Meet David, a badminton player from Devon

Posted 9 years ago in the Our partnerships category

He broke his neck in a road traffic accident when he was 18 and is paralysed from the chest down, reliant on a wheelchair for the rest of his life. We helped transform his life, with canine partner Tessie.

David and his Canine Partners assistance dog Tessie posing on South Downs at the Southern Training Centre

This was a life changing accident for me and everything I knew before had now changed. It was a very tough time and coming to terms with my disability was not easy. I went back to college and finished my A levels and took up a university course.  I tried wheelchair badminton in 2008 and really enjoyed the sport and decided to take it up, which was a good decision as I have won various different medals and rose to being ranked 2nd in the country and 16th in the world. It was also through the badminton that I met my amazing wife.

It was through the badminton that I met a friend who had an assistance dog. I contacted Canine Partners and I remember having the phone call saying we think we have found you a partner. When I first met Tessie I instantly fell in love with her.

She just loves to work and is so intelligent; the way she can tell the difference with how to behave in different situations. Tessie loves trying her hand at any task I give her. She closes doors that I find difficult because I would have to manoeuvre my wheelchair. She is great at picking up dropped items and retrieving TV controls and phones for me, and she will now seek out my carer Bob if ever I need him for something.  Tessie will go and find him, whether it is down the garden or at the other end of the house, and let him know that I need him.

She makes a great companion and it takes the worry away from my parents and my wife because when I’m by myself I’m ok as I have Tessie. It is also great for my confidence and fitness as it gives me a reason to go out and have a long push in my wheelchair. Tessie loves doing this and it means I go out and interact with people. I’m also in the process of teaching her to push my wheelchair to me in case there is an incident where I fall out with no one around. She picks things up really quickly and just thinks working is a big game to her, but it’s really a great help to me.

Now I have Tessie, I can’t imagine life without her.  She is a great companion that is on hand to give me help if I require it, and gives me a purpose.  Without her I wouldn’t tend to go out as much; I would rather stay in the warm, but having her makes me want to go out and give her long walks and go places.

She has completed my family.

Share this page

Get in touch

Register your interest or ask us a question.

Whoops - 0 errors have been found, please correct the field(s) marked with an exclamation mark and re-submit the form.

Please enter your message.

Your information

Please enter your title.

Please enter your first name.

Please enter your last name.

Please enter your email address. Please enter a valid email address.

Please check that your e-mail addresses match.

Please enter your phone number.

Data Protection

We will use the personal information collected on this form to process and communicate with you about your enquiry.

Canine Partners respect your personal information and your privacy and we will not sell or share your data with other organisations.

We may use your contact details and information on how you support or engage with us to provide information we think you will find interesting. To find out more about how we manage your personal data, please read our Privacy Policy at caninepartners.org.uk/privacy.

To hear about our life-transforming work and ways to donate and raise funds to support us, please let us know how you would like us to contact you:

You can change how you hear from us, including telling us if you do not wish to receive occasional direct mail or calls from Canine Partners by visiting caninepartners.org.uk/keepintouch or by calling 01730 716 010.