People often say dogs are our best companions, but I’ve come to realize they can also be some of our most unexpected teachers. When my family got our first dog in 2019, Millie was a tiny three-pound puppy. At first, it felt like I had convinced everyone else to go along with it for me, as I was the only one who truly wanted her. But as time went on, I realized that bringing her into our home impacted my family in ways I never could have imagined—especially my older brother, Alex.
Alex is on the spectrum, and one of the challenges he faced growing up was understanding how to care for someone or something beyond himself. With such a small puppy in the house, the need to be gentle and patient wasn’t optional—it was necessary. In the beginning, Alex struggled with this, not fully grasping how his actions affected her. Our puppy would sometimes run away from him, clearly scared, and it was difficult for him to process why.
But over time, something incredible happened. Alex began to notice Millie’s cues—the way she would back away if he moved too quickly, or how she would approach him when he was calm and soft-spoken. Slowly, he learned how to adjust, how to be careful, and how to care for her in a way that made her feel safe. It wasn’t an overnight change, but little by little, his patience and empathy grew.
The most powerful part of this story is that those lessons didn’t just stay with the dog. They carried into other parts of his life. To this day, I can see how Alex has become more understanding and thoughtful with people as well. Our little three-pound puppy not only grew into a beloved family member, but she also became one of Alex’s greatest teachers—helping him learn skills that no one could have explained to him in the same way.
Looking back, I thought I was the one who wanted the dog the most. But in reality, she ended up being the one who gave Alex something that changed him forever.
This year, having the chance to work on the National Dog Show feels especially meaningful because of the role dogs have played in my own family’s story. What started as me begging for a puppy in 2019 ended up becoming one of the most impactful experiences for my brother, Alex, and for all of us. Now, getting to be part of an event that celebrates dogs and the joy they bring only adds to the tradition my family and I share each Thanksgiving as we gather to watch together. The show will be taking place November 15–16 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, with tickets available at nds.nationalshow.com. If you can’t make it in person, you can still join the millions of families tuning in on Thanksgiving Day from 12–2 p.m. in all time zones on NBC—I know my family will be watching with Millie right by our side.