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Autistic Boy Gets New Service Dog

June 20, 2012|Adam Pinsker & Mike Ross | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A happy ending for an 8-year-old boy with autism, whose service dog disappeared several weeks ago.

Wyatt Reinhart met his new dog "Jack" Wednesday, thanks to "Midnight Sun Service Dogs."

The organization became aware of Wyatt's situation after his missing dog's picture went up on Facebook.

His first service dog, "Abby", was found dead in a lake near the family's home in Wasilla after being missing for several days.

As Wyatt was introduced to his new dog, April Merchant of Midnight Sun Service Dogs said "that bond is so important for any service dog, no matter what they're going to do.  If you don't have that bond there, the service dog is not going to work as well as it should for you."

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Wyatt's mother says her son has a hard time communicating his thoughts, and she says a service dog will help him express those thoughts clearly. Judy Reinhart said "just watching him with the new puppy....he's just alive again, his soul..he's awake.".

Wyatt and Jack will go through a training process over the next few week. To help with the expenses related to the training, Wyatt's family has set up an account to accept donations:

Wells Fargo 'Wyatt's Service Dog'Acct: 8201237396
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