Over The Moon

David Filmer explains how a canine partner called Zack turned his life around.

Zack has made so much difference to my life, it’s hard to know where to begin.

For many years I had depression due to the implications of being a disabled person in a world that cherishes perfection, and the loneliness and isolation this creates. I found it hard to motivate myself to find suitable exercise; so the pounds piled on. Apart from work, I’d go out less and less; consequently, my social circle dwindled and I felt even worse. While I am physically fairly independent there were still plenty of things I couldn’t do for myself around the home, for which I needed to ask for assistance from neighbours and friends. This grated and felt like an imposition on them, so I often waited ages before asking, simply found alternatives or went without.

Several people, including my counsellor, suggested that I needed a partner in my life and that as my confidence and success at relationships was so low that a dog might be a good substitute. As I am generally out of the house at work for more than 10 hours a day this seemed impractical – how on earth could I leave a dog at home for that length of time?

Then, at the Independent Living Exhibition in London, I met representatives from Canine Partners who explained to me how a working dog could accompany me to the office and solve many of my practical difficulties. Additionally the dog would be a companion for me and a reason to take more exercise, getting me out of the house and socialising again. After a few assessment days during the winter of 2006-07, I graduated with Zack in March 2007.

I’m over the moon. Zack has made so much difference to my life. The need to give Zack regular exercise means that I’m getting out of the house much more. I’m losing weight and meeting lots of new people too, which is helping to break the depressive cycle of hiding away from society. Zack and I are now regulars at our local pub quiz, and is becoming something of a celebrity in his own right, which means more people know me too.

Now when I have a low day, Zack is there with a cheery nudge to let him out, so I have to get out of bed. He gives me a focus and helps me talk through my feelings without judgement, which really helps. Before Zack I used to have low patches on a regular basis when I would feel terrible for days on end, sometimes feeling suicidal. Since I’ve had Zack in my life this has ceased almost completely, and now when I feel low I know Zack will cheer me up. He’s always so playful and cheeky you could never stay sad in his company for long.

Zack’s made a practical difference in my life too. He makes it easier for me to cope at home and at work without help from other people. He’s able to open doors when I might struggle, he picks things up that I drop or can’t reach, and helps drags the laundry basket out to the washing line for me. It’s great to do things myself, and not have to rely on friends and neighbours and then worry about being an imposition. Now I have Zack, I can’t imagine going back to life alone again.

For further information on Canine Partners, please call 08456 580 480 or visit www.caninepartners.co.uk.

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