Living with autism is challenging for any family. It’s tough to deal with the panic and anxiety attacks, which can be very stressful for the entire household. Although there are lots of support, such as special schools and social events for families with autistic family members, it’s barely enough to help families deal with the condition.
A boy named Atlas was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD, which causes him to experience panic and anxiety attacks. It’s hard to calm Atlas down when he does experience these things, and it often leads to a lot of screaming. Atlas’s mom, Kat Anderson, stated that Atlas was diagnosed with the condition when Atlas turned two years old.
Life was getting difficult for Atlas’s family. Kat and her husband figured that Atlas needed a service dog. Eventually, Atlas was paired with a service dog named Harris. Harris made life a lot easier for Atlas and his family. Instead of focusing on how scary the environment around him is, Atlas focused on Harris.
With Harris by Atlas’s side, Atlas’s explosive episodes of panic attacks and anxiety were significantly reduced. From frequent occurrences, Atlas now rarely experiences panic attacks. Harris came from an organization called National Service Dogs.
Atlas and Harris have been working together to form a bond. Kat and her family were very strict about having only Atlas pet Harris to establish a strong relationship. Whenever Harris does something good, Atlas is the only one allowed to give Harris treats. Atlas is also taught to feed Harris regularly.
And, because Harris is always beside Atlas even when he goes to school, Atlas becomes the center of attention, and his classmates would come and talk to him. Atlas became more sociable at school and made new friends because of Harris. Here’s a heartwarming video showing how a dog transformed the life of a boy with autism.
Video Source Local Love Magazine via YouTube
