A boy's best friend! Abused rescue puppy crowned Dog of the Year for helping painfully shy autistic child 'come out of his shell'

An abused rescue puppy has been crowned Dog of the Year 2013 for helping a painfully shy eight-year-old autistic boy 'come out of his shell.'



Xena, a Staffordshire terrier mix, has made Jonny Hickey from John's Creek, Georgia, 'the happiest child that I've ever seen him be', his mother, Linda, told Today.

The family pet was honored at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) annual awards ceremony in New York last Thursday where she was adorned with a sparkling tiara and sash.

Scroll down for video



Best of friends: After a Georgia family rescued 4-month-old Xena (left) from near death, she in turn help transform their autistic son Jonny (right) into an outgoing joy

The organization announced on its Facebook page: 'Xena the Warrior Puppy is our Dog of the Year! This sweet pit bull overcame severe neglect to help Johnny, an autistic boy, come out of his shell.'



When Xena arrived at Dekalb Animal Services shelter in Georgia last September she was in a 'state of horrible neglect', weighing just 4lbs and close to death.



Gradually vets nursed the four-month-old puppy back to health, with her rapid recovery earning her the nickname Xena the Warrior.

The Hickeys heard about the dog's plight via Facebook and decided to adopt her in March of this year.

Time to shine: The family pet was honored at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) annual awards ceremony in New York last year where she was adorned with a sash and tiara Brink of death: Xena had suffered from extreme neglect when she was found - here, she weighs 4lbs and is unable to stand - however, she responded to fluids and food

Building strength: The pup fought for survival, earning her nickname Warrior Puppy

Mother-of-two Mrs Hickey, 44, described the connection between Xena and her son as 'instantaneous' with the unlikely friendship benefiting the both of them.

While Xena reveled in having a safe haven, Jonny went from being a 'painfully awkward, isolated' child into an 'outgoing chatterbox.'

Video footage of the pair uploaded to YouTube shows Jonny singing You've Got a Friend In Me with Xena on his lap.

Changed child: Jonny leans down to give Xena a kiss - the rescue dog has brought out his tactile side

Inseparable: Jonny and his best friend are rarely without one another - the benefits of a calming animal on autistic children are being researched



In another clip, he said that he and Xena make a 'pretty perfect team' and kisses the rescue puppy on the top of his head.

'These two were destined to be together, to save each other at a level that humans just can’t understand,' Mrs Hickey previously told Today.



'From the very first day, that dog was sitting in his lap in the car seat, giving him all these kisses. And that’s where she’s been ever since.'



'These two were destined to be together, to save each other at a level that humans just can't understand '

The part-time preschool teacher said her son now chatters non-stop, telling her about his day at school, where as before he would hide away playing with marbles or remain silent.



He has come so far that, with Xena by his side, he was able to attend the ASPCA awards luncheon - something his mother said would have been impossible in the past.



At the event he completed his first media interview, happily telling NBC's Jill Rappaport, 'we're in New York City!'.



He also took to the stage to collect the ASPCA award on behalf of his beloved pup. A photograph of him throwing his hands up in the air in front of the audience gathered attracted more than one hundred 'Likes' on Facebook.

Little smiler: Jonny is playful and bubbly when with his beloved dog Xena, his parents say

A safe haven: The rescue dog was adopted by the Hickey family in March

Perfect match: Jonny had had difficulty showing affection and was uncomfortable making eye contact - since Xena has come into his life, he has become tactile and expressive

One commentator wrote: 'I just love this photo of Jonny! It brings tears to my eyes to think this little guy is standing up in front of all these people!'

And another added: 'I remember Jonny a few months ago . . . and NOW ! Is it what we call a MIRACLE.'



Indeed, his mother continued: 'We have laughter in our home where it used to be silent before.



'I just knew that out of all the money that I spent on therapy, that she is standing right there in my family room. [Xena] is the best therapy money could buy. [Jonny] is so, so happy when she is there.'



The story of Xena and Jonny has been shared in 95 countries, provinces and territories around the globe.

Helping hand: Xena surrounded by the food and medicine that pulled her back from the brink of death

Pet rescue: Linda Hickey, 44 and her husband Grant, 50, also own two other dogs

Come give me a hug: Regular picture updates on Xena's Facebook group show there is an abundance of love and affection in the Hickey household



Xena's Facebook page has more than 41,000 'Likes', with fans monitoring the animal's happy antics and supporting Mrs Hickey’s ongoing efforts to help the rescue group in Georgia that first saved her life as well as autism-awareness programs.



In recent months, Xena also has been visiting a 12-year-old girl with cancer at a children’s hospital in Atlanta and cellmates at an Atlanta jail who train homeless dogs through the Canine CellMates program.

Research on the effects of companion animals on children with autism spectrum disorder, shows they are more likely to talk and laugh in the presence of guinea pigs than in the presence of toys.



Overjoyed: Mrs Hickey (right) says she cannot get over the change in her son

New-found confidence: With Xena by his side ,Jonny was able to attend the ASPCA awards luncheon in new York - something his mother said would have been impossible in the past

Autism Service Dogs of America pairs children with specially trained dogs that have a calming effect.



Mrs Hickey and her husband Grant, 50, post regular updates to Xena's Facebook group and have made a series of videos to support autism awareness and the prevention of cruelty to animals.



'My name is Jonny and this is my puppy, Xena,' their son says in one short film, as his pup rests near him with a supportive paw on his lap.

'Well, my Xena was hurt really bad by some not-so-nice people. And I have autism. So I think we make a pretty perfect team to spread the words to be nice to animals, and nice to kids like me.'