We met Cashel the autism assistance dog a few weeks ago, in December.

This follow up episode features a planning discussion on how Cashel will support Leo over the next year. 

Leo, his parents, and Hilary Armour of Dogs for Autism have kindly agreed to share the audio of this development meeting. It gives a good insight into the level of care and thought that support a successful autism assistance dog relationship.  

A fascinating aspect of autism assistance dogs placed with young people is that both dog and human companion are still maturing and developing. Cashel was placed originally with Leo as a sixth form student with a predictable life.  Now Leo is forging a career in acting and music his life is less predictable and more complex. Which is part of why it's so interesting.

Thanks to Leo and family and Dogs for Autism for sharing this. Neurodiverse people (and their needs) vary hugely. An assistance dog is not for everyone, however appealing it looks. We know from the many approaches we've had via the podcast that a lot of people crave information about autism assistance dogs.

We hope to keep bringing you updates on Cashel and Leo, and provide a window into the ebb and flow, challenges and delights of a successful autism assistance dog and human relationship over time.

Cashel was trained and placed with Leo by the charity Dogs for Autism.

Find out more about autism assistance dogs in previous Dogs with Jobs interviews:

• Meet Daisy, another autism assistance dog who works with a non-verbal autistic teenager; 
• Hear an Interview from October 2021 with Hilary Armour talking about the work of the charity, Dogs for Autism.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023

You can find more information in other episodes and photos etc on our webpage at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.