Local effort seeks to secure service dog for autistic 10-year-old

Kira Deibele-Nations excels at computers and art in school, but is still waiting for a best friend. The 10-year-old has autism, limiting her ability to form functional relationships with children her age.

While she prefers to read nonfiction, her favorite novels include “Warriors,” a series about a clan of warrior cats.

“The person who made it is so… it makes me inspired,” she said.

Her mother, Kristen Deibele-Nations, said Kira likes to pretend a lot…