An autistic child’s best friend provides reliable support

Assistance dogs are a calming, safe presence and encourage sociability, says Colette Sheridan

GOLDEN-COATED Flora, a cross between a Labrador and a retriever, is a placid dog and unobtrusively sits near a table in a Cork City restaurant.

At the table sits assistance dog instructor, Aileen Foy, and her four-year-old niece, Hazel O’Mullane. Dogs such as Flora assist autistic children. Hazel is not autistic: she helps with Flora’s training, acting out children’s behaviour with dogs, such as tail-pulling.