How a yellow Lab became a lifeline for boy with autism

Ten-year-old Noah Peddle giggles and squeals and wriggles on the floor of his St. Philip's home when Hershey, a yellow Labrador retriever, lies gently across his belly.

It's Noah's happy place. But while it looks like rollicking fun between a boy and his dog, this is not play time.

Hershey is a certified service dog performing the job she was trained to do.

Noah was diagnosed with autism at age two. He's high-functioning and social, but has a sensory processing disorder and often experiences meltdowns.

He relaxes when he feels a weightpushing against him, a weight like a 70-pound Labrador retriever. It calms him like a warm blanket.

Boy and his dog: Autism dog named Hersey helps 10-year-old with autism

8 years ago

Duration 4:24

Hershey is a certified service dog who stays with 10-year-old Noah Peddle.

Other options a weighted vest, for example didn't work, said Lois Rideout, Noah's mother, but the boy and the dog have bonded.

"Hershey is Noah's medication to help his behaviour," she said."It changes his mood. He's happier."

Hershey is trained to react to commands that address Noah's behavioural problems. If Noah becomes agitated, Hershey will "visit" him by putting her head in his lap or near his face.

"If that doesn't work to redirect him, and he gets to the meltdown on the floor, then Hershey will put her entire body over him and calm him," Rideout explained.

Best friends

Hershey does more than pacify;she also protects.

Noah is prone to bolting, he's easily distracted and hesometimes panics in parking lots.

That's not a problem anymore because during outings Noah is tethered to Hershey at all times.

"If [Noah] starts to wander and I don't go the same way, [Hershey] will continue with me and pull him," said Rideout. "If he starts to bolt, I say 'halt.'She will dig herself in and he won't be able to go."

Beyond keeping Noah safe and calm, Hershey plays another important role. She is Noah's best friend.

"That is the only one I got, that I can play with," said Noah.

Rideout said Hersheywill always be there, at music lessons, in bed at night, even in the classroom next year.

"Pretty well 24 hours a day wherever Noah goes, Hershey goes."

$30,000 cost covered by donors

Hershey came into their lives almost by fluke.

Rideout learned about the service in a televisiondocumentary and then investigated online.

She found a group in Ontario, National Service Dogs, and got on the waiting list.

Hershey is Noah's medication ... It changes his mood. He's happier.- Lois Rideout

Eventually the family waspaired with Hershey, an accredited service dog that cost nearly $30,000, an expense covered by private donations.

"We were fortunate that there are people that, for whatever reason, just donate and they don't care as long as the dog goes and helps someone else," said Rideout.

Hershey one of three service dogs paired with children with autism in Newfoundland is not only helping Noah, but also his parents.

"[Noah] is just so much easier to deal with." said Rideout. "There's no fighting when he doesn't want to do anything. He's just happier, and that's all we want is for him to be happy and have as much success as he can."