A DOG fitness rehabilitation centre at Froxfield has been lending a helping hand to a five-year-old boy with severe learning difficulties.

Logan suffers with Sensory Processing Disorder and as a result sounds, bright lights and sensations overwhelm him. He has also been pre-diagnosed with Autism.

Maggie, his cocker spaniel, is a trained autism assistance dog and the two are already inseperable.

Maggie was trained by Logan’s mother Pip Elphee, a canine behavourist from Four Marks, to help her son enjoy life.

To help Logan relax after the end of the school term left him unsettled, and to also improve his swimming, swimming teacher Helen Page from Alton and Pip arranged to use the pool at the Canine Fitness Centre (CFC) on Stoner Hill.

CFC managing director and hydrotherapist Tom Worman said: "Pip approached us with a brilliant plan and we just couldn’t say no.

"We don’t normally let owners in the pool, but working with Pip and Helen we were able to create a safe environment for Logan and Maggie to swim together.

"It was a joyous experience and something I couldn’t be prouder to have been part of."

Helen had devised a variety of dynamic games that Logan could participate in with Maggie, under the watchful eye of Tom to ensure Maggie’s wellbeing and safety was also considered.

Logan and Maggie had swimming races, swam through obstacle courses and enjoyed some safe play time in the shallows which left Logan feeling relaxed and happy.

Pip said: "Logan found the latter stages of term really hard and has been quite ’disregulated’.

"After having this swim with his dog he seems much calmer."