Therapy dog Poga inspires Strabane boy’s first ever words

In a heartwarming turn of events, a four-year-old Strabane boy diagnosed with autism and severe learning difficulties experienced a breakthrough moment, uttering his very first words while observing a therapy dog in training.

Dylan McCarron, a student at Knockavoe School, has never spoken before, but his interaction with Assistance Dogs NI’s (ADNI) latest trainee, ‘Póga,’ marked a significant milestone for both him and his family.

Dylan’s mother, Ciara, who also works as a classroom assistant at Knockavoe, expressed her shock and joy at hearing her son speak for the first time.

Ciara told the Chronicle, “It was incredibly comforting to hear Dylan speak for the first time. I had almost accepted that Dylan may never speak, some children with autism never do. It means that he does understand the world around him and knew the context in which to say the correct word.

“It was brilliant hearing him say ‘dog.’ He had never spoken before and he has just once (spoken) since. Póga will be a massive help for Dylan as he will be having daily sessions where Póga is present.”

Ciara added, “Dylan can’t make friends so to see him interact with Póga and hold him and smile is incredible.

“Dogs really are our best friends and Póga and Dylan have become real friends.”

Assistance dogs are highly trained to support disabled people and people with medical conditions in a variety of ways. They can help autistic people to feel less anxious and more willing to participate in therapy sessions. The group that is training Póga is Assistance Dogs NI (ADNI) based in Limavady. ADNI receives no core government funding and are currently without a funder and are completely reliant on public donations.

The founder of ADNI Geraldine Mc Gaughey said that the impact a dog can have on a child is ‘truly incredible’.

Ms McGaughey said, “The work we do has helped children all across Northern Ireland.

“The dogs that we train have become invaluable in the lives of so many people across the country and Dylan’s story is not alone. It is truly incredible and inspiring to see the impact assistance dogs can have on people with autism.”

Knokavoe School was inspired to apply to receive a support dog after a visit from calming canine, ‘Koko’ and her handler Clare McShane.

Ciara McLaughlin, a teacher at Knockavoe, has taken trainee Póga into her home to live with her family. She and Anne Marie McShane will share the responsibility for him throughout his life, with support from the assistance dogs charity.

She told the Strabane Chronicle, “As a teacher in Special Education for 17 years I can honestly say that the benefits are endless for our pupils spending time with a therapy dog.

”We were blessed to have Koko visit the school on occasions with Clare McShane (handler) and Lewis Harpur a pupil in the school.

“From witnessing the positive impact on behaviour, attendance and emotional regulation from spending time with Koko, I was eager to apply for our very own therapy dog.

“Getting the call before Christmas from Geraldine at ADNI (about Poga) was the most special call I received and announcing the news to pupils and staff was a day I will never forget.”

Ciara added, “As you can see from the very first moment Póga joined our family he was destined to make a difference and I have no doubt he will. Not only in school will Póga be cherished but he is also the newest member of our home and our three children are in love already!”