Gentle Labrador coaxes young boy with Down syndrome into playing with him

A video of Himalaya, a gentle Labrador, coaxing a shy boy with Down syndrome into playing with him is melting hearts around the world this week.

Three-year-old Hernán is from La Plata, Buenos Aires, and shies away from physical contact.

In the heartwarming viral video uploaded last year, Himalaya doesn't give up on the youngster, and his persistence pays off: Hernán finally gives in — and gives the dog a hug — around the 3:14 mark.

Hernán is now 5.

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His mother, Ana Marta Vegas, shared her son's story with Jim Stenson:

"Hernan, is a bit withdrawn and flees from physical contact. He does not like be touched, but Himalayan (the dog) insisted so patiently, and she was so soft that's why it is so moving, she is left to do anything. I do not think that Dios commit errors, (God doesn't make mistakes) everything happens for a reason."