Canine Partners

I was born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 3 but I wasn’t diagnosed until the age of 17.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a genetic disease caused by a defect in the body’s production of collagen, leading to weak connective tissues and joint sockets that are shallower than normal. I experience frequent dislocations and subluxations (partial dislocations) in the majority of my joints, which causes chronic pain and inadequate time passes between the injuries for proper healing. Other symptoms include problems with my skin, hair, digestion, eyes, low blood pressure and sensory responses. My treatment regime includes medication, tailored physiotherapy, bracing and lifestyle changes including a strict diet. I’ve previously had surgery and a feeding tube.

In hindsight I displayed multiple indicators as a young child, some of which I was taken to doctors for, but they were dismissed as quirks or part of growth. I experienced health problems from the age of 10, and was diagnosed with ME, although this is now thought to have been a misdiagnosis.

While I missed multiple years of school due to my health problems I eventually returned to full-time education. I certainly had no restrictions on my future and believed with careful management there was no reason I couldn’t live with relative good health and physical capabilities.

I experienced a rapid and significant decline in my health just after my 17^th birthday, and had to leave sixth form just a week after starting my 2^nd year. I was surprisingly calm when diagnosed because I was relieved to know what was wrong and thought it would mean I could start to get better. However it quickly became apparent I couldn’t expect a significant recovery. The idea of a wheelchair was considered, but working with an amazing physiotherapist I’ve managed to remain ambulant.

However, I was dependent on other people for basic tasks and had no sense of independence or value. My life was dominated by fear. I was unable to be left at home for long periods of time, or go out alone, because of the risk of falls and injuries, and then being unable to get help. Like a lot of disabled people I’ve also experienced discrimination and ignorance which is incredibly frightening when you are so vulnerable.

I experienced constant pain and every movement was restricted to try and prevent joint dislocations. I couldn’t do the most basic tasks for myself, and when I tried I struggled or failed completely.

I was frustrated with what I saw as my own failures. I was depressed because of my limitations. I was also afraid of my own body, the outside world and what my future would be.

I discovered Canine Partners after reading an article about American assistance dogs and searching online for similar charities in the UK. Canine Partners was the first link I clicked. Although I already knew about other forms of working dog, I had never imagined there could be a dog for someone like me.

I was on the waiting list for a Canine Partner for two and half years. It was excruciating and sometimes I thought it would never happen. In that time I began my degree with The Open University, and worked on maintaining my physiotherapy and building up my stamina. Tia was the light at the end of my tunnel and my motivation throughout.

Every time a letter came through the door with Canine Partners’ stamp or the phone rang my heart stopped, and on the rare occasions I went out the first thing I did upon returning home was to check if the answer machine was flashing.

When advanced trainer Sara Trott called to say there was a potential match I could hardly hear her over the sound of my heart beating. I was lucky to find a few photos of Tia online. Although young in all of them, she was beautiful and I wondered if she was really the dog Sara had been referring too. It felt almost too good to be true.

I met Tia in the main arena at the training centre in Heyshott. The first thing I noticed was her unusual fox-red colour and her beautiful face and long dainty legs. She gave me kisses all over my face which seemed a good sign! When she laid at my feet while we were talking her paw just ever so slightly touched my shoe, so I was trying to remain still so she wouldn’t move it. She still does that all the time.

The two-week on-site training course was tiring and emotionally turbulent. I cried for the first time in years, but I also smiled more than I had in years as well. There is so much information to absorb and so many new experiences in a short space of time but Sara and Tia were excellent teachers. I tried to remind myself to stop and notice all the details and moments because I knew in the future these would be memories I would treasure forever.

Coming home felt like the beginning of a new way of life. It was exciting but scary. Suddenly she was entirely my responsibility and I just wanted to do everything correctly. I was so worried I would do something wrong. The first few nights I kept flashing a torch on her just to check she was OK.

Tia settled in with my family well. Within a week everyone was saying it felt like she had been with us for ages. In the beginning both Tia and I were learning about each other and adapting to our new routine. Now we are in sync.

The change in my health in the time I have had her is outstanding. My stamina has consistently improved far beyond what I had ever dared hope I would ever achieve again. I feel safe and brave, and we are starting to explore new opportunities. Even in appearance the change has been so extreme family and friends are constantly commenting on it.

Tia is trained to pick things up, fetch certain items on command including my walking stick and our house phones, both on command and when they ring. She can do the laundry, fetch someone in an emergency, get the post, open and close doors, cupboards, the fridge and drawers, flick switches including the disabled buttons for doors when out, remove shoes and undo Velcro, pull sleeves and drag a basket. She is currently learning to carry a small basket and take items to another person.

She utilises most of these tasks day-to-day. She manages all the household washing and isn’t happy if anyone tries to take that job! I no longer have to bend when I drop things or to take off shoes, which has minimised what were frequent injuries to my ribs. My fingers no longer trouble me as much because she does activities for me that previously put a lot of pressure on them. It all really adds up to make a huge physical difference.

If I didn’t have Tia then my life would revert back to how it was before I got her, but the big difference would be I would have no hope of it changing.

Tia and I really are perfectly matched. We both have a strong perfectionist streak and she loves to learn.

She is very sensitive to mood and health. When I wake up in the morning she already knows if I am going to have a bad day, before I’m even conscious enough to know, and she changes her behaviour accordingly. If someone is hurt or upset she immediately senses it.

Tia has such a joy of life. When she does a task well or gets home after working she wriggles with joy. Her capacity for love and caring is endless and she has a confidence in herself and will make her feelings known. For example, when someone else loaded the washing machine she unloaded it behind them!

She takes working very seriously, like she knows how important her job is. This makes me utterly confident in our teamwork when we’re out, I now always feel safe with Tia looking after me.

I couldn’t pick a single favourite thing about Tia, but the confidence and fearlessness she gives me is empowering.

While I am completing my degree I am focused on building my health and stamina up to a point where I would be capable of working and/or entering postgraduate education. Before it was a dream, but now with Tia it is an achievable reality.