Autistic boy’s ‘guardian angel’ Labrador retriever up for Crufts award
Written by News on 12/03/2017
A Labrador retriever described as an autistic boy’s "guardian angel" will be competing for the Crufts’ dog hero prize.
Caddie is among four dogs nominated for the award to be announced ahead of the top honour, the best in show prize
Caddie works as an assistance dog to 13-year-old Joel Sawyer who has autism and sleep apnoea.
The dog has become a close companion after being trained and given to Joel, of Newquay, Cornwall, by the charity Dogs for Good and helps him cope with stress.
Joel’s mum, Janet, said: "I explained to Joel that he and Caddie were finalists and told him that we would be going to London and to Crufts – two things that are completely out of his comfort zone so I wasn’t sure how he would feel about it all.
"But Joel was so positive, he just said that he would do it because he hoped it would help raise funds and train more assistance dogs just like Caddie."
Caddie is a finalist in the Giving the Best Start in Life category, part of the 2017 Eukanuba Friends for Life – or Crufts’ dog hero – contest.
Guide dog Hudson, also a Labrador retriever, Bull Terrier Bowser and military dog Charlie complete the round of contenders in the category to be judged by a public vote on Sunday.
The four-day competition is expected to attract around 160,000 dog owners and fans to the Birmingham NEC.
The best in show category will close the contest, which has seen entries from 56 countries.
The competition is in its 126th year and has hosted hundreds of cross-breeds that are ranked by their agility, obedience and heelwork to music ability, along with other skills.
(c) Sky News 2017: Autistic boy’s ‘guardian angel’ Labrador retriever up for Crufts award
