Mirror People’s Pet Awards - How labrador Oslo changed Emily’s life
Our team went through thousands of nominations to produce a shortlist for the judging panel, who chose which incredible animals and animal lovers should receive a trophy.
We’ll be revealing them every week on this page - today it’s the winner of our Caring Animal award, awesome Oslo.
From the moment they met assistance dog Oslo, Steven and Dawn Chilvers knew they’d found the perfect pup for their family.
The adorable black Lab, just 18 months old when they met him, joined the family in 2019 as an autism assistance dog for their daughter Emily.
A twin to sister Olivia, Emily was diagnosed with autism at just two and a half after her parents noticed differences in their daughters’ development.
Finding Oslo was a game-changer.
“Emily, who’s 10 now, was beaming from ear to ear as soon as she saw him,” recalls dad Steven. “She was so happy to engage with him from the very first visit, we felt hugely encouraged right from the start – and we were right to feel that way.”
Among the many positive changes that have come about with Oslo’s support is an improvement in Emily’s language – with her beloved dog featuring among her most-used words and phrases.
“One of her favourite things to say is ‘Oslo up’, when she’s asking him to hop up on her bed,” says Steven, from Long Buckby, Northamptonshire. “She’ll also say ‘hug’ and ‘doggy’ and longer sentences like ‘take Oslo for a walk’.
“Emily’s vocabulary is still quite limited and functional, in that she can tell us what she wants and needs, but she doesn’t really engage in conversation. Having Oslo there to talk to and about has been fantastic for her.”
The family found Oslo through charity Dogs for Good, an organisation which matches people living with disabilities with expertly trained dogs.
“My wife read something about how specially trained dogs could help autistic children around two years before we got Oslo,” says IT project manager Steven, 44. “We got involved in the process as early as we could because we truly believed it could make a difference for Emily.
“Ever since she was very small, she’d been drawn to animals, something we’d seen on visits to petting zoos and farms, as well as an experience of equine therapy. She really seemed to enjoy the interaction and find a special bond with the animals she encountered, so we were very hopeful an assistance dog would help.
“And after a little bit of time to get going, Oslo was very quickly Emily’s favourite little friend. She hugs and cuddles him, he’s able to get her up and out of bed in the morning with a laugh and a smile, and she loves to get out and about with him for walks.
“Being with Oslo in public gives her an extra sense of confidence, as well as raising awareness and visibility for her autism.
“But Oslo hasn’t just transformed Emily’s life,” adds Steven. “He’s made a big impact on all of us. He helps us get out, all of us together as a family, which wasn’t always an easy thing to do, and he brings a sense of fun and some down time when things can be hard work elsewhere.
“We’re thrilled with Oslo’s award. He’s more than deserving as a winner in the ‘Caring Animal’ category as the contribution he makes, like that of assistance dogs across the country, is invaluable.”
Maddy Phelps from the charity added: “Dogs for Good trains dogs to help people with a range of conditions lead happier, healthier and more independent lives.”
To find out more about Dogs for Good visit www.dogsforgood.org
Pet of the week
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This is Sharon Maddrell’s rescue cat Riley. Sharon, from the Isle of Man, says: “He won't sleep in ANY type of cat bed, but give him a box or an open drawer and he's happy. I treated him to his own house for Christmas, and he loves it. Success!”
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