Dogs for autism plea for puppy-training volunteers

Ms Stubbs said when the dogs were eventually placed with someone with autism, they can help them take on new challenges.

“People grow hugely in what they’re doing,” she said.

“They might be going to work, they might just go on a bus or public transport for the first time in their life.

“Having that dog by their side gives them that security.

“A lot of people with autism struggle in busy environments, so we train our dogs to find the exit.

“If things become overwhelming, they can actually say ‘find the exit’ and the dog will take them out.”

Ms Stubbs said the charity “absolutely depends” on volunteers, but that it takes a “special person or family” to do the job.

“It may be that they’re on a sabbatical, that they work from home or they’re raising a young family,” she said.

“If they already have a dog, that can work well, because puppy learns from that dog – providing it’s a well-behaved dog.”