Happy #givingtuesday! EVERY DOLLAR you give is automatically MATCHED up to $125,000. 🐕‍🦺 Link in bio to donate now. For 10-year-old James, who lives with Down Syndrome and hearing loss, it’s difficult to say more than a friendly “hello,” to his peers now that he’s getting older. James’ mom, Larkin, knew her son needed someone extraordinary to help him express himself and connect with others. That “someone” is Nia, a Canine Companions #ServiceDog. She was the key to unlocking James’ world. “Nia makes James feel brave,” Larkin says. “His language and self-expression are developing more because he has something to talk about that others can understand.” For James, Down Syndrome results in low muscle tone, leading to fatigue and reduced energy. However, Nia is there to support James, helping him conserve energy by cleaning up his toys and placing them in the toy box. She also eases his anxiety and fear during appointments by gently nudging him and providing deep pressure. An expertl...