A VERY special four-legged friend has been reunited with the Limerick family whose lives have been changed by his arrival in their home.
Darcy, a two-year old black labrador who is an Autism assistance dog, went missing last week and was the focus of a huge search campaign to get him back to his heartbroken owner, nine-year old Sadia Coptu.
Mallow-based charity Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland launched a social media campaign to locate him.
Clare dog warden and ISPCA welfare officer, Frankie Coote rescued the dog from a derelict building, where he had gotten in but could not get out again.
“Everyone was involved – taxi drivers, gardai, the public. I kept my phone on all night. I would always try very hard to find any dog that is reported missing but everyone helped and pushed even harder because this dog was owned by a child with special needs”.
Darcy went missing in Ennis last week when the family stopped at a garage for a coffee. “There was a very loud noise and he just bolted. He was on the lead but got such a fright he just took off,” Frankie explained.
Sadia’s mother, Miriam said the Dooradoyle family were delighted that Darcy had been found safe.
“The changes that we have seen with Sadia since the dog arrived have been very important for us. Before, going to the beach or just going for a walk was hell because Sadia has no sense of danger – she would just run off or run on to the road. Now she sticks closely to the dog.
“She has become very attached to him. We give Darcy commands and she follows him. It means we can do things as a family”, Miriam said.
