A mother who is documenting her three-year-old autistic son’s journey to forming a bond with his pet Labradoodle through a series of heart-warming photos says she’s already spotted things in common between the adorable pair. ‘They both like to chew things and confined spaces,’ Cassandra Merrigan, 29, told Daily Mail Australia. And little Alex thinks pet Ollie makes a great pillow: ‘Ollie has got that really lovely fleece and Alex likes how it feels. You will see Alex rubbing his feet all over Ollie.’ When the cheeky three-year-old was diagnosed with autism this year Cassandra said she was heartbroken but not surprised as she’d had concerns about his speech since he was a toddler.
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Cassandra Merrigan from South Sydney fundraised $15,000 to help buy her autistic son an assistance dog
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Three-year-old Alex was diagnosed with autism earlier this year and it can take him months to form bonds
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Specially trained autism assistance dogs can help improve social skills, provide calm and be used for safety
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Ollie was trained for 10 months and even went to doggy bootcamp before he began helping Alex
Alex
Alex
Alex
Alex
Alex
@placeholder's mother is a graphic designer with a passion for art and Alex has followed in her footsteps with his love of drawing
Cassandra Merrigan
Cassandra
Cassandra Merrigan
@placeholder describes Alex as ‘action packed’ and said he needed to be matched with a dog who would suit him.
Ollie
Ollie
Ollie
Ollie
The family were given four days with a trainer as part of the handover of @placeholder: ‘They teach you how to handle him.
Cassandra Merrigan
Cassandra
Cassandra Merrigan
One of @placeholder’s fondest moments since Ollie joined their family was when Alex curled up with him ‘and used him as a pillow’.
Ollie
Ollie
Ollie
Ollie
The siblings ride around the skatepark while @placeholder sits playfully in the middle