article publié dans le Sun le 9 mai 2012

10 mai 2012

article publié dans le Sun le 9 mai 2012

Dog in school uniform helps teen back to classroom

Prize-winner ... corgi Sally

Ross Parry

Last Updated: 09th May 2012

A DOG that wears school uniform has helped an autistic teen overcome his fear of the classroom.

Crufts-winning corgi Sally, has revolutionised 14-year-old Nick Gilling’s life since she arrived in it 18 months ago.

Before, the Asperger Syndrome-sufferer had refused to attend Allerton High School, but thanks to Sally he is back in class.

Mum Tessa, 45, of Leeds, West Yorks., explained: “Nick had been very badly bullied at school. The other pupils saw him as different.

“They would kick him in the stomach, leaving him with bruises, and taunt him.

“One day he just took his uniform off and told me, ‘That’s the last time I’ll ever wear school uniform. You’ll never get me back in that’.”

Nick's fear of leaving the house and especially attending school meant he was taught by the home/hospital education service for around two years

He only went back to a special unit at his school last April — but wouldn’t wear his uniform.

Best friends ... Nick and pal Sally

Ross Parry

Tessa had heard from the Dogs For The Disabled charity that Nick may respond through his dog.

She said: “I thought, ‘there’s nothing to lose’, so one morning, I got Sally dressed up in Nick’s uniform.

“He thought it was hilarious. He burst out laughing at her. But it was literally an instant reaction — he agreed to wear his school uniform that day to school. It was an amazing breakthrough.

“We’re also training Sally to play cards with Nick. It’s a long process, but dogs generally pick things up quickly, and it’s really good in helping Nick interact with people.”