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Nuala Gardner
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A Friend Like Henry: The Remarkable True Story of an Autistic Boy and the Dog That Unlocked His World Paperback – September 1, 2008

by Nuala Gardner (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings
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"This touching story is an emotional rollercoaster."—Book Review

The New York Times bestselling story of a boy, his dog, and the love that changed their lives forever.

When Jamie and Nuala Gardner chose a puppy for their son, Dale, they weren't an ordinary family choosing an ordinary pet. Dale was on the autism spectrum and his parents were desperate to support him—after being shuttled between ineffective, even callous healthcare professionals, they would try anything to support their son. As a nonverbal child Dale fought to be understood, and his parents would do anything to help their son process the world around him and break out of his own mind.

But after years of constant effort and slow progress, the Gardners' lives were transformed when they welcomed a new member into the family, Henry, a gorgeous golden retriever puppy. The old adage is true: good things do come in small packages. One small puppy and the bond he formed with Dale would change the whole family's lives…

An inspirational feel-good book about family, mental health, and empathy, A Friend Like Henry is perfect for readers of Marley and Me, Until Tuesday, and The Reason I Jump.

Praise for A Friend Like Henry:

"Emotionally charged, this is a story that raises powerful issues in a deeply personal and insightful manner."—Irish Examiner

"The incredible story of a family with an autistic son, Dale, who conquers his disability thanks to the special bond he forms with Henry, a golden retriever puppy ... This is a fascinating and inspiring real-life account."—Woman & Home

Previous page
  1. Print length
    280 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sourcebooks
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781402214066
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1402214066
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Nuala Gardner is a community nurse and qualified midwife and mother of Dale and Amy, both of whom have autism. Together with her husband Jamie, she fought the authorities to have her children’s condition recognized before there was sufficient understanding of autism.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

By the time we took Dale up to his room to settle him for the night, he was much calmer, although he insisted that Henry stay with him at all times. Even when Henry was lying beside him on top of the blanket, Dale still needed reassurance that his dog was not going away and was feeling all right. I had an idea and whispered to Jamie, who then said in Henry's deep voice, "Dale, I'm feeling much better now. Please take my Band-aid off."

Jamie gently removed the Band-aid, saying, "Dale, I'll put this in the trash―we won't need it any more."

Dale's face immediately flooded with relief and Jamie left me to say goodnight to him.

"Dale, give Henry his night-time kiss," I told him. "It's time to sleep."

He turned and did so, saying, "Night, night, Henry. Love you. See you in the morning."

I tucked Dale in and kissed him, saying, "Goodnight, Dale," as I cautiously turned to leave.
Then came his quiet, upset little voice, wanting more reassurance: "Mummy, Dale loves his dog."

I didn't want to make any more of a fuss and carried on, saying, "Yes, darling, and Henry loves Dale."

As I opened the bedroom door wider, Dale repeated softly, "Mummy, Dale loves his dog."

"Yes, that's good," I replied, still trying to leave. Then I stopped dead in my tracks as his next words hit me.

"And Dale loves his mummy."

Just five little words, yet I was numb, paralyzed with shock. Then somehow my brain started to function again, although my heart was pounding―I desperately didn't want to get this wrong. I turned around and knelt down beside Dale's bed, where I gave him a cautious and gentle hug, telling him, "Mummy loves you, too. And Daddy loves you. Goodnight, Dale."

His sweet, small voice replied, "And Dale loves Daddy."

I kissed him on the head, quietly left the room and wept―copious, silent tears. Through this mist I noticed Jamie, who had been waiting on the landing to see whether Dale had settled. We just gazed at each other, disbelieving. Then he took me in his arms as I continued to weep.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1402214065
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks; Illustrated edition (September 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781402214066
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1402214066
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings

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Nuala Gardner

Nuala Gardner

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,093 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Nicholas
5.0 out of 5 stars this book stands out not only for it's story but for the fact Nuala is able to tell the story with a great degree of skill
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
In this open and honest account of the struggles she and her husband faced in raising a child with severe Autism, Nuala Gartner touches upon so many aspects of life with any child with a disability. From the challenges in having her son properly diagnosed to the battles she would later fight in getting him all the help he needed, Nuala writes a truly moving story. This is not to mention Henry, the golden retreaver who so changed their lives. This book is arguably as much a story of Henry, her dog, as it is a story about Dale, her son. In Nuala's words, "He gave us our son back".

Having read many books about people with disabilities or the parents of children with disabilities, this book stands out not only for it's story but for the fact Nuala is able to tell the story with a great degree of skill. Her writing is excellent and the book never become repetative or boring.
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Karen Potts
5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely and hopeful book
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2009
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Having an autistic child is not easy, especially for parents who have difficulty conceiving and who have long anticipated a loving, normal boy or girl. Dale Gardner was a child who was locked in his own world, without the skills or abilities to communicate with those around him. His parents were distraught at his diagnosis, but were also determined to break through the barriers which separated them from their son. When Dale's mother Nuala noticed how Dale responded to someone else's dog, she decided that their family needed to get a dog to help increase Dale's interactive skills. Their Golden Retriever, Henry, was all that they hoped for and more. He not only became Dale's first and best friend, but he was also a wonderful companion for all the family members. This is a lovely book by a mother who is giving tribute to the joy and companionship that Henry was able to bring to her son and the rest of the family.
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(ajk) avid reader
4.0 out of 5 stars An amazing novel
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2016
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This is a great autobiography of a family's journey as they address their son's diagnosis of autism. It is also the story of a Golden Retriever named Henry, whose love slowly helped open up the autistic boys world.

