A woman fundraising for a service dog for her autistic son is now having second thoughts over which service dog provider to use.

Kay Lythaby, of Goodrich Close, along with her family, has been organising various money raising initiative to raise the £6,000 they need to buy their 6-year-old son, Thomas, a service dog from Service Dogs Europe.

Thomas was found to have autism in January 2013, and was more recently diagnosed with ADHD.

After extensive research, Thomas's parents decided a service dog would be the best thing to help reduce his outbursts, help him sleep better and make him feel safe.

But Ms Lythaby is now questioning which service dog provider will be best for Thomas now after hearing of other people’s bad experiences with Service Dogs Europe.

John Brosnan, who used to live in the Watford area, contacted Ms Lythaby after reading about her idea to get Thomas a service dog from the company in the Watford Observer.

He said: "I listened to a radio show on RTE Radio 1 in Ireland last week which talked about Service Dogs Europe and highlighted people’s negative experiences with them.

"We had problems with them.

"My daughter is autistic and we got her a service dog from Service Dogs Europe but it was very unwell.

"It was a very anxious dog and it wasn’t long before it was diagnosed with a bowel disease.

"It was obvious the dog has not socialised with other as we have another dog, a German Shepherd.

"I then recently read about Kay in the Watford Observer and decided to get in touch with her to give her some information and let her know our experience."

Service Dogs Europe were contacted by the Watford Observer but are yet to respond.

Ms Lythaby is now asking for the same from anyone else who has had a positive or negative experience with the company.

She said: "I’m really confused at the moment, I’m absolutely lost with what to do next because we’re still fundraising for Thomas - we’ve raised around £3,000 at the moment.

"We just want to find the right place and to do the right thing by Thomas and what something to show for all the work we’ve put into this.

"I’d like anyone with experience with service dog providers or any recommendations to get in touch - whether they be good or bad."

To get in touch with Ms Lythaby call the Watford Observer news desk on 01923 216216.