Autism Assistance Dogs
Support Dogs is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with various challenges
Support Dogs is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with various challenges. One of their programmes, autism assistance dogs, matches trained support dogs with autistic children, to reduce stress in social environments and provide safety.
Two years ago, our son Noah, who’s 10, was matched with his support dog, Peggy. Before Peggy arrived, life would often become overwhelming for Noah and his anxiety in some situations would sometimes lead to panic or shutdown. He had difficulty getting ready for school and leaving the house. Peggy’s presence has been transformative for Noah. She helps him stay calm, keeps him anchored during transitions, and is his social shield in unfamiliar or busy environments.
In the last two years, Noah has grown so much, and alongside him every step of the way has been Peggy – his autism assistance dog, his calming presence, his constant companion, and, as we often say, his ‘dog twin’. Things that you might take for granted, which have been difficult for Noah in the past, have been made possible with Peggy’s support. He’s been able to get his hair cut, visit the library, go out for birthday meals and we’ve even been away on holiday. At Noah’s swimming lessons, Peggy looks on from the poolside, and he performed in the school play with Peggy watching from the audience.
When Peggy first visited us for a suitability assessment, we all fell for her instantly. The matching process is about deep compatibility. In Peggy, we found not just a match, but a family member. The bond between Noah and Peggy is something beyond words. It transcends categories like ‘handler’ and ‘support animal’. She is a part of us. Peggy has brought comfort, calm and structure to all our lives and Noah’s world has expanded. To families currently waiting, or considering applying to Support Dogs, we would say it’s life-changing. Somewhere out there, your Peggy is waiting for you.
Robert Shone is an information security engineer. He lives in Rugby with his wife, Kay, his son, Noah, and their red fox Labrador, Peggy. To find out more about Support Dogs, visit supportdogs.org.uk.