Specially trained assistance dogs help children in Bournemouth

Tinker has been trained to support children who have a range of conditions

A charity is training dogs to help young people with additional needs.

Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs, based in Bournemouth, uses the animals to improve the quality of life for children with a range of conditions.

The organisation has been supported by money from BBC Children in Need.

Izzy, who has complex conditions including autism and ADHD, said her assistance dog Jessie has proved invaluable.

Izzy described her dog Jessie as her "best friend"

"If there's a noise, she will help me and make feel calmer. Jessie is very important to me, she's my best, best friend," she said.

Mum Carla, from Poole, said: "Jessie is a focus point for Izzy, once Izzy is out and about and things become overwhelming, Jessie is there for her - which helps to reduce her anxiety."

Carmela, who lives in Wiltshire, has muscular dystrophy which restricts her movement but her dog Tinker has given her greater independence.

Carmela's dog Tinker helps remove her socks as she "can’t bend down to reach them"

"When I was young without Tinker I felt moody, sad, alone and I just generally didn't feel very good. But with Tinker now, she makes me feel happy, excited and definitely makes me laugh," she said.

Mum Lucy added: "We know what teenagers are like, they don't want their mum to get involved with too many things so having Tinker being able to do certain things for Carmela is a huge help for me, so I don't get my head bitten off."

Trainer Vicky Mansfield said: "The relationship and bond between the person... and the dog has to be really quite solid.

"We want to make sure the dogs are able to keep the children... feeling happy, content and grounded.

"It's hard work and the Children in Need funding in particular has been fundamental to our help over the years - so keep supporting us it really helps us."

Trainer Vicky Mansfield said funding from BBC Children in Need was vital

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