Special-needs child and parents ask for help finding service dog

Dylan Torres, 11, and his mother Yvonne reminisce over pictures of his service dog, Maya.

Maya ran away from home Feb. 5.

“I feel sad. She’s my assistant,” Dylan said.

Two years ago, Dylan’s doctors recommended he get a service dog after he was diagnosed with Prader Willy syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects many parts of the body and leads to weak muscle tone, poor growth and delayed development.

Yvonne told ABC-7 that Dylan has trouble balancing and Maya helps him with his stability.

“She’s a police dog and she would greet me,” Dylan said.

Yvonne said the two were inseparable — Dylan would take Maya to school and she would help him when he was having an anxiety attack.

“When I get frustrated, I hug Maya,” Dylan said.

Yvonne told ABC-7 that they haven’t stopped searching for for their furry family member, and that Dylan hopes his dog will be found and be returned to him.

Maya is microchipped.

Call Yvonne Torres with information on Maya’s whereabouts at (915) 309-8182.