Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland - AADI

5 year old Ronan O’Shea and his mum Janet appeared on TV3’s IrelandAM along with Spinx and his trainer Nuala Geraghty (Training Services Manager aadi). You can see the interview here.

Ronan received an extra special birthday present from Mallow based charity Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI). Ronan celebrated his big day with a very wet sloppy birthday kiss from his new autism assistance dog Spinks.

Ronan’s parents Janet and Brian O’Shea from Carrigaline, have expressed their delight at the well timed present. “Ronan having an assistance dog will make such a difference to our home life”, says Janet, who also suffers a disability which requires her to use a wheelchair. “Ronan has been really looking forward to this new furry addition to our family and Spinks will also mean Ronan has a constant special companion.”

Spinks is the 3rd autism assistance dog handed over to families by aadi since its establishment in April 2010. The Newfoundland cross retriever was donated to aadi by a man in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

Breeda Clancy, director of fundraising says, “aadi trains assistance dogs to European standards. We are always overjoyed to be able to hand over trained dogs to their new families, knowing the beneficial effects a trained assistance dog can bring to a challenging family situation”.

Listen to Janet's interview on C103

Click here to see Ronan on IrelandAM

Nuala, the O'Sheas with Spinx, and Breeda at the TV3 studios.

Ronan and gets a sloppy birthday kiss from Spinks

Ronan and Spinx following their TV debut on 4th March 2011

Ronan using the special attachment to connect him with Spinks