Heartwarming Pics Show Loyal Dog Watching Over Young Autistic Boy In Hospital
Dog lovers the world over already know what an unstoppable force of nature and eighth wonder of the world their four-legged friend’s unconditional devotion and fierce loyalty is, but sometimes a picture comes along which reminds us that dogs really are man’s best friend.
James Isaac cannot speak and is uncomfortable with being touched, except that is by his best friend and loyal dog Mahe.
The loving black Labrador was trained by Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust and one of his chief responsibilities is to keep James safe and calm when he is out in public places, particularly when his human friend is feeling anxious and scared.
The Express reports that during a recent hospital trip where James was required to have an MRI scan to help diagnose the exact nature of his seizures, Mahe refused to leave the traumatized nine-year-old’s side.
The dog laid by James’ side as he was being put under for the scan and was adamant that he was not going anywhere.
Resting his head tenderly on his young master, Mahe kept a diligent watch and was seen nuzzling his best friend and keeping him calm throughout the appointment.
James’ mother Michelle Isaac told Stuff.co.nz, “He was just looking at James, and looking really worried.”
Mahe and James became the best of buddies two-and-a-half years ago when the dog was first welcomed into the family, and since then, they have been pretty inseparable.
He was trained by Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust to keep James safe and calm when they are out in public, especially when the youngster feels anxious and scared.
Wendy Isaacs, who works for Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust, admits she never fails to be amazed at the magical relationship enjoyed between a child with autism and dogs.
“There is such a magic that happens between a child with autism and the dogs, they just calm the kids down.
“The kids will maintain eye contact with the dog, but often not with their own parents and siblings.”
Scientists have proven that man’s best friend can actually recognize emotions in humans. A new study shows that, “dogs can integrate two different sources of sensory information into a perception of emotion in both humans and dogs. This means dogs must have a system of internal categorization of emotional states. Among animal groups, it’s a cognitive ability previously only evidenced in primates.”
Yet anyone who’s ever had a canine friend, doesn’t need a scientific study to prove what they already know – sometimes god chooses to walk on four legs instead of two.
[Photo By Louise Goossens/Facebook]
