Why We're Getting a Support Dog for My Son With Autism

My son Franklin is always on the move. He doesn’t do still. He runs, jumps, bounces, rocks and climbs constantly. When Support Dogs visited us, Stanley the dog had an incredible effect on Franklin. He was instantly calm, relaxed and still! He wanted to just sit with Stanley, to stroke and cuddle him. It was love at first sight.

The simplest things like going to the supermarket or a park are tough and sometimes impossible for Franklin. It’s a scary new environment with unknown sights, sounds and smells.

Support Dogs do an amazing job of training dogs to provide autistic children with safety and companionship. The dogs know when they are stressed and need comfort, and help make the simplest trips everyone takes for granted possible, like going to the shops or to a friend’s house, or even just walking to school instead of me having to carry him. The dogs help increase the independence and quality of life for those affected by autism.

We have been lucky enough to have made it through the assessment and my training and will be receiving our dog for Franklin when a match is available. We are sure a support dog will change his and our lives. We cannot wait!