One of the emerging roles for working dogs is autism service. These dogs have a calming influence on the children they work with, and are able to provide added protection and safety when going to school or exploring the world. With the help of an autism service dog, many children affect by the autism spectrum are now able to do things they hadn’t thought possible.

Celebrating that fact is Alison Ainsworth, the mother of Emily, and the author of a children’s book called If My Dog Could Talk that teaches kids about autism therapy dogs. The book tells the story of ‘Levi,’ Emily, and their life together. It’s a touching and educational book that helps all kids better understand Autism. Alison and I chatted about the book.

Who inspired you to write this book? Emily. What’s amazing to me is how much spirit children have – especially those with humble medical/ developmental beginnings. It’s as though she’s here to teach us all something about ourselves. In that respect I feel like her messenger, dutifully writing to give her lesson about compassion a platform. She inspires me every day.

I have also written the book because I believe that children are sponges and crave experiences. I believe that this book will leave an imprint on the reader as they walk a mile in my daughter’s shoes.

Tell us a little bit about your daughter and her service dog. Emily is a nine-year-old girl that adores every moment, every experience and every breath. In the beginning it wasn’t certain if she would survive a rare – then undiagnosed – underlying medical condition that resulted in profound sickness and instability. She pushed her way through seven years of tube feeds, a rare blood disorder, VP shunt and brain surgery, hundreds of medical procedures, hospitalizations, surgeries, and life with Autism to endear herself with a chipmunk-like laugh into the hearts and minds of everyone she meets.

She is the life of every party. She is also in love. His name is Levi and he also has a story of humble beginnings; he’s a five-year-old Golden and Labrador Retriever-cross from South Dakota, he immigrated to Canada three years ago after his owners that surrendered him to a pound.

Together Emily and Levi are connecting. He gives her unconditional support and comfort and she gives him value and purpose

What are you hoping people learn from the book? Though the book has great meaning to the Autism community, it’s written in actuality for the ‘typical’ children and their families and classrooms.

 We know what it’s like to be affected as a family by disability – we live it every day. But it’s my biggest fear as a mother that a lack of education and awareness amongst children that aren’t affected is a breeding ground for bullying, abuse and exclusion of children like mine, that are worthy of so much more. Education is power.

Do you have any other books in the works? Not yet, but Emily would like to write If my dog could sing a song and says it would be “a bedtime lullaby.” I would like to see 10,000 copies be sold to 10,000 homes and schools, when I achieve this I am glad to move onto the next journey.