A Dog Named Fonzie Brings Happy Days to Autistic Boy
For Ryan Mills, an autistic boy from Racine, Wisconsin, everyday things like getting off the school bus or going to the grocery store were anxious, even terrifying ordeals.
"The grocery store is probably one of the worst for me, to the point where we try not to take him if we don't have to," Ryan’s mother, Michelle Mills, revealed. But, as Fox News reports, thanks to a white, curly-haired service dog named Fonzie, Ryan is able to navigate social situations, shop in a noisy grocery store, and play in the park with other children.
Since Compassionate Paws, a nonprofit organization that places dogs with disabled children, matched the dog with the young red-headed boy, Ryan's anxiety has leveled off. His tantrums have become less frequent. He's able, as Michelle Mills puts it, "to just be a kid."
Studies have shown that dogs dramatically reduce the levels of the stress hormone Cortisol in autistic children. Horses and dolphins have also been incredibly successful in bonding with autistic kids.
But perhaps there's another reason for the miraculous bond between Ryan and Fonzie.
During his training, a senseless, vicious attack occurred at Compassionate Paws. Fonzie and two other dogs were stabbed and strangled. Fonzie was the only dog that survived.
Devastated, trainer Vicki Pagel moved her remaining dogs to safety and almost quit training altogether. Instead, she installed barbed wire and security cameras. No more dogs died and Fonzie continued his work.
"I think if the dog was tough enough to be the only one who survived the attacks, I think he's going to be tough enough for my son," Mills said.
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