Service Dog Helps Boy With Autism Enjoy Physical Interaction For The First Time

Feb 02, 2020 by apost team

This boy wouldn't let his parents hold or hug him. This is how many children with autism behave, and it can be devastating for parents. Autistic children are often super sensitive to sound and touch. Kai, the autistic child of Shanna Niehaus, was able to finally make contact with another living creature when he was introduced to his new service dog. The dog's name is Tornado.

Kai's mother explained in a post on 4 Paws For Ability, that she was desperate for her child to have some sort of connection. She explained that his autism therapies have yet to show real results. Kai was unable to interact with anyone that wasn't family, but with Tornado, all that may change for the better.

Shanna, as seen in a photo, was crying while watching her son interact with his new friend Tornado. She merely took her son's interactions with the dog as a sign that he was going to be alright.

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Tornado was a gift from 4 Paws For Ability, an organization that supplies service dogs of all types. It's truly amazing that a child could build such a strong relationship with an animal so quickly. In fact, you can see the video of Kai and Tornado's introduction below.

Shanna explained that she has seen countless struggles by her son. She has been crying for a very long time, stressed over her son's condition. In the video, Shanna can be seen crying different tears – tears of happiness.

The benefits of a service dog are often unimaginable until you witness it for yourself. You probably know a parent who has a child with autism. This article could go a long way in letting them know that there is hope. Send them this article, and perhaps they will get their own child a service dog, leading them to a happier, more fulfilling childhood.