Support dog helps boy from Rugby cope with autism

An autistic eight-year-old boy has been able to leave the house with the help of a trained support dog.

Noah, from Rugby, Warwickshire, was given a two-year-old autism assistance dog by South Yorkshire charity Support Dogs in May this year.

His mum, Kay, said getting her son to go outside was impossible before he received the dog, named Peggy.

She said the Labrador was Noah's "best friend" and had been an "absolute life changer" for the family.

"He didn't like going out and about, he didn't like being out the house basically, but she's just kind of like having his best friend with him all the time," she explained.

"He concentrates on looking after her, rather than people who are out and about and around him."

Noah was diagnosed as autistic when he was five years old, after his parents picked up on his behaviour while trying to home school him during lockdown.

Kay said she spent "hours and hours" researching how to help autistic children online after his diagnosis and applied for an autism assistance dog through Support Dogs.

Based in Sheffield, the national charity trains and offers assistance dogs across the country, including epilepsy and disability assistance dogs.

Kay said Peggy had "completely changed" their lives and had allowed them to go skiing and ice skating.

She said the support dog cuddles her son when he's about to have a "meltdown" and had helped him to attend a school Christmas fair and birthday parties.

"She's just kind of a calming influence for him really and just having that best friend with him," she added.

"He still has meltdowns but they are much more controlled."

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]