When 16-year-old Shane adopted a rescue dog named Callum, he never imagined that this dog would massively change his life. It was Callum who taught him that it's okay to be different. Now, this duo has gone viral for sharing such a positive message to the rest of the world.
Life with Tourette syndrome
Shane Koch has been living with Tourette Syndrome for half of his life. Tourette Syndrome is a condition that involves making repetitive and involuntary movements, commonly known as tics. Shane has gone through numerous treatments to manage his tics, but all of them failed.
Shane's condition made him seem “different” than other teens, so some people would make fun of him. It isn't easy for Shane to live with this condition, along with the emotional and mental toll that came with it.
Despite all the medical effort and scientific approach Shane has gone through, he never thought it would take one dog to manage his condition. Sometime last year, Shane adopted a Rhodesian ridgeback puppy, which he named Callum. He and Callum developed a special bond that the dog learned to sense when Shane was about to have his tics.
Callum changes Shane's life
According to Shane, Callum would gently nudge him whenever he has tics or when the dog knows he's about to get them. The early signal gives Shane the chance to deal with his tics properly.
Although Callum is not a therapy dog, he has this incredible ability to warn Shane of his tics even before they begin. Callum's presence has been life-changing to Shane. Little did he know that having a furry friend can make such a significant impact on his life.
Shane thought he could honor Callum by telling the whole world that it's okay to be different. Through their TikTok account, Shane and Callum show people that it doesn't matter whether you fit in or not. What's important is the accept and love yourself. That account now has over 1.4 million followers!
If there's something we can learn from Shane and Callum's story, it's that self-acceptance is an integral part of one's happiness. And when you throw in a furry best friend into the mix, well, the world becomes an even happier place.
Thanks to callumtheridgy