I have had kypho scoliosis, which is basically a bent spine, since childhood. I then had an accident which damaged the lower part of my back as well. Eventually I had to have my spine fused from my chest right down to the end. Later I developed spinal stenosis which damaged the nerves to my legs making it difficult to walk very far before getting weakness and severe pain.   I became more dependent on crutches and then on a wheelchair, which  I found difficult.  had once been the victim of a very violent attack, and as I began to need a wheelchair more of the time I felt anxious being out as I felt trapped, and knew I couldn’t “run away”.  I felt particularly vulnerable when I had to go to areas which were more isolated, or when getting money from a cash machine, especially if I dropped my purse.  I joined an orchestra but was terrified when driving home alone.

It was difficult for me to pick things up, get washing in and out of the machine, and reach things out of low drawers and off the low shelves in supermarkets.  I dropped things which were then hard to pick up.  I needed help from my husband with getting undressed. I sometimes got depressed and longed to feel free and independent again.

Then I remembered meeting a dog called Echo from Canine Partners, and applied.   I finally met Harvey-Nics, a golden coloured miniature Labradoodle who made up for his smaller than average size for a canine partner with oodles of personality.   From the first night we were together he was making me laugh… and that is something I have continued to do a lot of since Harvey came into my life. His enthusiasm for life is enormous and has carried me with him through all the ups and downs as we got to know each other.

Everywhere I go people stop and talk, or smile… Harvey works his magic on them all.  One of his favourite jobs is collecting things off supermarket shelves and paying at the checkout, even though his nose sometimes only just reaches over the edge of the counter!  He does so much to help besides his work in shops: he fetches crutches, finds my husband when he’s in another room, takes messages to him and brings a reply, puts things away in low drawers and gets them out when needed and helps with dressing and undressing. He loads and unloads the washing machine… he has taught himself to sort light from dark and almost always gives me all the dark things first!

Harvey also now alerts me to an impending asthma attack – he started one night by nudging  me awake then sat looking intently at me. I had a routine asthma check and the nurse said my peak flow was dangerously low meaning I could have a major attack at any time.  He has continued to do it at intervals and will come and sit in the same way during the day too if it is dropping or he thinks I am going to have an attack.  He has never been wrong, and he also fetches my inhaler if I start to cough.

Before I had Harvey Nics I had never even wheeled down the country track to our local park on my own…but with Harvey I went off to the park every day to give him his walk. It was the most amazing feeling of freedom.   However cold or wet we get it’s just so wonderful to have that freedom back. The gift that Canine Partners has given me in Harvey is priceless… I feel amazed and humbled that I have been partnered with such a very special dog.

Harvey has written a book with a little help from his human partner, Lizzie, called My Big Adventure.