Fundraising campaign underway to train companion dog that's transformed the life of boy living with autism
A MAJOR fundraising campaign is underway to train a companion dog for a six-year-old Navan boy with autism.
Life changed for little Conor Jordan (6) and his family when he was introduced to his now best friend Koby by My Canine Companion last November.
The pair have been inseparable since. Koby came to the family who live in Tara Court in Navan as a puppy and Conor's Mum, Louise brings him to training classes in Navan and Drogheda organised by My Canine Companion, the charity which provides highly trained and skilled service dogs to people with disabilities, particularly autism.
“There has already been a huge change since Koby arrived. Conor adores him and Koby is constantly keeping an eye on Conor,” says Conor's Dad, Declan.”
The dog has socialised well with the whole family, which also includes Conor's older brother Alan (11).
Koby will have to travel to Cork in January for full training which costs €10,000 and Declan has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds.
Conor was a happy and healthy baby when he was born, but at around 18 months, Declan and Louise started to notice little things about him. “His speech wasn't as coming on and he would always put out of his car in straight lines.
“The waiting list for diagnosis for autism is very long so we went to professor Michael Fitzgerald privately and he was diagnosed with autism in November 2016.
“He has had many obstacles so far in life and still struggles in normal daily tasks which we all take for granted.
“Having a diagnosis meant that he was able to access the services of Enable Ireland and the Home Tuition Programme.
“He went to the preschool autism unit in Navan Educate Together and has now moved on to Senior Infants.
“Conor has made great progress since starting school and is such a fun loving little boy who makes us smile every day,” says Declan.
One of the major problems facing the family is that if Conor is out with them, he is liable to bolt away from them suddenly, which can be extremely dangerous and worrying.
“This is a common occurrence in kids with autism.
“Two years ago we were on holiday in Teneriefe in a secure holiday complex but in the blink of an eye, Conor bolted. It was terrifying. He was found half a mile away, still within the complex.
“It was after that we contacted My Canine Companion.
“To say Koby has changed our lives is truly an understatement.
“He stops Conor from bolting. He is constantly following him and watching him and Conor loves him like a big teddy bear.
“We can go shopping, for something to eat, do anything without having to worry.
“When he isn't working he is a great family pet.”
Koby is due to go for full training as a service dog in Cork over the next few months.
“That is why we are fundraising. The cost to train a service dog for autism is €10,000 but the difference it makes to a child with autism is unimaginable.
“My canine companion receives no funding and totally relies on public donations. We would greatly appreciate any donation no matter how big or how small to help fund the cost to train Conor’s best Friend Koby,” says Declan.
Donations can be made by clicking here