Ratoath lad with autism making huge strides thanks to his canine companion

If you’re lucky, the saying goes, a dog will come into your life, steal your heart and change everything.  It’s a heart-warming quote and one which aptly describes the relationship between 11-year-old Sam Lennon from Ratoath and his beloved Labrador, Giggs. Sam who has autism was a huge safety risk in his younger years and would often run away unexpectedly whilst out and about with his mum Francesca leaving her in an understandable panic.

But since Giggs, a special assistance dog joined the family all of that has changed. Not only has there been a huge improvement in Sam’s behaviour, but he has also found a best friend in his canine companion as mum of four Francesca Lennon explains: 

 “We got Giggs five years ago and he has transformed our lives. It used to be a nightmare bringing Sam out anywhere because if he got distracted in any way he’d be gone, he'd run away and wouldn’t respond to his name. It wouldn’t matter if he was on the road, he wouldn’t see the cars, If he saw something in his eye line he would be gone. I had two smaller children at the time and I would literally have to abandon them in the pram to go and rescue Sam.

Francesca, also mum to Allie (7), Tom (5), and four-month-old Jack, had read that assistance dogs can be beneficial for children with disabilities and applied for one to the IGD. After a lengthy process of interviews and assessments, the family got the go-ahead for a dog. 

“When we got Giggs he needed to be attached to Sam. Initially he fought against it and would struggle with the dog to get away but he couldn’t go anywhere,” comments Francesca.
 “Before this, I couldn’t go anywhere, he was lethal. I was walking him to school one day on a foggy day and he just jumped off the path into the traffic.

Sam and his best pal Giggs

 “We were blessed there was no oncoming car. You have to abandon your other children and run around like a headless chicken looking for him because he's most vulnerable. Unless you are actually in a situation with a child with autism you don’t understand how unpredictable they can be.”

Giggs is like a safety net that gives the whole family peace of mind according to the Ratoath mum. 

“I had to go to Cork for a week of training before Giggs came home with us. Sam has a belt that is attached to the dog and I’m controlling the dog. I command Giggs and once he is obeying the commands Sam can’t go anywhere.

“They match the dog up to the child’s personality so the temperament will match the child’s behaviour.  Sam wouldn’t have many friends because with his autism he’s not great socially but he has a friend in Giggs. 

“He suffers badly with anxiety when he goes to new places and although he doesn’t need the dog anymore he’ll say get Giggs and put my belt on. He’s more confident when he’s out with the dog, it like he’s a security blanket.  

 

Assistance dog Giggs has become part of the family 

 “Giggs is worth his weight in gold. The bond they have is amazing. Sam will sit on the floor and play with him whereas he wouldn’t really play with his peers. He’s fascinated with the dog, he’ll open his mouth and look at his teeth and Giggs will just sit there and let him. “He’s better behaved than the kids. He has the patience of a saint, laughs Francesca.”
Another side to having an assistance dog is the awareness it brings to Sam's condition.

“When you see a child with Down Syndrome there is an immediate empathy because you can physically see the disability but with autism, you'd never look at my Sam and think that child has a disability. When he is having a meltdown because of sensory overload you can see people looking at him thinking he is just misbehaving but now once they see Giggs wearing the coat it brings awareness to people. It stops the judgement.”

“My mother passed away three weeks ago and she absolutely adored Giggs. We were at home one Halloween and were dressing Sam up for going trick or treating and we decided to dress Giggs up as well and he actually stood there and let my mother hem his costume. He’s like a child in a fur coat. He has changed our life. I can be 100% confident that Sam will be safe when we go out and won't run off on me anymore, you can’t buy that.”

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