Luke & Kain

He doesn't need words to express how happy he is

In November 2014 Luke was diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability. He was only two and a half then and was non-verbal. He was the happiest boy you could ever meet.

When Luke turned five he was still the happiest boy and always smiling but trips outdoors became so difficult as he was a flight risk and saw no danger of cars or roads. Even supermarket trips became impossible as Luke doesn’t like to hold hands and could disappear in the blink of an eye.

In March 2020 we were lucky to be matched with an Assistance Dog for Luke. Kain joined our family in July and straight away fitted right in.

After two days the friendship between Kain and Luke was visible. Luke would smile and pat Kain as soon as he woke and Kain would follow Luke from room to room and lay by his legs throughout each day.

Trips to the supermarket are now so much easier as Luke loves his attachment belt and holds on to the handle.

Luke loves outdoor adventures and trips to the local forest with Kain make him so happy. He is still non-verbal but when I see him smiling down at Kain it shows me he doesn’t need words to express how happy he is.

We will always be so grateful to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind for all they have done for us.