When Autism Assistance Dog Star arrived at Stacey and Travis’s home in Vermont on July 14th this year, the house was full of anticipation. Stacey recalled feeling full of excitement, and a little nervous, not knowing what she would be like or how Jacob might react. But the moment Star stepped inside, those worries dissolved.
The bond between Jacob and Autism Assistance Dog Star was clear from the start
“For us, it was love at first sight,” Stacey shared. “She’s such a pretty dog, silky soft, and within minutes of being off leash in the house she’d already found her basket of toys, picked one out, and invited us to play.”
For Jacob, who had watched many foster dogs come and go, this moment carried an even deeper significance. All through placement he kept saying, “I love you, Star,” filled with the joy of knowing that this time, she was his dog to keep.
Soon, Star became someone Jacob could rely on. Before she joined the family, difficult moments often meant Jacob retreating alone to his room.
Stacey shared, “Now there are moments when Jacob wants nothing to do with Mom or Dad but instead of withdrawing, he’ll often call for Star, and the two of them camp out together—listening to an audiobook or just quietly hanging out. She’s incredibly patient with him.”
Even Star’s natural joy has become a grounding force in their home. Stacey described how Star will pick up one of her stuffed toys and circle around them with it in her mouth. “It’s a simple act that has completely broken the spell of a bad mood many times over. Jacob is so charmed by her cuteness,” she added. “It can turn a hard moment around instantly.”
Star’s presence has reshaped daily life in ways the family never expected. “Jacob put it perfectly when he said that before Star we had a perfect family. But now that Star is with us, he can’t imagine our family without her.” Stacey echoed this, saying,
“She completes us in a way that we never could have imagined, and it’s been such a joy for us to fall in love with her together.”
Jacob and Star enjoy some snuggle time together
Her arrival has also opened the door to bigger conversations within the family. “Star’s presence has been an opportunity for us to talk with Jacob about the importance of connection versus control, power with versus power over, as well as helping him recognize that even though he’s a kid, he still has a lot of authority compared to Star and with this authority comes responsibility,” Stacey said.
Public outings with Star have brought the family new opportunities to work together. Stacey shared that they’ve had more success when both parents are there—one focused on Jacob and the other on Star—and have been reassured that with time and continued training, it will keep getting easier. And on the days when Star draws attention, the family often enjoys the smiles and warm interactions she invites from the community.
Through all these experiences, gratitude remains constant for the whole family. Stacey said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you! To the donors and volunteers who made Star’s placement possible, we cannot overstate our gratitude. She is such a gift, and her quiet confidence and sweet patience feel like a testament to the breeding program, the trainers, and the incredible work of her Puppy Raiser, Elli.”
The connection with Elli has become especially meaningful. “We shared that with Elli during our Zoom call at the end of placement week and it was a deeply-felt experience for all of us,” Stacey said. Since then, she has stayed in touch, sending photos of Star’s adventures—especially during the family’s RV road trip since July. “Anytime Star shows a moment of confidence or skill that reflects her upbringing, we make sure to pass that along to Elli with heartfelt appreciation,” said Stacey.
“To think that Star’s placement was made possible through donations from folks we will never know is a profound reminder of how much goodness and generosity there is in the world,” Stacey reflected.
And in their home—filled now with soft toys, warm routines, and the quiet companionship of a boy and his dog—that generosity continues to echo every day.
Would you or someone you care about benefit from an Autism Assistance Dog? Visit dogsforbetterlives.org/autism-dogs to learn more about their work, and apply.
