John Dolan: What a newshound... meet the assistance dog called ‘Echo’!
Echo was born last July and the AADI says has been the first to do everything in the pack.
Yes, meet the utterly cute and adorable - and brilliantly named - Echo. She is a newly-born member of Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI), which trains the animals to make a real difference in the lives of autistic children and their families.
Born on July 25, she has already begun the journey to hopefully become a future member of the AADI team, and be allocated to a suitable family.
And what a wonderful start in life for the labrador, who was lucky enough to be part of a large litter that were all allocated names related to Cork!
Echo, of course, needs no introduction, named after the esteemed, venerable publication.
Her siblings were named:
Conna, after the village in north-east Cork.
Lee, after the river.
Mizen, in honour of the peninsula.
Rebel - the county’s nickname.
Patrick, a nod to the city’s famous Patrick Street.
And Nano - in honour of Nano Nagle, the religious sister after whom several city landmarks are named.
The pups, a combination of all-yellow and all-black, were born to proud momma Ellie who is, I am assured by AADI, a “trooper”.
A spokesperson for AADI said Echo was named in honour of the “iconic” newspaper, and even provided some quotes from her, straight from the puppy’s mouth!
Flattery will get you everywhere round here, Echo!
She added: “I’m bright, observant, and never miss a beat. I get stuck into everything and love nothing more than kisses and hugs with my favourite people.
“I’m ready to write a life-changing story, one front page moment at a time.”
Echo has really stood out, says AADI, as someone who “is first to do everything in the pack. If speed, chaos, and absolute recklessness were a professional sport, this girl would already be going for gold!”
We will follow Echo’s journey closely here at Echo Towers, as she embarks on her first paw-steps to a career as an assistant dog.
The AADI was founded in Cork in 2010 by Nuala Geraghty, a former employee of Irish Guide Dogs in the city.
The AADI is dedicated to training dogs which can become helpers, supporters, guides, and family pets for children with autism, and their families.
The highly-trained animals will support a child and their family when out in public, with a strong focus on safety and reduced anxiety.
The next stage is for Echo and her siblings to be allocated a foster home for the next 12 months of their life.
Here, they gain crucial social skills and learn about the world in a safe and loving environment as they grow up.
After that first year, the foster parents hand them back and the dogs enter specialised training with the AADI’s team of dedicated trainers.
Only when they have been proven to be top dogs in their field are they allocated a family - and the average length of stay for each dog in each home is a decade.
Among the testimonials on the AADI website is this story relating to 11-year-old Noah and his assistance dog Alfie.
“From the moment he arrived, Alfie formed an incredible bond with Noah, his siblings, and our whole family.
“Thanks to Alfie, we can now do things we never imagined possible. From shopping trips and swimming pool visits to hospital appointments and even family holidays, Alfie’s presence has brought calm, safety, and joy. He’s given Noah a sense of independence too.
“Alfie is like a superstar in his working jacket.”
AADI also offers Educational Assistance Dogs for schools and Buddy Dogs for companionship, helping create a positive impact in children’s lives.
You can find out more about how to get involved in fostering, and fund-raising, at www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie
Throughout October, AADI is running an 80K October Challenge. Walk or run 80km that month and raise vital funds for the charity. Sign up, get your free 80K Challenge T-shirt, and get moving!
See: https://www.autismassistancedogsireland.ie/
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