A year ago, the community came together to raise funds so a Wareham boy suffering from autism could get a service dog to help him through his everyday life.

Last week, golden retriever Jake came home to Wareham to live with four-year-old Shane Traver. Shane's parents say they can already see what a difference the pup is making in Shane's life.

"The short time we've had Jake, he's relaxed Shane," said Michele Traver, Shane's mother.

Jake was living in a "transition home" with a family member in Duxbury, where he was completing some preliminary training before he moved to his permanent home in Wareham on November 2. Though the pooch has only been home for a week, Shane is now sleeping in his own bed instead of with mom and dad for the first time in years.

"That's a huge thing for us right now!" Michele said.

Shane was diagnosed with autism, a developmental disorder affecting communication and social skills, just after his second birthday. In an effort to help him, Michele and her husband, Kevin, decided to pursue getting a service dog for their son.

The couple was faced, however, with a three-week deadline to raise $5,000 to secure a golden retriever pup from a December 2010 litter from the North Star Foundation (www.NorthStarDogs.com) of Connecticut. The organization breeds and trains service dogs and has helped many autistic children.

Thanks to the help of the community, including an East Wareham couple who donated $4,000, the family was able to raise more than $10,000 in that period, which not only secured the dog, but will pay for Jake to be certified for "full public access," meaning Shane will eventually be able to take Jake wherever he goes.

"Eventually we do want Jake to go to school with Shane," Michele said. "Shane tends to not have as many meltdowns" with Jake around to provide comfort during periods of anxiety.

In his continued training, Jake is learning skills that will help keep Shane safe, including a command to stay with Shane when he goes outside and a "find Shane" command.

Shane tends to wander, said Michele, so the "find Shane" command is especially important. The family recently had to put a lock that can only be opened with a key on the back door of their home because Shane had figured out how to unlock the door to leave the house.

"Shane's really smart," Michele said. She joked: "He's Houdini!"

Michele and Kevin continue to thank the community for rallying to help their family. Michele said she hopes the community will continue to check in to see how Shane and Jake are doing.

"We had such a huge community collaboration. We wouldn't have this opportunity if it weren't for them," Michele said. "I want the community to be part of the process."