Not long ago, young Alexander Davis was ferried around in a pushchair – at the age of almost five. It was the only way the strapping Cambridgeshire lad, who is autistic and known as Xander, could be restrained while out and about.
With other methods, including reins, not helping – especially as an anxious Xander was unable to hide from the world this way – his mum turned to national assistance dog charity, Support Dogs, for help.
And since autism assistance dog Spot from the charity bounded into their lives, Xander hasn’t ran off.
Alexander was diagnosed with autism a month before he turned three.
One in 100 children in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, and half of these have a tendency to bolt from their caregivers, with no sense of danger.
During the hot summers, his mum, Natasha, 32, never wore flip-flops – she wore trainers as she had to run after Xander.
In one heart-rending moment, she had to chase after her son as he headed across a football pitch, towards a pond. Thankfully, she managed to catch him in time.
Up until the black Labrador moved in, in late 2022, Xander had been pushed around outdoors in a pushchair, as he would run off, or lose interest in what he was doing and drop to the ground.
But Natasha and her husband Gary, a 38-year-old prison officer, knew things couldn’t go on like this.
Natasha said: “He’s a big guy anyway – a rather tall child – and I thought ‘what am I going to do when he no longer fits in the pushchair?’”
Xander, now six, was pre-verbal until he was three, with limited words including ‘no’, and he didn’t want to be around other children.
He has severe Haemophilia A, meaning his blood doesn’t clot, and he was in and out of hospital with this condition, so this was Natasha’s main focus.
She noticed some differences in Xander’s behaviour, compared to other children, and it was a relief when staff at his pre-school approached her with their concerns.
Natasha, who gave up her job in mental health to look after her son and is now his carer, became aware of pre-school’s concerns a month before lockdown.
During lockdown, getting Xander to interact and trying to retain his attention was virtually impossible.
So, knowing animals, particularly dogs, were something that Xander warmed to, Support Dogs seemed the ideal option to help give him confidence while out and about.
“I remember seeing videos of the children that already had a support dog and how they helped them,” said Natasha.
“When I was watching them, I started crying – I could see my little boy in the situations they were in, and how the dogs helped them, and their families access the world again.”
Following a matching process, Xander was paired with Spot, and Natasha took handler training with the specialist dog.
When Spot visited, “it felt like they fit”, said Natasha.
“He is such an intelligent dog – he knows what Xander needs, he knows when to leave him alone and he knows when to get closer. As soon as his blue jacket is off and he’s out on a free run, he’s such a goofball. We wouldn’t change him for the world.
“Now Xander will walk better with Spot than he will while holding our hands.”
And a trip to the supermarket is so much easier – Natasha doesn’t have to put Xander in the trolley or worry about him letting go of her hand, as Spot is by his side.
“We are a team,” she added.
“It was like a military operation previously, or we had to wait until Xander’s Dad got home.
“Whereas now it’s like ‘let’s go’ and we can pop into town or walk into the high street.
“He has no danger awareness, but with Spot, he doesn’t let go – he knows he’s attached to Spot.”
The family even managed to have their first family holiday last year – three nights in Great Yarmouth – thanks to Spot.
“We thought ‘we can do this – we don’t have to panic about Xander running off or getting upset’.”
The pooch also helps signal to people that Xander needs more space, greatly helping to relieve his anxiety.
Natasha said: “I can’t imagine life without Spot. I don’t think Xander could either.
“Support Dogs are amazing. They are life changing. I’m so thankful that they came into our lives, and we have Spot, who’s incredible. The charity is so supportive, not just for Xander but for the whole family.”
For more information, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.
