A 10-year-old schoolgirl from Edwinstowe has experienced a remarkable transformation after being matched with a dedicated assistance dog.
Overcoming Severe Anxiety
Isobella Mapstone previously struggled to leave the house due to severe anxiety, but recently managed to give a moving speech to a crowd of 160 people. The youngster, who attends Thoresby Vale Primary School, achieved this milestone at a special graduation ceremony hosted by the national Support Dogs charity.
Her incredible progress is all thanks to Kelly, a yellow Labrador trained by the Yorkshire-based organisation to help children feel safe in the outside world.
A Life-Changing Partnership
Isobella said: "This is a really special day because we are celebrating my best friend, Kelly, and her graduation as an amazing assistance dog."
"We finally adopted Kelly on May 16, 2025. Since then, my life has changed completely. Kelly makes me brave."
"Before Kelly, going to places like Tesco, Sainsbury's and Smyth's Toys was really hard. I get really bad anxiety when there are a lot of people and the noise is just too much."
"It actually hurts my ears sometimes. But now with Kelly by my side, I can do all those things. She helps me feel safe and brave."
"She's helped me go to the cinema, which is one of my favourite things to do now. She's helped me go swimming – we've even been on holidays together, where we swam."
"That was the absolute best. Kelly is my best friend. If it wasn't for her, I don't know what I would be doing."
"She makes me a better person, and she just gives so much love and support. Even sometimes when I'm upset from school, Kelly is there waiting for me."
"She gives me a big hug and makes me feel really content and happy again. She's always got my back."
The youngster expressed her gratitude to the trainers at Support Dogs who helped make the partnership possible.
Mother's Perspective
Afterwards, her mum, Chelsey Barnes, said: "She'd never done anything like that before. It was incredible."
Before the clever canine came along, family outings could be incredibly stressful and unpredictable. Growing up, Isobella had no sense of danger and would frequently try to run away from her family.
During one scary incident when she was four, a passerby had to catch her as she bolted towards a busy road. Supermarket trips were also difficult, and she once sparked a major security search after hiding behind a shop display when she was seven.
Water was another big worry for the family, as the youngster would regularly try to jump into rivers, ponds, or even the bath with her clothes on. Visits to restaurants often led to unkind comments from strangers who did not understand her condition.
Chelsey said: "People don't get it – looks would turn to disgust. But now Kelly's here, Isobella is able to interact with the world, because Kelly has given her the confidence."
"I think she feels protected and that she has her best friend with her."
The youngster did not speak until she was two and was eventually diagnosed with autism at the age of eight. Her mum discovered the charity on social media following a recommendation from a doctor and applied for help back in 2022.
Chelsey said: "I cried when we got Kelly. The change that this wonderful, wonderful girl has brought our family is truly amazing. It's life-changing."
"She's our life. I think Support Dogs is fabulous. The way they help people and what they do, and the fact it is a charity providing its services free of charge, is incredible."
"Every person who works for the charity is truly wonderful – they are passionate, caring and empathetic and they give people a chance in life."
To find out more about the work of the charity, you can visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.
