My True Friend

Janet Sayer on how autism assistance dog Caddie, a very special contender at Crufts, has transformed the life of teenage son Joel Mum Janet can relax with Caddie around.

- Caren Clark

Seeing your child smile properly for the first time is a joy for all parents. But for Janet Sayer, it was a milestone she never dreamed of experiencing with her 13-year old son Joel, who has autism, ADHD, speech and language problems and a sensory disorder.

‘He used to be in his own little world and didn’t communicate properly,’ mum-of-five Janet, 52, tells TV Times. ‘He never really smiled or showed emotion. He was a sad little boy and there was no light at the end of the tunnel.’

But Joel’s life changed forever four years ago when his family got autism assistance dog Caddie, a Labrador/Golden Retriever cross, from the charity Dogs for Good.