dogjournal:

COSTA RICA’S FIRST SERVICE DOG FOR AUTISM -“The project is very much a novelty in Costa Rica because up to now no assistance dog of this kind has been trained for that country or delivered there.”

Xena, a Labrador Retriever puppy, is the first service dog in Costa Rica to be trained to help patients with autism. An organization called the Association of Dog-Assisted Therapies based in Spain is facilitating the training. She will be paired up with a 7-year-old autistic boy and will provide emotional assistance as well as guide him around. Here’s more from latino.foxnews.com:

Aaron is suffering an autistic disorder and thanks to Xena will be able to lower his stress and anxiety levels, since “the simple act of hugging, brushing or walking the dog is enough to reduce both symptoms,” Signes said.

“The dog will also teach him to walk down the street correctly and will direct his steps in the right areas, as far away from the edge of the sidewalk as possible,” Signes said.

The animals are used in such cases as motivational agents to reduce attention disorder, boost self-esteem, memory, concentration and even improve emotional relationships.

Not only is Xena a groundbreaking service dog in Costa Rica, she will also forever change the life of this boy. Click here for the full story.