‘Mancub’s first interactions weren’t with humans but with Fern. He had a sparkle in his eye we hadn’t seen before.
‘He is a true animal lover and prefers animals to people. He is now an excellent communicator with non-stop chattering.’
Fern was homed as a puppy in 2017 when Leon was a baby and they’ve grown up together.They love playing hide and seek and wearing matching outfits.
‘Amongst other things, she helps Mancub calm down when he has a meltdown often providing deep pressure stimulation, she guards the stairs to stop him hurting himself, she gets between him and the floor when he is trying to bang his head, and generally gives him comfort when needed.Add Brushing Your Dogs Teeth into Their Grooming Routine. Get in the habit of brushing your dogs teeth daily to avoid expensive dental visits later. You can use a human toothbrush if you like (though they make ones for dogs, too), but be sure to pick up tooth paste that’s formulated for dogs.
‘She has numerous routines and tasks that make our family life so much easier and she loves helping out. We couldn’t imagine not having her assistance now.
‘Mancub and Fern is a partnership that will keep getting stronger and stronger, in all honesty she is at her happiest when she’s with her boy. She just loves to help.‘Fern has completely transformed Mancub’s life.’ Hayley and husband Karsten want to help other autistic children and are fundraising for to provide assistance dog for other families.
A Facebook page they’ve created in tribute to Fern has more than 4,000 followers.
Hayley added: ‘Knowing what a huge difference Fern has made to our lives and especially Mancub’s, my dream was to help another family with an autistic child, who cannot afford to do this themselves, in the way that Fern has helped us.
‘Therefore since the start of lockdown Mancub and I have been making embroidered items to fundraise for the first T.A.P. Assistance Dog – a fully trained working cocker spaniel.INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Former Michael Vick dogs, Sox and Hector, are certified therapy dogs. They now spend their days cheering up people at hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
‘We are now very close to getting another autistic child their very own ‘Fern’ and my dream is coming true.’
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