Rosie O’Donnell Shares Impact of Service Dog on Child’s Life

NEW YORK, NY — Comedian Rosie O'Donnell has opened up about her journey with her 12-year-old child, Clay, who is autistic and identifies as non-binary. In a recent interview, O’Donnell revealed how a service dog named Kuma transformed their lives and brought them closer together. This new chapter is captured in her upcoming documentary, “Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children With Autism,” set to premiere on Hulu on April 22.

For years, O’Donnell and Clay lived a secluded life. “They would not leave the house,” O’Donnell, 63, recalled. “They go into themselves in a way that is somewhat scary for the parent. It was me and Clay. And it got very isolating and very lonely.” Clay spent much of their time drawing, creating digital animations, and watching YouTube shorts, frequently withdrawing from interaction.

Concerned about Clay’s well-being, O’Donnell noted a disturbing trend in their artwork. “I was afraid because Clay’s drawings were getting darker and some of their thoughts were scaring me,” she said. Despite monitoring Clay’s browsing history, the source of their distress remained unclear, leading O’Donnell to feel increasingly anxious.

O’Donnell’s perspective shifted when she connected with Lyle Menendez, a convicted murderer. After a TikTok post expressing support for Menendez and his brother, O’Donnell received an invitation to visit him in prison. There, she learned about a program that pairs inmates with service dogs destined to support individuals with disabilities, including children on the autism spectrum.

Initially hesitant about participating due to the program’s 10-day training requirement, O’Donnell ultimately decided to take the plunge in February 2024. “It was a very emotional bonding experience,” she reflected. “It was one of the most cathartic things that I had ever done as an adult.”

Two weeks after the training, O’Donnell welcomed a black lab named Kuma into their home. “I said, ‘Okay, little Kuma, look at me, girl. We’re going to go save this kid,'” O’Donnell recounted. The introduction of Kuma marked a significant change in their household dynamics.

O’Donnell described how Kuma acted as a bridge between her and Clay. “All of a sudden there was this connective force alive in the house between us. Things were starting to shift,” she said. Simple activities like going to the grocery store became more enjoyable with Kuma around, encouraging Clay to participate.

Gradually, Clay began to engage more with the outside world. Despite their limited diet, which consists of only six foods, they were willing to go out for meals if Kuma accompanied them. This shift illustrated how the presence of a service dog improved communication and quality of life for both O’Donnell and Clay.

As their lives developed further, O’Donnell decided to relocate to Ireland after the 2024 election, seeking peace and a better environment for her child. “It was something I needed to do for myself and for my child, and for my own sanity,” she explained.

Settling into their new home has been positive for both Clay and Kuma. O’Donnell shared that Clay expressed a newfound contentment, telling her, “Mom, it’s better here. It’s calmer, and you get to be a real person.”

The companionship of Kuma has facilitated family outings and improved their overall emotional well-being. “There was a darkness and kind of a loneliness that is gone, and I credit the dog with that,” O’Donnell said. The family now enjoys daily walks, where they can engage in deeper conversations beyond the world of cartoons.

O’Donnell’s mission extends beyond her family. She hopes to raise awareness about the benefits of service dogs for families with autistic children through her documentary. “To find a treatment that works was revelatory,” she stated. “I wanted everyone to know that this is an option for you if you have an autistic child under the age of 12 — and it’s free.”