Paws of War Celebrates First Anniversary of Autism Pilot Program Success

Paws of War helping children who have autism by pairing them with a service dog

NESCONSET, New York – (April 13, 2023) –April is Autism Awareness Month and the first anniversary of the autism pilot program by Paws of War A year ago this month, they paired a child with a service dog, and they are pleased to say that it›s been a successful program so far When 11-year-old Cale’s dad was deployed with the U S Marines, it created a lot of anxiety and stress in his son, who has autism Paws of War stepped in and provided the child with a service dog named Lexi, and it’s made a world of difference .

“This is the first time we have placed a dog with someone who has autism, so we are excited that we can help in this situation. This is a dedicated military family to whom we are thrilled to give back,” explains Robert Misseri, cofounder of Paws of War. “Unfortunately, not every child with autism will benefit from a service animal, but in Cale’s case, it’s ideal. It’ll help him navigate anxiety and sleep issues, and Lexi will play many roles in his life as a service animal and therapy animal. It’ll give Cale the ability to give back. We know the dog is perfect for Cale, and he will work with Lexi regularly with a trainer to accomplish everything he wants.”

Cale lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his parents, Brandi and Chris Nolting. Chris serves in the U.S. Marines and often works demanding hours. During this, Cale becomes deeply unsettled, struggling with insomnia, anxiety, and being overwhelmed. Nothing worked to help him, so he had to resort to medication. During a doctor’s visit, Cale met a therapy dog, and his parents noticed how he gravitated to the dog and was comfortable in his presence.

That chance encounter led to reaching out for assistance from Paws of War, which typically provides service dogs for Veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the organization has the means and wants to help a hero’s