Canine Partners
Puppy Pain
Ali Bailey is a puppy parent and works part-time for Canine Partners looking after their schools programme. This is her story:
Many years ago I had a car accident and since that time have struggled with chronic neck and head pain which, two to three times a week, would get so bad that I was unable to do anything but lie on the sofa. I would feel muddled up and get my words wrong, sometimes unable to say very much at all. Despite this, I signed up at the local college to do a secretary course involving computers as I had always intended to go back to work once the children were in school. The course was two days a week and after each day I suffered for the whole night and next day with pain and headaches like you wouldn’t believe.
Meanwhile I was back and forth to my doctor trying to sort out my problems but I imagined my neck could be fixed and I could go back to having an active life again. I had an MRI scan and x-rays and then I saw the consultant. He explained that there was nothing he could do – and quite frankly after hearing those words I heard nothing else he said. All that was going round in my mind was – he can’t fix it, he can’t fix it, what am I going to do. I decided to do bank secretarial work at the hospital and started work. Very quickly it became apparent that I would suffer from debilitating head and neck pain due to the job but I had to just carry on collecting the children from school, coming home, getting some tea sorted and then lying down. I still feel so sad that the children suffered because most of the time I couldn’t do anything except lie on the sofa.
A Good Friend
Lorna Marsh has lived with her Canine Partner, Eli, since December 2008.
I knew that having a Canine Partner would help my independence but I truly didn’t realize by quite how much. Every time Eli does something for me I feel like it’s me doing it for myself. I’m not so dependent on people anymore, and that is just the best feeling.
To give you a true picture of everything he does I’ll go through my day.
In the morning he wakes up my PA and then goes to get his collar, has his breakfast, puts his own bowl in the sink, goes to get his coat, opens and closes the bin for me after breakfast, gets my mobile off the side unit and helps me put it on my lap. He can also open drawers for me to get things out.
Eli gets the car keys, opens and closes the back door (after going to the loo) and helps me take my coat off when I get to work, where he gives the post to a colleague of mine and opens the electric door. If I’m ever needing to knock on someone’s door and there’s a step up to it – so not possible – he barks so everyone knows I’m there.
After work it’s playtime; he bounces on command before I throw a tennis ball, then goes back and rolls over of his own accord. When I’m throwing the ball for him, he puts it on my lap so I can get hold of it myself – which sometimes takes a while. He is the most patient dog I know.
In the evening I often have a couple of hours on my own while my PAs are on a break. This is when Eli truly comes into his own. He does not leave my side; the moment I drop anything he is right there. If the landline rings he gets it with no command, so if I don’t want to talk to anyone, it’s tough! (more…)
‘DUAL PURPOSE’ DOG!
Wendy graduated with canine partner Edward in May 2008. This is their story.
I was born with a rare skin condition Epidermolysis Bullosa Recessive Dystrophic, which causes my skin to tear and blister at the slightest knock. My throat is also the size of a five pence piece and can close at any time, stopping me breathing. As my condition worsened I found it difficult to open doors, use the cash machine, dress, undress. My husband and I also used to take it in turns to sleep each night, in case I stopped breathing.
In 1993 my throat became so scarred and small that my husband Peter had to stop work to care for me. Internally things had begun to get very bad as well. I hated hospitals and dreaded every appointment, shutting my ears to what they would say and as a consequence my hands and throat became a nightmare to live with. The pressure on Peter was tremendous as he was constantly on call, and would care for me without a break.
Because of my skin condition Canine Partners felt it best I worked alongside one of their trainers with a puppy from the beginning. At nine weeks old golden retriever Edward (Teddy), who looked like a snowball on legs, came into my life. That very first night I had a sign language lesson at college and Teddy came with me. He settled really well in class and was the most popular thing there at the break – college was never to be the same! Since then he has continuously watched our hand signs and I am now able to use these with him if my throat is very bad. (more…)
‘Dual Purpose’ Dog!
Glen Tallett, a profoundly deaf man with cerebral palsy, is the first recipient of an assistance dog jointly trained by Canine Partners and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Deaf since birth, Glen’s cerebral palsy means he has poor co-ordination, muscle weakness and – in his own words – “annoying involuntary movements”. He relies on a wheelchair to get around, and also finds it impossible to articulate speech.
Undeterred, Glen’s main ambition in adult life has been to live independently. In March 1999 that became a reality when hearing dog Milly was placed with him; she allowed him to live on his own by alerting him to household sounds that he was not able to hear. The pair were were inseparable for more than 10 years until Milly sadly had to be put to sleep. (more…)
Canine Partners
What happens to a Canine Partner when their working life ends? We thought we’d ask one!
Stephanie has progressive hereditary spastic paraparesis, a degenerative condition of the nervous system. For the last 11 years, Canine Partner Frodo has helped maintain her independence and quality of life. Last year, Frodo retired, but Stephanie and partner John were pleased to be able to keep him as a pet, alongside new Canine Partner Elmo…
Father and Daughter
Anna and Angie
Angie is an unusual Canine Partner – she’s worked with two members of the same family!
When Canine Partner Angie came into Paul Chandler’s life, his daughter Anna admits she was a little jealous. Both Paul and Anna had Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a brittle bone disease that means their bones can break when simply coughing or sneezing.
“I have always loved dogs,” Anna said. “Suddenly my dad had a dog that would help him do many of the tasks we both find difficult but she wasn’t for sharing! However, my dad had recently lost his father and was diagnosed with respiratory failure. He was lonely and Angie became the lifeline he really needed, I could see their bond growing and it was just the support he needed.
Usually, when a Canine Partner comes into a family environment, it is only for one recipient and no one else is allowed to give them commands. In this case, though, that began to change. Anna explained: “Because my father and I had the same condition, Angie did begin to do things for me as well. I lived next door and one day I was in with my Dad when my mobile phone began to ring. I dropped it before I could answer it and Angie immediately picked it up and delivered it back to me!”
