A prescription for companionship

Publisher: The Weekend Sun           Date: 13 April 2018

Kaiden doesn’t make friends easily. That’s often the way with children with autism spectrum disorder.

But when Murphy, a 13-week-old labradoodle, moseyed up to the boy and smothered him with slobbery puppy love, something magical happened – cuddles, smiles, connection, and friendship. It was meant to be. Because Kaiden’s folks are looking to get their special boy a special dog, a therapy dog. And the meeting was a test to see if a boy and a dog were right for each other.

“Kaiden just melted, loved him” says mum Elley Mullany. “Absolutely the right match up,” says Kiwi Pride labradoodle breeder Wendy Isaacs. “Perfect temperament – calm, sensitive a…