Autism 'support' dog is lifechanger for schoolgirl
PH It's hoped the pup will help Hannah sleep better at night
Hannah, who has autism, struggles to make friends and sleep at night. But the nine-year-old from Broxburn, West Lothian, has chosen chocolate Labrador Bailie to be her lifelong best friend. The six-week-old pup is from the Waggy Dog Project, which helps support children with autism. He’ll be allowed to go home with Hannah in a week’s time but mum Sarah, 32, says he has already changed her daughter’s life.
She said: “A fter my daughter was diagnosed with autism a friend suggested we went along to Waggy Dogs and she’s come a huge way since she started. “Bailie is a very cute chocolate lab who is going to be her best friend. “He will lick her tears when she gets upset and comfort her before she goes to sleep.” Hannah finds night-time difficult, but she will now have Bailie by her side to calm her down and help her get to sleep. Ms Borthwick said: “It was Hannah that decided on Bailie. He was the only one who wouldn’t whine when picked up. He just lay on her and fell asleep.”
PH Bailie the labrador will wear a sash as an official assistance dog