16-year-old Nate Weldon has autism, and his black Lab, Maggie, is a service dog, specially trained to serve, assist and even calm Nate when his autism interferes with his ability to control his moods.
Nate’s mother, Jodi Weldon, says, “[W]hen something’s bothering him, he’ll seek [Maggie] out.”
The Weldons are waiting for another service dog for their other son, Zachary, who is 14 years old and also autistic. They hope to receive Remi, a 5-month-old English Lab puppy, after she is properly trained. Rebecca Rodock is raising a Remi until Remi becomes a Service Dog. Ms. Rodock is a volunteer puppy raiser for Perfect Fit Canines Inc., a company that provides service dogs to help disabled individuals.
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