Betsy Charlton, aged 10 from Radcliffe-on-Trent, was diagnosed with autism and global development delay at a very young age and the arrival of Rodney the “super dog” has brought comfort to her and her family.
With limited communication skills and complex sensory needs, simple everyday tasks and outings can result in major challenges for the Charltons.
Like many autistic children, Betsy is a bolter with no sense of danger. She is classed as non-verbal and has difficulty communicating her needs or expressing her feelings. She can articulate a range of words and sing songs in her own way, but would have numerous meltdowns a week that could happen any time and anywhere.
However, since welcoming her furry friend, meltdowns have reduced, and when they do happen, they’re often more manageable.
The four-year-old pooch has been trained by Support Dogs, a national charity which trains and provides dogs to help autistic children and adults with epilepsy or a physical disability to live safer, more independent lives. Now Rodney is not just a constant comfort to Betsy, but also to her parents, Miles and Laura.
Miles said: “He has brought a level of harmony and togetherness back to the family which was becoming more disjointed caused by challenges of parenting a non-neurotypical child.”
Rodney moved in with the family in July last year and after intensive training, Miles, Betsy and Rodney qualified as a partnership earlier this year.
“Things have definitely improved since having Rodney; Betsy is much more accepting and amenable in more circumstances and environments due to Rodney’s calming and supportive nature,” said Miles.
“We don’t get the number or severity of meltdowns we used to get and with Rodney, it’s easier to distract Betsy. The most common distraction technique is for Betsy to feed Rodney, which helps her to regulate herself.”
Miles says Rodney has made being away on holiday less stressful and allows easier access to places including theme parks and restaurants as a family, which had previously been more difficult because Betsy was prone to getting distressed or having meltdowns.
“So far we have stayed in the UK but we may look to go abroad in the next few years, which is an exciting prospect,” he added.
Betsy was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, after her nursery noticed some developmental delays.
She has no real sense of danger and she could unexpectedly bolt away from her parents. But when out and about, she is attached to the dog’s jacket with a belt and with a handle to hold, while Miles holds the lead and gives commands.
They made a Support Dogs application in the hope of being accepted and eventually matched with a “life-changing canine”.
“Fast forward three years and we were overjoyed to have been matched with Rodney, our super dog!” said Miles.
Praising the incredible work of the charity, he said: “It’s amazing, it really is. We were so lucky to get Rodney as we were on a waiting list for nearly four years.”
“Everyone I’ve met at Support Dogs have been great, they do a fantastic job and the support we have had has been superb.”
To find out more about the charity’s autism programme, please visit
www.supportdogs.org.uk/autism