A FOUR-LEGGED friend has made the world a much less scary place for a 10-year-old boy with autism. 

Life was lonely for Hudson Kelly before Willow joined the family. Donna and Alan Kelly's youngest son struggles to engage with people and has limited social skills, which makes it hard him to make friends. 

The Swindon couple hoped an autism assistance dog might be the answer – and have been amazed by the difference Willow has made.

They took advantage of charity Dogs for Good’s Family Dog service, which arms parents of children with autism with the advice and long-term support needed for choosing and training a dog to help the whole family. 

Donna, 46, said: “Willow doesn’t ask awkward or confusing questions. She doesn’t place demands upon Hudson so he naturally gravitates towards her for comfort and companionship. 

"Wherever he is, she will go. Willow has a very calming and soothing presence on Hudson and seems to be able to turn his upset into smiles and laughter. Hudson says Willow makes every day better for him and makes him feel safe.”

Hudson finds school very hard and at a young age, he tried to avoid going at every opportunity. He has also struggled with his mental health from the age of five.

“It’s heartbreaking to see him in such distress and not really knowing how to help him,” Donna said. 

“The world is a very frightening place for Hudson. He’s very sensitive to the way people speak to him and he’s afraid at night because he sees scary shapes in the dark.

“He’d been asking for a dog for a long time and we noticed that his personality changed when he was around his grandparents’ dog on holidays. 

"It was one of the few things that put a smile on his face.”

Willow has been trained to respond to the command ‘Find Hudson’ and they taught Willow to do a headrest on cue by using a video from Dogs for Good. 

One of the instructors also sent them a video to teach the command ‘middle’ which is good when they are on a free walk and a boisterous dog approaches Willow. Willow can calmly sit between Donna’s legs, where she feels safe.

Donna added: “If Hudson’s had a bad day at school and he’s upset Willow will go and comfort him.

“She sits on the floor with him and puts her head on his lap for as long as it takes, sometimes for as long as an hour, until he feels better. 

"She knows instinctively what to do to calm Hudson down. 

"He’s very tactile and likes to be close to Willow and stroke her, it helps to soothe him and feel calmer.”