pet him on his back for a bit, while you hold him.Our new BP is actually my 5 year old daughter's petShe loves him to death, but... the day we brought him home, she was holding him while I was finishing setting up the cage (him balled up in her hands) and he bit her... drawing blood. She wasn't too happy about that. So I'm trying to find out as much as I can, so we both handle him right and if there is anything we can do to help him acclimate, to do so. I guess it's just going to take time for him to adjust and grow up a little.