When Amanda Granados first met Roxy the Pit Bull, her 14-year-old autistic son Joey had never hugged or kissed her. And he’d never let his mom hug or kiss him, either.

But when Granados brought Roxy home from a Best Friends adoption event, Joey was so excited that he threw his arms around his mom and kissed her on the cheek for the first time.

Granados told TODAY, “For all those years, he wouldn’t hold my hand, he wouldn’t hug me – it was all part of the autism – but this dog has taught him how to give and show affection. He holds my hand now! He hugs me!”

Like teenagers living with Autism, Pit Bulls are also totally misunderstood — a connection Joey’s mom believes helped them bond so closely. And not only has Joey bonded with Roxy, he’s bonding with his mom and finding it easier to make friends.

Roxy hasn’t just made the Granados’ lives richer, she’s become the latest ambassador for a much maligned and misunderstood breed. Roxy shows us all that you shouldn’t judge dogs (or people) until you get to know them!

Your “Hug a Pit Bull” Gift Guru,
Linda