OMAHA, Neb. —

3-year-old Luca Wirick's combination of Down syndrome and profound deafness sets him apart from the kids, but he continues to shine bright.

"Luca's name means 'bringer of light,' and that really seems to fit his personality. Luca is a kiddo who brings a lot of joy and smiles to people," his mother, Joanna, said.

Joanna and Andrew, Luca's father, are concerned for his safety.

"Using our voice to get his attention in a dangerous situation, we can't do that," Joanna said.

But they've found a solution — a service dog.

"He can use the dog for stability, and then also for that, the dog will also be able to provide him with sensory support," Joanna said.

"Having a part of our family that helps make sure he's safe and that he can do that in a safe way is an incredibly upliftin

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