Dogs have an amazing "healing" benefit that enables them to assist those in need in many varied ways, whether they are trained to do so or not. Having a dog just sit with a child who has trouble reading, for example, will often exude a sense of ease so that when reading out loud the child suddenly feels more confident. Children with any degree of autism have shown progress when they have the support of a trained or not specially trained dog who provides them with comfort, support and love.

In this wonderful novel, Nuala Gardner takes us on the journey from the birth of her son through his diagnosis of severe autism to his college graduation. She detaiuks the immense hardships and times she just wanted to give up, the the small and large successes of her son. Throughout these is one factor that seems to add to all the outside therapies and techniques; a dog named Henry.

While reading this extremely well written book, as many were surprised at how a dog could truly change a child's life in so many ways, I simply marveled that yet again, a dog brought forth so many therapeutic and non-therapeutic aid to another person in need.

I read this book in basically one sitting. It was interesting, engaging, well written, and not a cookie cutter autobiography, like so many one picks up.

This was an enjoyable book from a mother's point of view that also includes the story of a young boy and his family.

A heartwarming story that has its heartbreaking moments, "A Friend Like Henry," is a highly recommended read.

4.5 rating
2 people found this helpful
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Irene Marie Dawson
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and heartwarming
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2014
Verified Purchase
being the grandmother of a child on the autism spectrum I found this wonderful book an inspiration and recommend it highly to everyone. Unless you are honored to know one of these wonderful children yourself it is impossible to truly understand the challenges. everyday life presents to them and their families. The Gardner's have managed to clearly convey how terrifying and rewarding raising a challenged child can be.After all,who is to say what normal really is? To be able to communicate and function in this world is difficult at best,and with the widespread occurrence of this condition much is needed to inspire parents and teacher's alike that life for these children can be wonderful ,but it will take time,understanding and commitment to reach every goal and allow them to shine.Much is needed in helping to raise our understanding of this condition,and this book is outstanding in it's honest portrayal of all that can and should be done . A must for every reading list.
One person found this helpful
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Dekel
5.0 out of 5 stars Autism101
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2023
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This is an excellent book for those who want to know what autism is and how it affects family members. I highly recommend it.
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K. Ullio
5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable true story of two parents LOVE, PATIENCE AND TRUE GRIT!
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book of knowledge should be made available to every parent, family member and true helping friends.
The story provides FULL-TIME techniques, instilled with love, faith, commitment, and underatanding Perseverance, and persistence, the ability to say NO to "professionals" who are inclined to limit one child's ability due to the lack of complete understanding that all Autistic children are their own special creation, with their own set of abilities that once tapped into will ultimately raise the necessary awareness and standards that will ultimately allow children to reach their maximum potential. These children deserve no less than any other child.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS WONDERFUL, LOVING SUCCESS STORY.
Katherine Duggan-Ullio
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Top reviews from other countries

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Helen L from Canada
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible
Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
This was a very moving story of a real family and their determination to provide the very best for their children and as a couple to be united the dog just brought me to tears as a retriever owner it is do true, thank you Nulala
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Sharyn King
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart wrenching & heart warming
Reviewed in Australia on June 15, 2017
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Inspirational. Educational. A real pleasure to read. A (true) story hard to put down and even harder to forget. A+++++++++
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente introducción al autismo
Reviewed in Spain on August 3, 2016
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Partiendo de experiencias concretas, la madre de unos niños autistas introduce al lector en la comprensión, dentro de lo posible, del mundo de niños afectados por el autismo. Bien planteado, ameno y "lleno de vida".
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Millymay
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who has a child in the family who is awkward to handle!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
It is very difficult for a child who cannot comprehend school and when people are different they are instantly picked on! there is nothing more cruel in this world than children who are so perfect they have to become bullies and pick on the ones not so good! there is nothing more heart breaking than a parent trying to cope with a child being bullied! but when you also have to fight the authorities to prove why your child is different then it is more than just a struggle !! for anyone who had a child being bullied, picked on at school, or who is a little slow or different, they should read this book! it is light hearted but it also shows a struggle to hang in when all else fails!!!
One person found this helpful
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Bee87
5.0 out of 5 stars A friend like Henry - a book about autism and canine-assisted intervention
Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2013
Verified Purchase
I recommend the book highly, but need to say it is not an easy, "holiday"-read.

It's the story of a family whose two children show severe autistic symptoms. The mother describes their struggle to get a diagnosis, their struggle with everyday life and how Henry, a golden retriever, brought about huges changes. She describes how inventive they had to be to complete even the smallest tasks - and they never gave up.

Gardner also describes how she prepared her family to have a dog and how Henry assisted them with their first son's development. At the end of the book, their son (at the end of his teens then) provides short paragraphes about how he perceived and remembered certain situations his mother described in the book which I found really interesting. For instance, he describes why he was spinning around as a child until he 'collapsed' or that he was very grateful that his parents started to talk to him through Henry - otherwise he may have chosen not to talk to them at all.

I initially bought the book because I am interested in animal-assisted interventions and it was recommended in a German magazine. However, the book is not all about canine-assisted interventions. It is equally an account of autism which surprised me at first. Having finished the book though, I think it was even better like this than what I had expected/hoped.
So, anyone interested in either will find a good, helpful book in "A friend like Henry". I'd say it is a hands-on story about living with autism and living with a pet.

In my opinion, there are two more points worth noting: The book shows perfectly that it is not enough to have a pet and that animal-assisted interventions do take a lot of work. This is something I feel is often missing in the literature. Furthermore, the story shows how much can be achieved for and with people with autism when one's ready and able to fight. Truely inspiring.
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