A family in Michigan adopts a deaf dog for their autistic son who is losing his hearing. During their recent “Clear the Shelter” event, the Humane Society of Midland County in Michigan posted a story on social media about Dave, a six-year-old deaf bulldog mix in need of a new home. Mindy Cousineau saw the post and thought Dave might be the perfect companion for her 14-year-old son Walker, who is autistic and also has hearing loss.
The Cousineaus headed to the shelter to meet Dave on the last day of the event. Mindy says Walker and Dave had an instant connection and she knew they wouldn’t be leaving the shelter without him. The connection continued when they got back home with their new pup. "We walked in and it was like Dave had always been there,” Mindy recalls. “There was zero transition period. It's like he's always been ours."
There was almost an immediate positive effect on Walker when Dave came to live with him. "Walker is feeling better about losing his hearing now that we have Dave, wearing his hearing aids all the time now and doesn't feel out of place,” Mindy explains. “The boys are inseparable. Neither one can be far from the other's sight. They sleep together and honestly do everything together since we got Dave." The Cousineaus hope that Dave’s story will encourage other families to be open-minded when it comes to adopting pets with special needs.
Source: Newsweek