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by Lauren Hood

This furry friend has become a lifeline to a 10-year-old
girl with autism.

Before Merlin came into Grace Brown-Griffin's life she couldn't
read or write and had poor concentration.

Now Grace, who has autism and ADHD, says her official
assistance dog has changed her world.

Grace, who lives in Langton Green near Tunbridge Wells, was one
of the first people in the UK to be given a trained Autism
Assistance Dog.

Autism assistance dogs have only been introduced in the last
couple of years and are used to help keep a child safe, increase
their feeling of independence, give them a sense of responsibility
and be a source of comfort to the child when they are upset.

Merlin, a springer spaniel, has been specially trained to
use a special alarm button in the house which alerts Grace's family
if she tries to leave the house late at night.

And Grace's mum Tony says he has made a huge difference to her
daughter's life.

"Prior to him being placed she wasn't reading, she really didn't
enjoy school much, well, she wasn't enjoying school at all," she
said.

"She wasn't reading, wasn't writing, whereas now she has got
much better concentration and is very much enjoying school.

"The difference that he made initially was that he used to go to
school with her and on one occasion the head teacher took him and
her into school.

"Merlin dropped Grace off at the classroom and then Merlin came
back out again.

"But it's also in the social setting, when he's out with us she
remains a lot calmer."

As a result of
their interaction and the change he has made to the whole family,
Grace and Merlin have been selected as one of five national
finalists to appear at the Crufts Dog Show as part of the Friends
for Life section.

The winner is decided by public vote and if you would like to
vote for Grace and Merlin the number is 0844 646 0205 (calls cost
5p from a BT landline).

Grace, Merlin and the family will travel to the show this
weekend to find out who has been selected as the over all
winner.

And Grace told us how she would feel if she won: "I would be
over the moon and probably pounce on the judges."

And when asked what Merlin would do: "Probably lick the judge
all over!"