Canine Partners

After leaving college I served as a police officer in the Metropolitan Police for almost six years. I left after a traumatic brain injury at work which left me with epilepsy.

After a lot of intensive rehab I became a student nurse and trained at University College Hospital in London.

Then in 2007 I was diagnosed with the serious neurological condition, cauda equina syndrome and spinal stenosis which means my spinal cord is seriously compressed. I underwent two emergency operations but despite the surgeons’ best efforts I was left with severe weakness in the lower half of my body and have to use a wheelchair full time.

My life changed overnight. I had been a happy and extremely active person but I suddenly fell into a deep depression. The life I loved had gone forever and I felt that I was hanging by the fingertips on the edge of a very dark and never ending abyss. I was in constant severe pain and I was unable to do most daily tasks independently. My life became unbearable and I planned to kill myself. People didn’t know how I was feeling because I would put on a big smile and say I was fine. To the world I was fun, smiley, strong Jackie yet inside I was unable to cope and in a very dark and lonely place.

I had heard of Canine Partners through an article in a dog-related publication but I didn’t apply as I thought I wasn’t disabled enough. Later, I happened to see a Canine Partners’ demonstration at Canada Place shopping centre in Canary Wharf. I sat a with an open mouth as I watched the amazing dogs and was convinced that my life would be so much better if I had a canine partner.

While I was waiting to be matched, I attended two more demonstrations at Canary Wharf. At one of these demonstrations I got chatting to a puppy parent who was looking after and helping train one of the charity’s pups, an eight-month-old Labrador called Kingston.

On 1st September 2015 my phone rang. Canine Partners had a dog that they thought would be a good match for me. As soon as I knew it was the pup I had met at Canary Wharf my heart almost burst out of my chest with excitement. We were introduced and six weeks after the initial phone call I was beginning my two-week residential training course at Canine Partners’ Midlands Training Centre. Kingston and I bonded straight away. I love every little bit of him.

Kingston helps me throughout my daily life. I have problems with manual dexterity and am forever dropping items but Kingston retrieves things before I know I’ve dropped them.

He helps me to get undressed. He accompanies me to the shower, where he will take my clothes and put them into the washing machine. Kingston will then stay in the bathroom with me and will pass me my towel when I need it. He helps me to get in and out of bed by pulling back the bed sheets and helping me lift my legs. He helps me open and close doors – something I struggle with on my own. And he helps retrieve items from low shelves when shopping. Kingston fetches any mail that comes through the door and helps tear open parcels – something I cannot do without him.

Kingston has also taught himself to recognise when I am going to have an epileptic seizure, giving me a 30 to 40-minute warning so that I can get somewhere safe. He has also taught himself to recognise when I am going to have an emergency due to my diabetes as he can sense when my blood glucose levels are dangerously high or low. These are things that Canine Partners does not teach but have led to him saving my life on multiple occasions. One night I fell from my chair and Kingston responded immediately by pushing the button on my emergency alarm, getting my hypo kit and opening the door for the paramedics. He will also come with me to hospital. His devotion and lifesaving skills have even led to him being awarded a special PDSA award for his heroism.

Kingston has given me a new lease of life. Every day is an adventure. Before he arrived I would never travel unaccompanied but with Kingston by my side I found the confidence to explore my local community and beyond. I know that if I’m ill when we are out Kingston will help me.

He has also had a big effect on my friends and family. They used to constantly worry and check up on me. I could understand their concern but sometimes I felt overwhelmed. Now they know  that when I have Kingston by my side I’m 100 per cent safe and instead of calling me every hour they now call me twice a day.

Kingston is a real ice breaker with the public, as a disabled person you become invisible to society and they don’t interact with you but that has changed. Kingston is very well known and much loved in my local community, people will shout good morning to him from across the street and shop keepers are amazed at how Kingston helps me with my shopping. I love watching people’s reactions to him. As soon as they see him their faces light up and they smile whether or not they know him.

Life with Kingston is brilliant, my confidence has grown and grown, previously I was very shy and a little reserved and didn’t get involved with groups etc now due my increased confidence I volunteer with my local DPO (disabled persons’ organisation) and have become a director and trustee of that charity. I’m also involved with other projects with NHS England where Kingston accompanies me to meetings.

Kingston is my best friend, my soul pup, my heart, my world, my hero, my lifesaver, my everything. Kingston has not only transformed my life, Kingston has given me a brand new one. He has given me hope, love and a fantastic future crammed full of adventure and fun. I owe this truly magical boy so much.

I can never thank the charity enough for bringing Kingston into my life. Kingston has done much more than transform my life. Kingston has given me a life that is full of happiness, laughter fun and adventure. I have gone from a life that was blighted with the ‘big black dog of depression’ to a life that I share with a big beautiful, gentle black dog that radiates love, light and happiness. Kingston is my angel in a fur coat. He rocks my world.