Cartoon dog Rory helps children deal with alcoholic households Children whose parents drink too much are being encouraged to seek help by a cartoon dog called Rory. Rory is the star of a new film developed as part of a successful educational pack in primary schools. An estimated 51,000 children are living in households where alcohol is a problem. Rory is helping pupils as young as five explore issues such as worry, neglect and guilt. The animation shows how the dog's life changes as his owner develops problems with alcohol. The film has been developed to support Alcohol Focus Scotland's education pack that is already helping thousands of children in schools across the country. The story can be adapted by teachers to suit the age of their pupils. The organisation's Jane Wilson said: "They are coming forward and asking for help and we know that children have been helped as a result of hearing Rory's story. For other children who are perhaps not affected, it really just helps them build a bit of empathy. Linda Malcolm of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde added: "International studies suggest that we need these types of alcohol awareness programmes in our schools. The earlier we can get these into primary schools the better because this can help to delay the onset of alcohol use by children themselves.