A DISABLED boy's special bond with his beloved dog has grown even stronger thanks to a specially adapted ball shooter.

Harry Flynn, 11, from Abbey Meads,was diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy at three months old, meaning he has poor gross motor skills and is reliant on his wheelchair to get around.

The Commonweal School pupil also doesn’t have the strength or co-ordination to throw a ball for his assistance dog Addi – but has been given the chance to do just that after taking delivery of an elite ball launcher.

“Harry so wanted to play fetch with Addi,” said Hilary Flynn, Harry’s mum.

“He has tried and tried but just hasn’t been the one able to do it.

“It’s just really lovely to watch him use the ball shooter now. To see the smile on Harry’s face, he’s so pleased to able to give something back to Addi ,who just loves to run after a ball."

A team of product designers from the Cerebra Innovation Centre – a partnership between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the charity, Cerebra – produced the tennis ball shooter for the family.

The team, which specialises in designing and building innovative, bespoke products for disabled children, took a tennis shooter as their starting point and adapted it with 3D printed parts.

They designed a bracket so that the launcher could sit on Harry’s wheelchair frame. The firing mechanism was also altered so that the ball can be released without requiring great dexterity.

“It’s made such a big difference,” said Harry.

“Being able to throw a ball for my dog, I feel more able to bond with him. I really enjoy using it.”

Hilary continued: “The dog brings it back to Harry each time, and it’s all about building that relationship between them.

"Addi is Harry’s assistance dog, so his relationship with Harry has to be the strongest out of everyone in the family.

“It just makes the whole experience of going out with the dog more relaxing. You’re not feeling guilty that you’re the one throwing the ball when you know Harry wants to do.

“And when his younger brother wants to throw the ball for Addi, I no longer say no, because this won’t disrupt Harry’s relationship with the dog.”

Addi, who came from the charity Dogs for Good, has been with Harry for the past two years.

“He helps Harry by doing things like opening doors, opening drawers, turning light switches on and helping to remove socks and coats,” said Hilary.

“It’s good for Harry to have a bit of independence and not always rely on mum and dad for everything.

“But it’s really important that Addi gets to race round and be a normal dog sometimes and not constantly be working."

She added: “Harry loves music, performing arts, films and TV but this has really helped encourage him to go outside, which, prior to having Addi, he never liked doing."