Can This Therapy Dog Win Over the Heart of a Boy with Autism? 🐶 Smithsonian Channel

The Hickey family were interested in adopting Xena, an emaciated puppy they saw on their local news channel. But they were concerned their young son, who has autism, wouldn’t get on with a family pet.
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[@eeejil]

Oh goodness. This had me in tears. You don't often see this kind of miracle!

[@1BJM]

Such a happy story. One I needed right now.

[@micdaman1948]

At this point dogs can do anything after me finding out dogs can sniff out cancer and drugs. Dogs there the most fascinating creatures ever to exist.

[@SP_3333]

Animals are wonderful companions for children with autism. The animal has to be gentle. This is a beautiful story.

[@RAVEN_SPRING_]

This should be a movie how adorable

[@GuyG.KTalesOfAnimals]

She’s just a natural care giver. I love how she knows just how to balance Jonny’s needs. pitbulls are very emotion conscious and it makes lots of sense for them to work with Jonny’s special sensitivity. Great job.

[@d.c.barker]

Survivor to Savior...well done Xena. 🙂🐕

[@BrandonCiCi]

That was beautiful 🥰

[@MissPerriwinkle]

blesss that doggie !!!!

[@rogerrogers7393]

what a lovely dog Xena is

[@chrismaestas3974]

Theres nothing more powerful than Love.

[@Cannabian]

My pup is also named Xena :D This one earned it though!

[@casey8083]

A well cared-for and loved Pit Bull can be a truly wonderful companion.

[@jamends1220]

Unless you have a toddler.

[@casey8083]

@@jamends1220 You must have lost some of your toddlers to Pit Bulls. Rotten luck, my friend.

[@11FOAD]

So much shampoo in my eyes!!! Bless you every one!!

[@Digitron001]

I used to watch this when I was young

[@Anaaewp]

I'm autistic, I have no idea how this works, but my dog did make me more sociable and willing to make new things. I was practically non-verbal with anyone besides my family and I got more talkative, I had colleagues at uni that thought I was mute. I hate touching, but I love hugging her, I hate noises but I think her barks are adorable, I hate strong scents but I can't sleep without being able to smell her. She is not trained or anything, but she did change my life completely.

[@nancym7844]

Part of the miracle of Xena is Jonny never interacted with their other dogs, only Xena was accepted by him. (I've seen other video's about this amazing boy and his dog.)

[@e2renee]

For my autistic son it was a cat…Fuzz Ball

[@christyb5575]

Omg, i have a child on the spectrum and I’ve been thinking about a dog for her.. this was absolutely beautiful

[@huntergatherer8972]

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Someone must be chopping onions in here or something...

[@OMGiTzCeeJay]

That’s what dogs do in general to people in general not just people that happen to be autistic

[@smlorrin]

Such a lovely story!

[@krugerfuchs]

Pit bulls are great dogs it's the human

[@RAVEN_SPRING_]

Pit bulls are not violent LOVE ALL DOGS 🐕 🖤

[@er1073]

Thank you for posting this pit bulls are the product of bad people. Who saved who is right Jonny and Xena this story brought tears to my eyes this poor pup went through something that no creature should have to go through. This may seem cruel to some but the hum,ans that left Xena to die should of just killed instead of making her sufferer for who knows how long. Jonny and family this is just a budding relationship Xena and Jonny defiantly belong to each other.

[@jenmorricone4014]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@christinedegarmo4714]

Will the boy win over the heart of the therapy dog?

[@emkay7486]

Back in the early 1900’s pit bulls were known as nanny dogs and actually looked after the kids!

[@galaxy_mosaic3587]

that is a very heart warming story. I was surprised when she was first id'd as a lab bc she did look a little different. but I was surprised she was part pit bull.

[@Choochificational]

This is a very nice story, but how is this smithsonian material? the content on this channel has talem a giant nose dive if its now basically TLC

[@shamimarashema9402]

First comment

[@abyankabir1910]

First comment, like and view.

[@ApeExample]

Third

[@ultranitro437]

Those parents look pretty old to have a kid that young. I wonder if he was adopted?

[@generalhorse493]

It's distracting that the family keeps using "person with autism" and not "autistic person".

[@kingjeremysircornwell7847]

Crime to own live with dog/animals inside city limits. Get the dog's out! Cholera epidemic