Rosie O’Donnell Reveals in New Doc “Unleashing Hope” How a Service Dog Helped 'Save My Kid' After Clay's Autism Diagnosis (Exclusive)
In PEOPLE's exclusive trailer for the new Hulu documentary, O'Donnell opens up about how "difficult" it can be raising her 12-year-old child Clay, who has autism
Rosie O'Donnell is ready for the world to get to know her 12-year-old.
The comedian and mom of five opens up like never before in a new Hulu documentary, Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism, and PEOPLE can exclusively premiere the trailer, which sees O'Donnell reflect on her 12-year-old Clay's diagnosis with autism and how life has changed since then.
"There's nothing like a newborn to remind you why it's great to be alive," Rosie, 63, says as the trailer begins, the voiceover playing over a video of a young Clay.
Clay then appears on screen and shares a drawing they "usually talk about and develop," describing it as "a scared, sad little yellow blob."
Rosie admits that Clay's autism diagnosis made her feel like "I was kicked in the stomach," as she describes that her youngest child will often "go internal" and won't "want to do anything."
Another mom of an autistic child, Kaleb, who is also featured in the documentary, then speaks up, admitting she feels "like a failure" due to her son's struggles, and Rosie relates. "It's difficult," she says.
Courtesy of Hulu
Rosie O'Donnell's 12-year-old Clay in "Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism"That all changed, though, when Rosie discovered the benefits of service dogs for children with autism and adopted Kuma for Clay. "I didn't have any idea that they had service dogs for autistic kids," she says, recalling that Kuma "went right to Clay" when they met. "That's her person," she says of Kuma.
In Clay's words, the service dog is "just another person on this Earth that [is] trying to navigate their way through life."
Rosie was putting a lot of faith in the pup, and she recalls the pep talk she gave her. "I put my hands on her ears, and I said, 'We're gonna save my kid. You and me. You got it, doggy?'"
As the trailer concludes, Kaleb reflects on how his service dog has "changed his life," too. "Because this — me being with her — makes me [feel] a little bit of joy in my heart"
Courtesy of Hulu
Rosie O'Donnell in Hulu's "Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism"The documentary, which will premiere on Hulu on April 22 in support of Autism Awareness Month, was executive produced by O'Donnell, and, per a release, "takes viewers on a personal journey showcasing how a service dog named Kuma transformed the lives of O'Donnell and her child with autism, Clay."
"I’m extremely proud of this documentary and the spotlight it puts on Guide Dogs of America. Support dogs are so helpful for children with autism,” O'Donnell said in a statement. "Seeing the impact that a guide dog like Kuma has had on Clay and so many others has been heartwarming and uplifting."
Courtesy of Hulu
Rosie O'Donnell in Hulu's "Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism"Per the release, O'Donnell "learned about the Guide Dogs of America (GDA) service dog program through her friend" Lyle Menendez, who she recently told The New York Times she started regularly communicating with in 2022 after she voiced her support for him and his brother Erik on TikTok.
"Then he started calling me on a regular basis from the tablet phone thing they have. He would tell me about his life, what he’s been doing in prison, and, for the first time in my life, I felt safe enough to trust and be vulnerable and love a straight man," she said.
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Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Children with Autism premieres Tuesday, April 22 on Hulu
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