32 Heartwarming Photos of Pets Looking Out for the Kiddos in Their Lives
Pets are an amazing source of love and friendship, but usually, they become even more than that — family. And for people living with special needs, an additional furry companion to lean on can make a huge difference.
We asked our readers on Facebook to share an animal special to them or their loved ones, and we received some touching responses.
Here are the incredible pets in your lives:
“Elisha calls ‘My Lydia’ his best friend.” — Amy Leonard Mize
“My daughter’s cat stands guard and watches for seizures when she’s not feeling well.” — Carly McPherson
“Jake loves his Ellie.” — Nicole Denise
“She licks him more than he does her.” — Janessa Soria Lambert
“Rachel and her very tolerant pup, Jasmine.” — Aileen Hornbeck Schwarz
“Jack and Bubba.” — Juliana Lepoutre
“He follows her around everywhere she goes.” — Melissa Abraham
“Our son with our 135-pound Great Dane, Daffy.” — April Roga
“My daughter, Evelyn, and her companion, Scarlet, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.” — Andrea Eaton Botan
“My daughter with special needs has a companion pet named Lucy. She’s learned a lot about animal safety and being gentle since getting a dog.” — Melanie Stephens
“Our son, Gabriel, with our sweet kitty, Flynn.” — Amy Strickland Forde
“Emmett hugging his best buddy, Cody.” — Arika Estep
“Gracie has Fiona, the therapy beagle who helps with Gracie’s seizures.” — Steve Johnson
“She was his comfort, his calm, his best friend.” — Patricia Duke
“My son with Yoanna the guide dog.” — Blythe Underys
“That’s Pete and Buttercup.” — Karen Chiara Dito
“Jordan with our sweet and extremely patient labrador, Katie.” — Dolly Thomas
“My son and his best friend, Asha.” — Kelly Finucane Lawrence
“We just adopted Gizmo because we noticed our special needs daughter loved animals!” — Jennifer Ban
“Maya and Ivic, her autism assistance dog.” — Isabelle Reid MacNider
“My little one has Wags, her special companion. We also have a special needs cat who tolerates our daughter’s attention beautifully, even letting her dress him up.” — Be-Ka Dexies
“Caleb and Thunder Lips.” — Elissa Newton
“They love each other.” — Anne-Marie Wurzel
“My granddaughter, Coraline, loves her dog, Gypsy!” — Kim Hanson
“Ryder and Zack Baldwin.” — Daria Price Baldwin
“Our German Shepherd is so patient with him no matter what he does with her. They’re best pals.” — Jennifer Manifold
“Blue with Chewbarka the morkie.” — Brandy Turner
“Leah has been my daughter’s best friend and ‘sissy’ since she was born. They’re inseparable. Our sweet rescue puppy.” — Trish Palko
“This is Zak and his best furfriend, Harvey. Zak and Harvey are only 1 month apart in age and are the best of friends. Harvey is so sweet and gentle with Zak, who is not so gentle with Harvey!” — Becky Brately
“My son with autism has two special ones in his life.” — Sabrina McWilliam
“My 8-year-old son, Owen, who has special needs, has a goldendoodle named Huxe. They just love each other!” — Robin Patrick
“Ethan… and his boxer trio.” — Yvonne Austin
*Some responses have been shortened and edited.
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Rachel Kassenbrock is an Associate Editor at The Mighty. She recently graduated from the College of Wooster with a degree in English, and has previously written for the Ms. magazine blog and LifeinLA.com. She now lives in Los Angeles where she enjoys live music, being outside and all things coffee-related. You can follow her at @rkassenbrock or email her at rachel@themighty.com.
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