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When Shane and Deirdre Horgan suspected that their youngest son, Fionn, might be autistic, they put their name on a waiting list for a service dog. Two years later, My Canine Companion gave them Bosco, an exceptionally talented Goldendoodle who has quickly become a much-loved member of the family. Their new furry friend is getting on great with Fionn (6) and his older brother Brian (8) and Shane says Bosco has already made a big difference.

“Thankfully Fionn is mild on the spectrum but what we’ve noticed now is that whenever he’s crying or having a bit of a moment, Bosco will go over and sit down next to him. If we’re in town, Fionn might get a little over-sensitive to noise and things like that and he’ll start rubbing Bosco’s tail. It kind of distracts him from whatever’s going on.

“We were at the beach one day and Fionn decided to run off. The dog ran after him, and then came back up to tell me where he was. He didn’t leave Fionn’s side for the rest of the day after that. Our biggest fear for Fionn is that he might wander off for five seconds and he’s so quiet he wouldn’t answer if we called him. Hopefully when Bosco is fully trained we’ll be able to attach him to Fionn’s waist. If you commanded him to stay, he wouldn’t move and you could tell him to come and he wouldn’t run across the road or anything. It’s just a safety valve.

“Talking is difficult for Fionn so when somebody comes and asks if they can pet the dog, we get the person to speak to him. It’s a good icebreaker and there’s a bit of social interaction, which is beneficial for Fionn.”

As a service dog, Bosco has access rights to shops and restaurants and Shane says that places in town have been very welcoming so far.

It costs about €10,000 to train Bosco so the Horgans are currently selling raffle tickets to raise funds for My Canine Companion, the charity who have provided them with this life-changing service dog. As well as raising money, they’re also hoping to raise awareness about autism.

“Sometimes it’s not just a bold child,” Shane explains. “There can be a lot of things going on. Simple things like eating and sleeping are difficult for Fionn. People need to be aware that when a kid is having a bit of a moment in Penneys or Dunnes, it’s probably an accumulation of loads of things that the child is struggling with.”

Shane, a well-known local basketballer, says the fundraising has been going well. “Killarney people are brilliant,” he says. “They support everything.”

The draw will take place on June 16 and there are plenty of terrific prizes up for grabs. To buy a ticket, contact Shane directly on 086 3740220.