My friend Seb Dean is seven years old. He’s autistic and doesn’t recognise danger. His mum Rachel often has to chase after him as he runs towards water, or straight into a road. Seb has a thing about water. He sprints to it, and he’s so quick—he doesn’t care how deep or dirty it is, and he can’t swim.
But things are different now, since Seb and I graduated as a partnership from the national Support Dogs charity. I’m the adorable autism assistance dog Albert, and I’m a two-year-old yellow Labrador. That’s me on the left in the photo, and I help keep Seb safe. When we’re out and about, Seb is tethered to me and I walk beautifully beside him. Seb’s meltdowns have also now reduced, thanks to the calming effect of yours truly. Seb struggles with his sensory processing, and things like loud noises can spook him, so he gets overwhelmed easily. He’s non-verbal, but he loves to sing, and although he doesn’t talk, his mum Rachel says he’s showing more signs of communication since I came on the scene. Rachel thinks I’ve had a really good effect on Seb, not only in keeping him safe, but in helping him to be more mellow and chilled. Apparently, a trip to the shops used to take up to an hour, as Seb wouldn’t co-operate and hold his Mum’s hand, or he would walk in a zig-zag really slowly, or refuse to walk altogether. But now, with me by his side, he knows he can’t run off. It’s very rewarding—the first time we were both attached together, we both just got it. And Seb still feels like he’s got his freedom, because when is tethered to me his hands are free to hold his sensory toys, which are very important to him.
If Seb goes out with his family to a restaurant, I just sit patiently under the table and I think it helps Seb, just knowing I’m there. And if Seb ever goes somewhere new, I’m like a safety blanket for him.
Seb was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. After Seb had been on the Support Dogs waiting list for a year, he was matched with me and I went to live with the family in November 2024. After just seven months, Rachel, Seb and I successfully graduated from the programme. We all attended the charity’s Class of ’25 graduation ceremony late last year. Rachel wanted a dog with the same fun personality as Seb, and that’s me to a tee. Full of fun and full of love, but also so calm and mature.
The family suits me perfectly, and I love them all, not just Seb.
Author: Albert The fun-loving Lab
Albert The fun-loving Lab
Albert is a fun-loving Lab who lives with the Dean family in Grantham. He was trained and provided by the Support Dogs charity. His words were interpreted by Tracy Walker, Communications Officer at Support Dogs.
Website: supportdogs.org.uk
Facebook: @supportdogsuk1
Instagram: @supportdogsuk
