Assistance dog crowned 'Hero Pet' at bravery awards
Mabel and her owner Alex received the award from Falklands hero Simon Weston.
An assistance dog who transformed the life of her young owner has won the 'Hero Pet' category at the Amplifon Charles Holland Awards for Brave Britons, which recognises the achievements of exceptional people.
Four-year-old dog Mabel and her owner Alex White, 12, attended a special luncheon at Churchill's War Rooms in London, during which the award was presented by Falklands hero Simon Weston.
Mabel was paired with Alex two years ago by the charity Dogs For Good. Prior to her arrival, Alex's high-functioning autism and Aspergers syndrome meant days out and holidays were out of the question for the White family. Crowded places can cause a massive sensory overload for the young boy, and even trips to the shops or crossing the road were fraught with difficulty.
But everything changed when Mabel arrived. She helps Alex to cross roads safely, accompanies him to the shops and the dentists, as well as helping him to get a good night's sleep by making him feel safe in his room. Previously, Alex couldn't sleep unless all the lights in the house were switched on and even then, he suffered bouts of sleep walking and night terrors.
Now, if the sensory overload proves too much, Mabel knows what to do. She has been trained to read situations and react accordingly to help the young boy through his anxiety.
Alex, who turned 12 last week (25 August), said: "Mabel means so much to me. I'm so shocked that Mabel has won an award. It's going to go in my bedroom."
His mother Michelle added: "I'm delighted. It's the first time he's ever won anything. Mabel has done so much for Alex and the whole family and has changed his life. Alex doesn't have a lot of confidence and his self esteem has been low. This award from Amplifon has given him a huge boost.
"The trip out has been a tremendous achievement for him and none of it would have been possible without Dogs For Good. He's come so far and I'm absolutely thrilled."
The awards are named after Major Charles Holland, who was decorated by the British and American military for his courage behind enemy lines in World War Two. He later dedicated his life to providing better hearing for people affected by the conflict and launched global hearing specialist Amplifon in 1950.
In honour of his achievements, the awards for brave Britons was created to celebrate remarkable acts of courage, bravery and selflessness.
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