GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

Family says autism service dog has made big difference in Joy Hilton’s life

Every day for three years, Joy Hilton has had Raven by her side.

A best friend, offering unconditional love.

At school, Raven lies down on a mat next to Joy’s desk. At dentist appointments, she lays on top of Joy — nose to chin — helping her through checkups. At bedtime, Raven is on Joy’s bed, sleeping right beside her.

It was “love at first sight,” said Joy’s mom, Krista Hilton.

“She was just over the moon to meet Raven,” she said. “She adores her … it was surprising how quickly Raven settled in, it felt like she belonged with us.”

Joy was diagnosed with autism when she was nine years old. Hilton said it was suspected for a while, but took “a long time and a long process” to get an official diagnosis.

But it was through a family friend that Hilton became aware of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, an organization that trains guide dogs to help adults and children with disabilities — through seven different programs, including vision impairment, seizure response and trauma — navigate the world.

Knowing how much her daughter loved dogs, the family went through the application and interview process, and Joy was approved to receive a dog as part of the organization’s autism assistance program.

Then it was a matter of waiting for the right match.

Every dog is assessed to the needs of the child, as autism affects every child differently. For Joy, too much stimulus in an environment, especially all at once, “becomes overwhelming,” explained Hilton, resulting in sensory or emotional meltdowns.

Joy either shuts down entirely,

‘‘ She was just over the moon to meet Raven. She adores her. KRISTA HILTON

hiding under a table, or becomes upset and angry. Hilton said they found heavy pressure helps stabilize Joy, and one of Raven’s key commands is “hugs,” with Raven coming onto Joy’s body to help ground her.

“Raven just licks her face and helps Joy regulate and feel that affirmation and love,” said Hilton.

“It’s been a tremendous blessing. It’s been life changing.”

Joy also deals with social anxiety, so while her daughter desires social connection, the normal give and take of friendship doesn’t come naturally.

“She often doesn’t know what to say, or might say inappropriate things,” said Hilton. “People will start distancing themselves from her because either she’s coming on too strong or she’s too demanding or expects too much. Because Joy is a very intense child, so she wants all your love, all your attention.”

Having Raven beside her is a bridge in those situations.

“I have seen interactions happen where Joy is just glowing with pride that she has Raven,” said Hilton. “Everyone seems so interested in her and she’s able to talk a lot about her dog, which gives her something to say.”

The Hilton family could see and feel the love Raven brought to Joy’s life immediately, with Raven never showing any hesitancy around Joy.

“Especially when she was having a meltdown, (Joy) would be hugging Raven and crying into her fur and Raven was great with that. She was never skittish. The dogs are trained to be desensitized to a lot of yelling and screaming and crying,” said Hilton.

Courtney Starr, head instructor of the autism assistance program and facility support program, said training a support dog takes about six to eight months, and usually starts when the animal is about 10 to 14 months old. Dog Guides provides dogs to all handlers free of charge, but they typically cost about $35,000 to breed — Dog Guides breeds Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Poodles — raises, trains and places them.

“Our dogs help out immensely. They allow our clients to gain that independence that they’ve lost,” said Starr.

Because dogs in the autism service program go through several transitions — many service dogs have only one handler, but autism service dogs have to listen to parents, as well as the child — the breed of dog is important, explained Starr.

“We had to find those breeds that were able to be comfortable in all environmental changes,” she said. “They’re just able to love whoever is talking to them, who’s ever working with them.”

Joy is now 13 years old and has had Raven for three years. Thinking back to a time before Raven, Joy said every day was “harder,” and now it’s “better.”

When Raven is not nearby, Joy said she feels “sad because I feel lonely and I don’t have the support.”

Summing up her feelings for her best friend in a birthday card, Joy wrote: “You helped me so much through tough times. I love you.”

As a mom, seeing Joy struggle breaks Hilton’s heart, but to see her relationship with Raven is difficult to put into words.

“I don’t know if I can even name all the ways that Raven has been of benefit … emotionally, she’s been Joy’s anchor,” she said. “When she struggles with friends, she’ll say, ‘At least I have Raven. Raven is my best friend. Raven loves me.’ It’s that unconditional love … that counters the rejection she feels in other areas of her life.

Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser, taking place in 300 communities, including Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Grimsby on or around the national walk day of May 29. More information can be found at walkfordogguides.com.