We couldn't imagine life without Indie!!
In April 2013 Indie came into our lives as a 10 week old golden doodle puppy. He was for my son Conor who was seven years old at the time. Conor had a diagnosis of Autism and was a bolter with no sense of danger. We went through the puppy program and attended monthly puppy training classes and socialised Indie ourselves as much as we could. In September 2014 Indie fully qualified as a service dog this is when our lives changed for the better. Our world was opened up for us we could all go out as a family instead of one person staying behind with Conor. Conor was attached to Indie with a belt which meant we didn't need to try and hold Conors hand this gave him some independence.
Indie came everywhere with us from Pantos at Christmas to weekends away in hotels.
Now Conor is sixteen and does not need to be attached anymore he has learned to walk alongside Indie.
In 2016 my youngest son Oisin was also diagnosed with Autism, and while he didn't have the same bolting behaviours as Conor Indie helped him in a different way. Oisin found school very difficult and he would use Indie to destress after school by hugging and stroking him.
I couldn't imagine our lives without Indie. He is a loyal companion to me and the whole family. We will be forever grateful to My Canine Companion for our boy.
Debbie Keyes (Co Meath)
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