Dogs are now reaching out to children with disabilities

In Bombay's Jidda School for the Mentally Handicapped, Kutti has helped speech-deficient, mentally retarded and autistic kids to say "Kutti, Kutti come." Principal Dr Bhosle says Dogs with Jobs, a TV show, inspired her to find a healing pet for her 100 students who contacted Ms Minal Lonkar, a Clinical Psychologist who is conducting the Animal Assisted Therapy Program in the school since 2003. Kutty was trained to be a therapy dog my Minal Lonkar who is conducting a research study on the effects of animal therapy for these children.

A model pupil, Kutti is quiet during prayers, calm if her tail is pulled and always gentle. On her birthday, everybody pooled in for a cake and showered Kutti with biscuits and gifts. Miss Waggability has won over all, like Minal , who says: "Kutti has brought joy in the life of these