"When I'm sad he'll just curl up on me" - the autistic boy from Bedfordshire given a new lease of life by therapy dog

Watch Liz Summers' report below

An autistic boy from Leighton Buzzard, who was terrified of leaving his house due to coronavirus, is enjoying life again after being paired with his new assistance dog.

13-year-old Jake Gilson was experiencing severe anxiety but since getting labrador, Brad, from the charity Dogs for Autism, he's back at school and even happy to walk to the shops on his own. 

Jake's Mum Tracey says her son was eight-years-old when he was diagnosed with autism. The pandemic has been their greatest challenge yet.

The pair were brought together by the charity Dogs for Autism, who aim "to have a positive impact on the lives of autistic individuals and their families" by pairing autistic people of any age up with specially trained dogs.

Sam Parsons, who is a trainer, at the charity said: "Brad has really given Jake confidence, that's really Brad's main job with Jake, just giving him the confidence to go out and to interact normally, sort of going to shops and going down to the park and things like that and it's just been great to watch their relationship grow and to watch Brad help Jake and watch Jake help Brad, Jake's been great for teaching Brad as well, so it's a really nice relationship all round."

Brad has been a lifeline for Jake.

He's given him the confidence to go back to school and even run errands on his own.

Tracey says Brad has been amazing from day one.

She now sees him as part of the family.