Lobo has been a special part of the Farrell family for almost one year – he'll celebrate the anniversary on September 2.

And Lobo has made a definite difference.

Georgie Farrell with her best friend Lobo.

Lobo is a black Labrador. But more importantly, Lobo is Georgie Farrell's best friend.

'The process of doing things is calmer now,” says mum Liz Farrell.

At age three, Georgie was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay and speech delay.

Now age six-and-a-half, Georgie has started school, and Lobo is a key component to helping her settle in.

'We used to get into school and Georgie would just bolt to the far end of the field. But now we just walk to the classroom and it's nice and calm,” says Liz.

The black lab gives Georgie a familiar routine at school – Lobo gets out of the car first and waits for Georgie to be ready. Georgie stays in her seat until she says she's ready to walk to school with Lobo and the rest of her family.

Lobo acts as a guide and an anchor for Georgie. Lobo can stay and lie down, which reminds Georgie she has a task to do – such as putting her school bag on – before she can keep going.

Liz says Lobo tested a few boundaries to begin with – such as getting on the couch – but has settled into his new family fantastically.

'He's very happy, he has a very waggy tail.”

Liz and Matthew work hard to keep Lobo in tip-top shape. Liz says because he's such a vital member of their family now, Lobo is one well-looked-after pooch.

And the only trouble they encounter typically stems from other people.

'He wears a harness and it says: ‘Working dog, do not pet'. But people will just come up and pet him.”

Liz says it's difficult because Lobo is a working dog, and needs to focus on his job when he's working.

'He's a great dog, he's really obedient; and he's a goofball when he's not working. But when we're working he's focused.”

Lobo came to the Farrells from ADNZ Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust and underwent six months of training before he was suitable for assisting Georgie.

And Liz says the family wouldn't be the same without him.