'Everyday hero': Quebec barber finds special connection with 6-year-old client with autism

The phone in FranzJacob's barber shop has been ringing off the hook since the last appointment with his six-year-oldcustomerWyatt Lafrenire.

A photo Wyatt's mother took of the tattooed barber lying on the floorto finishoff Wyatt's haircutgot more than850,000 viewson Imgur,an image-sharing platform.

''I understood that with Wyatt I have to follow him around the salon with my toolsto finish the cut,'' Jacob said.

His old-fashioned barber shop in Rouyn-Noranda, in Quebec's Abitibi-Tmiscamingue region,600 kilometresnorthwest of Montreal, just celebrated its secondanniversary.

Jacob said he has several regular customers with autism, Wyatt being the youngest.

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Parents know to show up at the end of the day.

"I lock the front door. It has to stay quiet,'' said Jacob, who spends more than an hour with each of his young customers.

Jacobsaid the barber shop walls packed with memorabiliaand the old-time atmosphere seemto work, and there's always some candy nearby as well.

''It's all part of customer service.''

An everyday hero

Wyatt's mother, Fauve Lafrenire,calls Jacob "aneveryday hero."

''Hetakes care of everything, and I don't evenget involved. It takes a load off my shoulders,'' she said.

Lafreniresaid Wyatt is both hyposensitiveand hypersensitive.

She said this means at times he doesn't feel pain, but having his hair touched can also be unbearable.

''Usuallyhairdresserssort of panicked when they saw Wyatt arrive, so it was really exceptional to meet Mr. Jacob,'' Lafrenire said.

Shereferred several other parents of children with autism to the salon.

She said Jacob kneels down toWyatt's level and directs his attention to items in the shop.

''He welcomes him like his best friend.To see that he accepts these differences is just fantastic,'' said Lafrenire.

She posted the photo to her Facebook page andwas surprised to see itshared outside of her immediate circle and shared and shared and shared.

''Maybe it will open people's eyes that there are other ways to approach differences.''

More than a hairdo

Jacob said he's been a barber since the age of 12, trying out his first mohawksand spikes on friends.

He saidhe is touched that of all the stylish photos he shares on social media, it's this photo of him and Wyatt that people are reacting to, fromplaces as far away as Japan.

''It's asidethat people don't see. Being a barber gives me that chance to livethose emotions,'' he said.

Jacob said he also works with people who are terminally ill, who want to enjoy a last trim.

''When you shave someone who is probably going to die within 48 hours it's indescribable,'' said Jacob.

''Everyone is crying, it's really something. I'm really proud to be doing all this.''