Dave is a deaf dog who was abandoned by his first family and stayed at the Humane Society of Midland County in Michigan. In the past he has run away several times and sometimes very badly; he was especially injured by porcupines.
At the shelter, this American bully mix was the favorite of volunteers who hoped he would find a loving family. The wish was fulfilled at the open day. That day, the parents of Walker, a young autistic man with deafness, came to see Dave, whose Facebook story touched them.
“We connected instantly with Walker,” says Brittany Schlakter of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, who organized the event. “They became inseparable and clearly saved each other,” she adds.
«Like They’re Together Forever»
For Mindy Cousino, the young man’s mother, «it was like they were together forever».
Dave has already learned to obey gesture commands. Communication with Walker was established quickly. The latter, who struggled with hearing loss and the need to wear a hearing aid, became better able to cope with these difficulties. He no longer has problems with the device and is slowly coming out of isolation thanks to the quadruped.
“ Dave knows when Walker is angry and calms him down. Walker is learning more gestures for himself and also to be able to «talk» to Dave,» his mother says.
The dog is indeed a lifeline for his young human friend. He himself has never been happier than since joining this friendly and caring family.
