Fresh from celebrating her 60th birthday, Duchess Sophie returned to her royal duties on Tuesday, January 21, with a visit to Dogs for Autism in Alton, Hampshire.
The charity provides assistance dogs to autistic individuals of all ages, and Sophie’s visit included an adorable encounter with a nine-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy named Louis.
Photos captured the Duchess beaming as she cuddled the tiny pup, who seemed equally smitten. Sitting comfortably on Sophie’s lap with his small toy, Louis even received a kiss from the Duchess, who appeared charmed by her new furry friend.
Louis, bred by a specialist cardiac vet, represents a line of Cavaliers dedicated to overcoming the breed’s common health challenges. He also has an older sibling, Lexi, who is already part of the Dogs for Autism team.
During her visit, Sophie met several assistance dogs and their partners, who shared how these dogs have positively impacted their lives. She also toured the training center, where she was introduced to assistant training dogs Buddy, Jack, and Finn. Buddy, a familiar face from ITV’s This Morning, was among the highlights.
In addition to spending time with the dogs, the Duchess engaged with the charity’s staff, trustees, supporters, and local volunteers.
Dogs for Autism is the first charity exclusively dedicated to providing autism assistance dogs, with a mission to enhance the lives of autistic people through the unique bond between humans and dogs.
