Joey’s mother had to put up with her son being kicked out of school six times for bad behavior. She sometimes hit her but thanks to an adopted Pit bull dog, the child’s behavior has changed completely.
Joey Granados, a boy with autism, manages to be sociable thanks to a Pit Bull named Roxy. When Joey was diagnosed with autism at the age of 7, his mother knew his life was going to be a struggle. He always had trouble connecting with other kids and making friends, until he met Roxy.
Joey’s autism made him want to be alone and he often didn’t know how to handle social situations on his own. So, he asked his mother, Amanda, if he could get a dog to help with the social aspect of his life. Joey and Amanda met Roxy, a pit bull at Best Friends Animal Society, Roxy went straight to Joey. He’s never connected with someone like he has with Roxy before, which is huge for a person with autism.
Boy with autism manages to be sociable thanks to a Pit Bull
Both Roxy and Joey have to fight through stereotypes and stigma in their everyday lives. Luckily, another organization, Pawsitive, worked with Best Friends, Joey, and his mom and made a video detailing Joey and Roxy’s story. “Pit bulls get a really bad rap,” Amanda said in the video. “Kids with autism get a really bad rap, too. You put these two things together and see how amazing it can be.”
Amanda explained to Today:
I’m overexcited.” “All these years he wouldn’t take my hand or give my arm. It was all part of autism, but this dog taught him to give and show affection. Now he holds my hand, hugs me The first time he kissed me on the cheek was when Roxy came home.
Joey and Roxy’s friendship is beautiful, this story shows us that a Pit Bull and a special child can be very good friends, it also helps to raise awareness and clarify myths about these animals that have a bad reputation and are often discriminated against making it difficult to find them home.
Images: Amanda Granados