‘EBEN’S A STAR’

A Canine Partner ensures a Leicester woman feels safe and proud.

Anne Pridmore from Leicester, has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. She now shares her life with Eben, an assistance dog provided by Canine Partners, the national charity which trains dogs to change the lives of disabled people.

“It always seemed that the moment my PA disappeared, I would drop something or be unable to reach for it,” said Anne. “Now Eben picks things up from the floor, presses lift and shop/bank buttons, opens and shuts doors, gets post from the letter box, collects his collar and harness, plus much more.”

Anne first heard about Canine Partners from a work colleague. After successfully making it through the application process, she first met Eben when visiting the Canine Partners National Training Centre in West Sussex. “From the first moment I was asked to do some exercise with Eben I really loved him. He is such a large and handsome dog that when I was matched with him, I felt so privileged.”

As an unpaid campaigner for the Human Rights of disabled people, Anne develops and designs training materials for disabled people who employ their own PAs, support workers or carers. She is also developing a Handbook for Disabled Employers and their PAs – titled Being The Boss.

Since graduating with Eben in August 2008, Anne feels she now has a reason to get off the computer and get out and about. “Eben needs exercising everyday, which makes me take time out,” she explained. “I am never lonely when I have him with me.”

There are currently 140 active Canine Partners throughout the country. The Charity receives no government funding and is entirely reliant on donations and legacies.

For more information on Canine Partner, including volunteering and fundraising opportunities, call 08456 580 480 or visit www.caninepartners.co.uk.

For information on Anne’s publications, visit www.beingtheboss.co.uk.