PAT dogs helps Sam's fear of pooches

A mum is breathing a sigh of relief now her seven-year-old son is recovering from a phobia that dominated his life.

Little Sam O'Neill was so frightened of dogs that he would run to the top of the slide when he saw one in the park.

He would even refuse to visit a friend's house if they had one.

And he would leap into the arms of his mother Tracey Tomms (42) when they were out walking and encountered a dog.

It was Miss Tomm's worst fear that her terrified son would be hit by a car due to sheer fear causing him to run into the road.

Baffled by Sam's phobia, as she was unaware of any negative incident that would explain such terror, Miss Tomm went to see her GP.

Same was referred to Anita Breen, a nursery nurse specialising in children's emotional problems.

"It got to the stage where we could not get out the car if we saw a dog," said Miss Tomms of Hawthorn Avenue, Gainsborough.

"The worst thing is seeing such fear in your child.

"I felt a bit silly going to the doctor about it but he was brilliant and very understanding.

"Life has improved for us in the last year and now if Sam sees a dog on a lead he feels safe."

Based at the Morton Resource Centre in the grounds of Gainsborough's John Coupland Hospital, Mrs Breen has been encouraging Sam to face his fears with the help of two Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs.

The specially trained animals are used to help sufferers for a number of conditions including autism and stroke. They are also taken to care homes as they are said to relieve stress and evoke memories in dementia patients.

Sam is helped by Amber – a vizla cross – and Sally – a rottweiler cross-breed – belonging to volunteer Vanessa Glover (50).

For more on PAT dogs see Wednesday's Lincolnshire Echo.