Puppy love
Doting dog Sauce is trained to support sick tot Kearyn Sleep loss hits brain
A BOY with a condition which means tumours can grow at nerve endings anywhere in his body has had his life turned around thanks to hugs from a therapy dog.
Kearyn Adamson, five, has Neurofibromatosis as well as autism and glaucoma.
But the brave youngster is now being supported by his best friend – a golden Labrador called Sauce.
The pooch helps Kearyn keep calm when he gets anxious by offering him hugs and “kisses”.
Sauce is also trained to fetch Kearyn’s favourite toys and to keep him laughing and smiling.
The pair were brought together after Kearyn’s family, including mum Jodi, dad Kenneth, both 31, and brother Khaidyn, seven, launched a fundraiser.
With the help of their local community, they managed to raise £6000 to bring Sauce to Scotland.
Jodi said: “We are so grateful to them for helping bring them together. He’s doing great – he’s really helping Kearyn.
“He’s applying pressure when needed, giving him cuddles and kisses and making him laugh.
“He does things like shake his head because he knows it will make Kearyn laugh. They are bonding really well together.
“Sauce follows him everywhere, it’s very nice to see. Kearyn will sit on the couch and cuddle him and say, ‘He’s my doggie’. He’s always loved dogs. Whenever we used to go to the shops, Kearyn would get really stressed that we would have to leave. But a dog waiting outside would lick his hand and he’d immediately calm down.”
Therapy Dogs, who provide specially trained dogs for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, linked Kearyn up with Sauce and the pooch moved in with the family in Loanhead, Midlothian, last month.
Jodi added: “Kearyn is always smiling, he’s a happy boy. He loves throwing the frisbee and tennis ball in the house for Sauce. He’s quite a clever dog for a one-year-old.” SLEEP deprivation disrupts brain cell communication in much the same way as alcohol, research has shown.
Exhausted neurons respond more slowly than usual and take longer to transmit weaker signals, a study found.
And tired brain cells explain why a poor night’s sleep is likely to lead to memory lapses and poor concentration the next day.
Scientists from the University of California made the findings.