More funds for dogs for autistic children

A project providing assistance dogs for children with autism received a €500,000 boost yesterday as the Minister for Education Mary Hanafin announced funding for the scheme.

Ms Hanafin said it had been found that "the company of a guide dog can help children as a therapy, as companionship and for safety". She said programmes like this broke down fears about autism and created awareness.

There are about 80 families on the waiting list for these dogs, which are trained by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. It takes the organisation two years to train each dog and it hopes to increase the number of dogs trained each year from 20 to 45.

The organisation also gives training to the families as well as aftercare support in their own homes, explains the organisation's chief executive, Pádraig Mallon. It currently has 38 dogs for children with autism.

Mary White and her nine-year- old son Eamon received a dog a month ago. Already Ms White says it has calmed Eamon down, slowed his pace and made him much steadier. The pair are linked with a special belt and she explains that they can now go for a walk without fear of Eamon lying in the middle of the road or jumping around. She says she is thrilled that she can go to restaurants without being afraid that Eamon's behaviour will get out of hand and embarrass his siblings.

This impact on the family is reflected by Fiona Whooley, mother of nine-year-old Murray, who also has an assistance dog. She has been on holidays to Spain with the dog without the stress of difficult behaviour in airport queues and on the plane. Both mothers say the dogs with their blue jackets are a physical sign that their children have a special need. As a result people give the children more of a chance when their behaviour becomes challenging.