A young child sits on a black service dog in front of a bright yellow playground structure with arched design in a park setting.

Conor & Quelda

She is the best therapy

Conor’s mum Trish told us their story.

From the day Conor was diagnosed with autism, our life as a family became more and more limited. Simply going out together became an ordeal. A trip to the park was impossible. If there was water or a river nearby Conor would try to run to it, with no sense of the danger it posed. When we would try to stop him from running, he would get incredibly upset and have a meltdown. Busy environments like the city centre were out as Conor would become overwhelmed by the noise, hustle and bustle.

We started to close ourselves off, we said no to invites to parties or to visit friends. We felt alone, isolated and different – we didn’t belong. It was so upsetting watching Conor limited to the same four or five playgrounds all the time. He was missing out on so much.

A woman and child laugh together at a playground with a black service dog wearing a blue vest beside them, with a blue tunnel slide and climbing structures visible in the backgroun

So many doors have opened since Quelda came into our lives! We now have the confidence to go anywhere – we will try anything as we know Conor is safe with Quelda. She has an amazing calming effect on him – he will reach down and rub her ear if he is feeling overwhelmed.

It meant so much to us to be able to see Santa last year and get a family photo (our first time!). Conor has seen so much in the last year – the city, lots of beaches, the train, Galway Aquarium and his Nana’s house in Tramore.

We are now full of hope for the future – our long-term goal is to take a trip abroad, the whole family together.

A family of five, including two adults and three children, walks along a tree-lined path with a black dog on a leash during autumn, all wearing warm clothing.

Quelda is family. She is the best therapy that Conor has ever received. She has brought our family back together – we spend more time together now instead of splitting up at weekends. When Conor is with Quelda he smiles and is comfortable being out and about which is such an amazing gift – we never leave home without her. She has changed all of our lives.