CHESTER the pig has helped his owner Sam live with autism.

Sam Bailey-Merrit chose Chester from a litter of miniature pigs at Pennywell Farm, and the two became best friends, including playing in a den under the dining table. This bond has helped Sam relate to his family and make friends at school. And even though Chester grew rather large for a miniature pig the two have remained inseparable.

Now aged 14, and a student at South Dartmoor School, not only does Sam still have Chester, he’s also continuing his love of animals as a volunteer at Pennywell Farm with his carer, Dan Chapman.

Until aged two Sam was developing normally and living in Spain with his English mother, Jo. He was already bilingual. Very suddenly, and without warning, Sam began to regress and almost shut down. He stopped communicating and no longer made eye contact with his mother. She sought medical advice and, almost two years later, Sam was diagnosed with autism.

After researching the help available Jo decided to move back to the UK. In 2008 Sam started at Manor Primary School in Ivybridge, with extra support.

While at primary school, Sam and his mum visited Pennywell Farm and the miniature pigs.

Jo said: ‘As Sam enjoyed cuddles with the miniature pigs it was obvious the calming effect they had on him straight away, so much so we decided to buy one as a pet for him.

‘Sam chose the only ginger piglet of the litter, took him home and named him Chester. Chester lived in the house and became Sam’s best friend.

‘They spent all their time together and often played together in a den that Sam made under the dining table. As Sam cared for Chester and developed empathy with him, he began to make friends at school.

‘As Chester grew and developed, he became more intelligent and mischievous. He also became very big for a miniature pig.’

Pennywell’s Chris Murray said: ‘When I saw Chester and the size he had grown to I was really shocked. Occasionally there are genetic throwbacks and quite frankly he had become huge for a miniature pig.

‘Although Chester was large, he retained all the other qualities of a Pennywell miniature pig with a lovely nature, attitude and aptitude. It was quite obvious that they loved each other and really knew and understood each other.’

Chris offered Sam and Jo another piglet but they weren’t interested, as the bond between them all had grown.

Until Chester came along, Sam had shown no interest in his younger brother William but as they played football in the garden with Chester, the brothers’ relationship blossomed too.

As well as being rather large, Chester had also become a bit more inquisitive and active, turning over the garden, taking washing off the clothes line – he was once found wearing Jo’s mother’s best nightie – and regularly escaping into next door’s garden to help himself to their chicken feed.

Jo has recently written a book, aptly named Sam and Chester, which tells the story of how Chester was able to turn Sam’s life around.

Pennywell Farm also works with students with learning disabilities from Lifeworks College at Dartington, who come in once a week with their enablers and help out with tasks around the farm. The Pennywell Farm animals even featured on the Lifeworks’ Christmas card last year.

Owner Chris Murray added: ‘I would really like other animal attractions to offer work experience and volunteer placements for young people with autism. The rewards for all concerned are huge and I would encourage more businesses to get involved.’