Alex has his own Marvelous Superhero

Marvel Entertainment features some amazing superheroes: Captain America, Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are just a few. Eleven-year-old Alex, who has autism, has an equally amazing superhero in his life–Autism Assist Dog Marvel!

Alex’s mom, Thomera, describes her son as “smart, kind, and funny.” He enjoys Legos, video games, soccer, and playing Star Wars. But, describing the challenges of having a child with autism, she notes, “Every day is a struggle. Structure is important, and deviation from the plan can cause a meltdown. Textures, food, and fabric can be hard. Sounds, lights, and over-stimulation can cause dysregulation.” For loud noises, Thomera always carries earplugs with them. However, that one tool only solved one problem. 

The family needed more help keeping Alex safe and calm, so they turned to Can Do Canines. “We were hoping to improve our son’s life,” says Thomera. “We wanted to have a dog that would help keep Alex in place when he wanted to run off.” She explains, “Alex has a heightened fight or flight and will often run and hide or shut down when corrected. Elopement in the school and public can be very scary and requires hyper-vigilance.” She adds another reason for assistance dog: “We also wanted an emotional grounding source for Alex that would help him feel calmer and help him to relate to his peers.” Thomera says, “Alex needs physical touch to help regulate himself, and providing that and meeting that need can be challenging as he gets older. He likes to hug his friends, but not all friends are comfortable with that.” Others don’t always understand Alex’s quirks, to which Thomera shares, “It can be lonely and hard when all he wants is to fit in.”

The first time Alex was introduced to Marvel, a yellow Lab, was pretty special. “We have a video of it,” states Thomera. “Alex was just stunned. It was like we handed him a best friend.” She says that Alex took to working with Marvel “like a duck to water. He was so engaged and excited. It was really fun to see.”

But the best part? “Seeing the impact on my son,” admits Thomera. The list of positive changes is impressive. In Thomera’s words:

• Marvel gives our son a safe place to pour out all his emotions, [serving as] a rock when things shift under him. 
• Marvel likes hugs, so Alex is able to get the physical touch he needs from his furry best friend … with an active wagging tail that my children call the “windshield wiper.”
• Alex is more willing to be independent with Marvel. 
• He is calmer with Marvel. 
• Since Marvel takes a bath, Alex is more willing to take a bath too. Marvel gets his nails filed; so does our son. Marvel needs recharge time; so does our son. Marvel has to get up for breakfast and go outside; our son has to get up for school. Alex does all these activities better when he is doing them with Marvel.  
• There have been no fights about homework, chores, or personal care. Marvel reduces the processing time when Alex becomes stuck. Marvel provides lots of deep pressure therapy with 'Snuggle.' 
• We have had positive notes home from school for the first time in forever.
• Marvel helps Alex feel accepted. 

Thomera sums up these changes, saying, “I cannot believe all that has happened. Just seeing how much things have changed, both big and small, is amazing. Marvel seems to understand what is needed and when. He is always on the lookout for “his boy.”

Perhaps the two will be looking out over the Grand Canyon someday in the near future. Thomera confesses, “It has been a fear that Alex would run right off the edge, but now with Marvel, we are more confident that Alex will stay with the family.”

In addition to upcoming vacations, the family is excited about the opportunity for Marvel to be with Alex at middle school to help with that stress. For this calming influence and everything else Marvel offers to Alex, Thomera and the rest of the family are grateful to those who helped develop this superhero in their lives. “Thank you for all of your hard work, dedication, and love. Marvel is life-changing for Alex. Marvel can support and help Alex in ways that, as parents, we cannot.”

“I cannot wait to see how far these two go.”

 

Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:

Whelping Home — Dinana Adamson and Paul Oberhaus
Raisers — Tabitha Bonander, Jill Waters
Special Thanks — Jackson Correctional Institution, Stanley Correctional Institution, University of Minnesota FETCH Program (Ayianan Leck, Anna Vandewettering)