“They gave me my life back.”
Wendy, from Lancashire, lives with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB), a rare condition that makes her skin incredibly fragile. Even the slightest knock can cause painful blistering and tearing.
Over the years, Wendy has faced repeated cancer diagnoses and increasing health complications. For more than 30 years, her husband Peter was her full-time carer.
Today, Wendy’s Canine Partner Carmen helps her live more independently, supports her during medical emergencies and has even been recognised by her local council as her paid carer because of the support she provides.
A life on hold
Wendy was born with severe RDEB (Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa) and Doctors warned her parents she was unlikely to survive more than a few days.
But Wendy was determined to live life on her own terms. “I was always told there were things I wouldn’t be able to do. But I’ve always been stubborn.”
As her condition worsened over time, everyday life became increasingly difficult. Simple tasks like getting dressed, bending down or walking short distances could leave Wendy in agony.
Scarring inside her throat made eating and breathing dangerous, while years of hospital appointments, infections and treatment left her exhausted and isolated.
Living with such a complex condition meant Wendy relied heavily on Peter for support. “He did absolutely everything for me. But over time, our whole relationship changed. We stopped being husband and wife and became carer and patient instead.”
Wendy missed her independence and the freedom to simply enjoy life.
“I felt trapped. I wanted to be Wendy again.”
Finding hope again
One Christmas Wendy saw a young woman with an assistance dog. “She looked independent and confident because the dog was helping her. I instantly thought, ‘That’s exactly what I need.’”
Soon after, Wendy discovered Canine Partners online. “For the first time in years, I felt hopeful about the future.”
In 2007, Wendy was partnered with her first Canine Partner, Teddy. Teddy transformed Wendy’s daily life. He picked up dropped items, opened doors, helped her dress carefully, and even handed her purse to shop assistants so she didn’t damage her fragile skin reaching for it herself.
But Teddy’s impact went far beyond practical support. “He gave me my confidence back. I could go shopping again, meet people and enjoy life instead of watching it pass me by.”
For years, Wendy had felt self-conscious in public because of how people reacted to her condition. “People used to stare at my hands or make comments. But with Teddy beside me, people saw him first.”
Teddy also transformed Wendy and Peter’s relationship. “He could go back to being my husband instead of just my carer.”
Teddy was by Wendy’s side through countless hospital visits and medical emergencies. One night, he even saved her life by waking Peter when Wendy stopped breathing in her sleep. He also alerted Wendy to skin cancer developing in her thumb by persistently licking the affected area. “Teddy wasn’t just helping me – he was protecting me. He was my lifeline.” Canine Partners doesn’t train dogs for medical detection, but through their incredibly strong bond, Teddy instinctively learned to alert Wendy himself.
A new partnership
When Teddy retired, Wendy worried about losing the independence he had given her. But in 2019, she was partnered with Carmen, a gentle Golden Retriever with what Wendy describes as “the sweetest, most patient nature.”
On their very first night together, Wendy woke in pain with her eyes stuck shut. Carmen immediately came over and gently rested her head on Wendy’s arm. “That was the moment I knew we were a team.”
Today, Carmen supports Wendy in countless ways – helping her dress and undress, picking up dropped items, opening doors, and even paying for shopping. She carefully removes Wendy’s socks without damaging her blistered skin and instinctively picks up anything Wendy drops before she tries to bend down herself.
But Carmen’s most extraordinary support comes during emergencies. Much like Teddy, if Wendy stops breathing during the night, Carmen has instinctively learnt to immediately wake Peter. She can also press an emergency alarm button to call for an ambulance while Peter helps Wendy.
Both Teddy and Carmen have received PDSA commendations for their life-saving actions.
“She’s genuinely life-saving. The council actually recognises her as my paid carer because of how much support she gives me.”
Through the hardest times
Carmen arrived just before the Covid pandemic. Because of her condition, Wendy had to shield, leaving the house only for hospital appointments or safe walks with Carmen.
During the first lockdown, Teddy passed away. “It completely broke me. But Carmen kept me going. She gave me a reason to get out of bed every morning.”
Carmen was also by Wendy’s side during Wendy’s toughest cancer treatment yet. “On the days I felt like giving up, I carried on because she needed me. Looking after her helped me keep looking after myself.”
Peter has since developed Parkinson’s disease, making Carmen’s support even more important for them both.
As the world reopened, Wendy worried about returning to society while still wearing a mask. But Carmen helped restore her confidence.
“People notice Carmen before they notice me. She makes me feel safe enough to go out and face the world again.”
A lifeline
Without Carmen, her world would be much smaller. Instead, she has independence, companionship and confidence in herself again. “Carmen is my helper, my companion and my best friend. She’s given me freedom I never thought I’d have again.”
Wendy says her assistance dogs have transformed every part of her life. “Teddy and Carmen weren’t just my assistance dogs – they were my lifelines.”
Today, she is grateful to everyone who helped make her partnerships possible.
“These dogs open the doors, but it’s Canine Partners who hold the keys. They gave me my life back.”
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