It would be hard to find a young boy who doesn't want a dog, but in the case of one valley boy, he doesn't just want a furry friend. He needsa service dog to help him in life.
6-year-old Lucas reads to his favorite friend, a golden retriever. It's the only time this young boy with autism is calm.
"He used to not be able to sit down at the table and do homework. When he is sitting down with the dog in his lap, he'll sit for 5, 10, 20 minutes," says mother Gabbi Bryan.
This is a boy who can't sit still, but he will sit if the dog is around him.
This dog isn't a pet. He's a working dog with Arizona Goldens. Brian Daugherty is one of the trainers.
These dogs know 50 different commands, and can make life easier and safer for adults and kids with disabilities like Lucas.
"It interrupts pattern behavior, helps with bolting issues, helps drastically reduce the amount of meltdowns, helps sleep at night and helps them become an independent adult," says Daugherty.
You can see how Lucas calms down around the dog.
A service dog like Lex costs about $22,000. He would be a big help for Lucas. So far the family has raised $2,000, they are hoping to raise more.
Lucas works with a dog like Lex once a week. The family believes the dog will help Lucas more if he could work with him all day, every day. The rest of the family would love to have a dog too.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:42:18 GMT
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:28:23 GMT
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Monday, May 20 2013 6:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:30:03 GMT
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:05:22 GMT
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:32:24 GMT
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
