Service Dog Helps Enrich The Life Of Autistic Child

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- For the parents of Autistic children, an afternoon outing can be nearly impossible.

But that has changed for one Carlsbad family.

Five-year-old Jolena Gonzales has a special bond with “Muffit,” one that has changed her life.

"Her communication skills have tripled in the 3-months since Muffit’s been home with us. Her personality is coming out, she’s much more social," said Jolena’s mother, Rebecca Cook.

Before Muffit, leaving the carousel at the mall would have created a scene.

"Kicking, screaming, tensing up. Flattening herself out on the ground, what most people would call a tantrum, but take a tantrum and multiply it by ten," said Cook.

But a new program called "Leash On Life," uses volunteers from “Tender Loving Canines” to help families learn how to make service dogs like Muffit, a part of their lives.

"I've been involved with this family for a good six months. I've probably been to 20 doctors appointments, therapy sessions," said Karena Shultz, a trainer with “Tender Loving Canines.”

The dogs help calm the children and allow the families a more normal lifestyle, after just a few weeks of training.

"We get very simple with the cues, so that they can maneuver the dog. If they go out in public, they can have the dog go lay down where they want it to, go under a bench or under a table like here if they want it to," said Shultz.

Caring for Muffit has given Jolena a sense of responsibility that has carried over to the rest of her life.

"The differences I see in my child, it has given her the opportunity to lead the life that she didn’t have before. She can be normal and go places, and do things she couldn’t do before," added Cook.

Muffit is a shining example of why dogs are man’s best friend.