Boy’s life is transformed by his dog
Autism assistance dog Marky forms ‘instant bond’ with seven-year-old Thomas, helping him to stay safe
AS THE old saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend. But in the case of seven-year-old Thomas and Labrador cross Marky, the dog is much more than that – he has transformed the boy’s life.
The autism assistance dog was provided to the family by Sheffield-based charity Support Dogs, which has now welcomed back dogs and puppies to its training centre for the first time in three months.
The training of its 30 animals did not stop during lockdown, however. Just as it has for many thousands of children, learning went online with dogs taking part in Zoom training sessions with the charity’s experienced handlers and trainers from their temporary homes.
For Marky, who has been at home with Thomas, his brother William, three, and parents Paul and Kim Fletcher, in the village of Wales, South Yorkshire, since October, lockdown has meant the dog’s final exams and allimportant ‘graduation ceremony’ have had to be postponed.
However, that has not diminished the impact he has had on the family’s lives.
Thomas’s mother, a GP, said: “Thomas is the most bright, loving, lovely little boy but he can have challenging behaviour and has no sense of danger at all, so he would run into the road or run off in a car park.
“When Thomas was introduced to Marky for the first time there was an instant bond – it was incredible and they’ve been inseparable ever since.”
Thomas was diagnosed with autism when he was three, and the family first realised the impact a dog could have on his life when they visited a family member with a dog and found Thomas became instantly more “calm and collected” in his presence.
They stumbled across Support Dogs’ autism assistance dogs programme and applied.
It took two years until the perfect match was found and now Marky has been with the family for nine months.
Dr Fletcher, 35, said: “Marky is now starting to get a sixth sense as to when Thomas needs him. He has been completely life changing for Thomas and for the whole family. I can’t imagine having gone through lockdown without him.” When they are out and about, Marky wears a special jacket which is connected to Thomas with a tether around his waist.
Support Dogs fundraising manager Danny Anderson said: “For children with autism, whose routines have broken down, the world can be a scary place. Assistance dogs can provide stability and security in a chaotic world.”
The charity has had a tough time recently.
In November, the office was flooded and lockdown has meant most fundraising events have been cancelled and income is down by 50 per cent.
Mr Anderson added: “It is scary to think what the future holds, but for now, we’re keeping on going and are hoping as lockdown eases, things will get back to normal.”
There was an instant bond – they’ve been inseparable ever since. Dr Kim Fletcher, Thomas’s mum.