The Hickey family went through multiple counseling sessions and invested a considerable amount of money in trying to find an effective treatment for their son’s autism. Eventually, they discovered that an abused pitbull puppy, who had barely survived, would be the answer they were looking for. Grant and Linda Hickey, who reside in Georgia, were delighted when their second child, Johnny, was born. However, it wasn’t long before they noticed something was amiss with their baby. “We couldn’t comprehend what was happening,” Linda told CNN. Johnny received an autism diagnosis during his early years.
After seeking multiple medical opinions, Johnny was diagnosed with autism, which meant that his parents had to take on the daunting task of teaching him everything. However, in addition to developmental problems, Johnny had several behavioral issues that made things even more challenging for his family. For instance, he had a fear of food, which meant that he couldn’t even order cold cuts at the deli counter without breaking down in tears. Despite years of therapy and thousands of dollars spent, Johnny’s behavior remained unchanged. It was then that Linda Hickey, Johnny’s mother, heard about Xena, a pitbull puppy who had been rescued from an abusive owner. Linda became captivated by Xena’s story and prayed for her every night. When animal control found Xena, she was starved and physically abused, but Linda was determined to help her.
The woman expressed interest in adopting the dog, but her spouse was hesitant. According to Chrissy Kaczynski, the founder of Friends for Animals and rescue coordinator at Dekalb County Animal Services, Xena, the puppy, was in an extremely poor state, unlike any other case she had seen throughout her years of rescue work. However, after dedicated care, Xena recovered and was put up for adoption. Linda, who had been following Xena’s story, felt compelled to adopt her, but her husband was skeptical due to their autistic son and two existing dogs, and he wondered about potential issues with Xena. Despite his doubts, Linda convinced him, and the adoption application was accepted. When they went to pick up Xena for fostering, they brought Johnny along too, and the Hickeys ultimately adopted Xena. The couple was surprised by the deep bond that formed between Xena and Johnny.
Initially, nobody expected Johnny to bond with the little puppy. He wasn’t particularly keen on playing with the two other dogs the family owned. However, as soon as Xena hopped into the car, Linda noticed a remarkable change in Johnny’s behavior. “He was talking so much more than he usually does at home,” Linda told CNN. That moment marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship between Johnny and Xena, which also led to a significant transformation in Johnny’s demeanor. “It’s so emotional when I think about it,” Grant expressed to CNN. “The dog had an impact on our son that therapy worth tens of thousands of dollars couldn’t achieve.” Surprisingly, Johnny overcame his fear of food through his time with Xena. He began touching and even feeding the family’s other dogs. Their friendship enabled Johnny to make progress with certain developmental challenges related to his autism.
Grant, Johnny’s owner, revealed to CNN that he includes bananas in their homemade dog food after cutting them up for his furry friend. It is evident that Johnny and Xena share a unique connection, which Christian Hickey, Johnny’s brother, believes goes beyond just being mere companions. Christian shared with CNN that the bond between the two runs deep as they seem to understand each other on a spiritual level. Johnny and Xena have become inseparable, and their love for each other is undeniable. While the Hickey family may have saved Xena, it is clear that Xena has also had a positive impact on Johnny’s life. Their heartwarming story can be watched below.