Sophia Reither & Autism Assistance Dog Rylee
Author: Bobb Elsenpeter
You would have a hard time believing that behind 11-year-old Sophia Reither’s bubbly laugh and infectious smile was a little girl who, just a few months ago, had chosen not to speak. In fact, it might be hard to believe that she’s had to face many other obstacles in her short life.
Sophia, who lives in Blaine, Minn. with her parents and two brothers, came into the world with a host of health problems. She and her twin brother Nicholas were born premature and with fragile X syndrome. Weighing just three pounds at birth, Sophia later required eight ear surgeries (she still wears a hearing aid) and by age four was diagnosed with autism.
As a result of these problems, Sophia is a selective mute. When she’s frustrated, she’ll call people names, roll on the floor and refuse to get up. She may run away and hide, can be aggressive, and has an inability to self-calm, requiring intervention from her family. Sophia also has trouble understanding the world around her. “For example, when we drive in the car, she feels cars are all going to run into us, even though it’s never happened.” Sophia’s mother, Michelle, wrote in her application.
“She asks us the names of faces we see on billboards and can’t understand why we don’t know who they are or who their moms and dads are.”
So, Can Do Canines partnered Sophia with Rylee, a two-and-a-half-year-old black Labrador Retriever as her Autism Assistance Dog. Rylee’s foster home providers report that, “Rylee has been one of the most affectionate dogs we’ve fostered from Can Do Canines. She loves to be petted and is quick to roll onto her back so we can give her tummy rubs.” A perfect match to help Sophia break out of her shell!
One of the biggest improvements since Rylee joined the family has helped both Sophia and her parents. When asked how her sleeping has changed, Sophia says excitedly, “By myself!” In the past, Michelle would sleep with Sophia all night and have to get up whenever Sophia needed help, which was quite often. Now, Rylee takes Michelle’s spot largely, Sophia says, because Rylee cuddles better than her mom.
“I always wanted a sister and now I’ve got one!”
Sophia’s confidence has skyrocketed and it’s reflected in her schoolwork and her relationships with others. She talks more in class and is able to grasp the math concepts that were previously mystifying to her. In fact, when her mom recently watched her explain the mechanics of a division problem, Michelle proudly observed, “And this is from a selective mute!”
After teaming with Rylee, her improvement came rather quickly. “In school, they say it was like a switch or a fog had lifted,” Michelle says. Not only is she performing better academically, she can also be her own advocate. If there is a problem, she can talk to teachers or counselors. The result is a safer experience at school. She’s also safer out in public. When the family goes shopping, Sophia doesn’t complain or run off and hide like she did in the past.
Thanks to Rylee Sophia is calmer, happier, and best of all, she communicates. To everyone who helped make this transformation possible, Michelle is grateful.
“We did not know what Sophia’s future was going to be. The doctors didn’t necessarily see that there was going to be a future,” Michelle says. “I can now say that Sophia will have an opportunity to be productive and to work. I’m seeing a completely different child who has the ability to learn new skills and be a productive member of society and help others, too.”
Thank you to all those who made this partnership possible:
Puppy Raiser—Sara Vander Lugt
Special Thanks— The Inmate Handlers at The Minnesota Correctional Facility-Faribault; Stephanie Dunford
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