A teenager with autism has reached the finals of the Crufts Dog Championships with his dog Caddie

Joel Sayer from Cornwall has autism and has now reached the finals of the Crufts Dog Championships with his dog Caddie.

Caddie is an autism assistance dog who Joel's family say has completely changed all their lives.

Joel is 13 and up until four years ago - before Caddie arrived - had never smiled.

Joel's mum Janet said, : "He knows he can trust Caddie, Caddie is that permanent thing that is already there, so in this world that he lives, in that is so uncertain in his eyes, Caddie is that presence that's always there and I think he feels calm."

Caddie was trained to work with a child with autism by the charity Dogs for Good.

There are special commands he follows but a lot of what he does is instinctive.

He somehow senses when Joel feels stressed and will place his head or some of his body weight on Joel - gently de-stressing him.

One of the biggest changes is that Joel used to refuse to go outside - and on the few times he did, he often ran out in front of speeding traffic.

Joel's mum said, "Joel didn't want to go anywhere, everything frightened him too much and for us inside it was like we were in just a big darkness all around us."

With Caddie by his side going to a cafe, the cinema, the aquarium are all experiences that are not just possible, they're enjoyable.

And it's because of this profound effect Caddie's had, Joel and Caddie are among four finalists in the Crufts Eukanuba Friends for Life Competition.

Joel has said he entered the competition to "say a big thank you" to Dogs for Good who gave Caddie to him.

This is how you can cast your vote: www.crufts.org.uk/content/eukanuba-friends-for-life

And here's one that might make you smile, before Caddie, even cleaning his teeth was incredibly traumatic for Joel, not anymore - Caddie just sits alongside having his canines scrubbed.