There is no feeling like that of the after school bell ringing to mark the freedom from another school day, but for a young 91原创 boy the school day comes a little easier now that he has his two-year-old puppy for a desk-mate.

鈥淪he鈥檚 very chill. When I鈥檓 stressed I hug her until I calm down,鈥� said Alex Delamonte, while the Grade 4 student welcomed hugs from his four-legged friend, Meggy.

READ MORE: 91原创 school promotes peace and understanding with development of outdoor classroom

Meggy is an autism support dog, the first welcomed by the 91原创 School District.

鈥淭his is one of the things she鈥檚 trained to do, we call it hugs. So she鈥檒l climb up on his lap, or she鈥檒l lie on top of him and she kisses him,鈥� explained Carla Delamonte, Alex鈥檚 mom.

鈥淥urs is extra licky,鈥� said Alex. 鈥淟et鈥檚 just say we got the lickiest of the litter.鈥�

The pup has been accompanying Alex to school at Lynn Fripps Elementary full time since classes resumed after winter break.

鈥淚f the school is not on board it can鈥檛 happen, so the school is integral,鈥� said Carla.

鈥淜im [the school principal] has just been so open and welcoming and accommodating. If Kim weren鈥檛 on board I don鈥檛 know how this would work.鈥�

The family completed an application process with the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs before they learned whether Meggy would be coming home with them in August.

鈥淲e heard about [the program] from other people in our autism community, and we鈥檙e the kind of parents where if there is anything that can possibly help our son, we explore it.鈥� said Carla.

READ MORE: Three schools gathered the equivalent weight of a Hawaiian monk seal for recycling challenge

Once the foundation accepted the family鈥檚 application Carla was invited to Oakville, ON to complete 10 days of training.

鈥淚f you pass all the tests there you get to bring the dog home with you,鈥� Carla said.

But before Alex could bring Meggy to school with him an assembly was held to inform the staff and students, said Kim Anderson, the school principal.

鈥淥ur whole school was trained with Meggy, not actually how to handle her, but to be aware of her, how not to distract her and how to have her part of our community,鈥� she explained.

In just a few short months Meggy has already change Alex鈥檚 life.

鈥淚 think he鈥檚 a happier boy鈥� generally happier, [he has] a better quality of life, [he鈥檚] calmer [and] more resilient,鈥� she said.

joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .