Trigger warning: This article contains descriptions of depression and mentions of suicide

My name is Jackie, and I’m writing to you to share the story of my incredible canine partner, Kingston. For eight wonderful years, Kingston was right by my side, saving my life more times than I can count. Sadly, he passed away in July, and my heart is broken. With Christmas coming up, I find myself missing him even more.

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From Independence to Isolation 

They say Christmas is ‘the most wonderful time of the year,’ but after sustaining life-changing injuries at work, it became anything but wonderful for me. Back in 2007, while I was working as a Metropolitan Police officer, I was attacked on duty and suffered a traumatic head injury. I was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome and Spinal Stenosis, which meant I had to start using a wheelchair full-time. Suddenly, my independence was gone. I had to rely on 24-hour care and felt like a burden to my family. The daily physical pain and the inability to do simple tasks really took a toll on my mental health. All I could think about was ending my life.

Feeling alone and isolated at Christmas 

That first Christmas after my injury was really tough. Even though I was surrounded by people, I felt isolated and alone, stuck in my wheelchair. I couldn’t do things like Christmas shopping or seeing the lights by myself anymore. I might have looked fine to friends and family, but I was struggling with depression. I put on a brave face, but inside, I felt lost and alone.

 

The moment my life changed

I’ll never forget 12 October 2015, the day I was partnered with Kingston. Our bond was instant, and he changed my life forever. Kingston could do almost anything. He helped me with daily tasks like
getting dressed, doing laundry, and grocery shopping. With his help, I began to regain my independence and confidence.

 

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Our first Christmas together 

My first Christmas with Kingston was unforgettable. Just two days before Christmas, my Personal Assistant quit, leaving me without care. Kingston stepped in, helping me with everything, from Christmas shopping to opening presents. We even stopped at the Christmas lights for a hot chocolate. Kingston made me feel part of the Christmas festivities again. He saved my Christmas.

 

 

 

Christmas traditions  

During Christmas 2017, we started volunteering for the homeless, making it a yearly tradition. Kingston, dressed in his Santa Paws suit, would help distribute care packages filled with hygiene items, hats, scarves, and treats for dogs. He personally handed out these packages to homeless individuals, many of whom had dogs themselves. A black Labrador with a giant heart, he let everyone know they were going to be okay

 

 

 

 

 Kingston’s passing

On 10 June 2024, my vet diagnosed Kingston with terminal kidney cancer. From that day on, every second became precious, and I made sure to tell him I loved him every day. He officially retired as my assistance dog but remained dedicated until the end.

 

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Looking ahead with hope

Life without Kingston feels unimaginable. He was a huge part of my life,
and his absence leaves a big hole in my heart. I’ll rely on family and friends for support, but it won’t be the same. I’m waiting for a successor dog, but I know it will be a long wait.

I’m still hopeful about the future, thanks to Kingston. I’ll continue to spread awareness of Canine Partners’ life-changing work and share my story in tribute to Kingston’s enormous impact on my life. There are people on the waiting list who desperately need a canine partner to help with everyday tasks and feel less isolated, not just at Christmas, but all year round.

Thank you for reading my story.

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,  

Jackie Kennedy 

 

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Read more heartfelt stories like this in our latest edition of Let’s Go! magazine. Click here to download or view the digital flipbook below.

 

Meet Shelley from Bedfordshire

I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a condition that causes dislocations throughout my body. Some days, I’m able to move around, but other days, I’m confined to a wheelchair.  

Before being partnered with Kibble, I struggled with frequent dislocations and relied on my husband and children for everything. Discovering Canine Partners was life-changing for me.  

With Kibble by my side, I was more independent and confident. He did so much for me, from helping me get out of bed to doing my laundry and shopping. He picked up everything I dropped and was always there to comfort me when I was feeling down. With Kibble, I am never alone, and could go out and do things I never thought I could do before. He’s greatly impacted my life. 

Even now that he has retired, Kibble is always there to comfort me when I’m feeling down. His great sense of humour never fails to cheer me up. 

I’ve been preparing for Kibble’s successor, which I applied for in February 2023. I’ve been leaving him at home more often, letting family members walk him, and bringing in his friend, Pebble, to help with some of his favourite tasks. While waiting for my canine partner successor, I’ve been feeling anxious about not having a dog by my side.  

I feel safer and more comfortable with a canine partner in public, and people are more likely to engage with me. I don’t want to go back to relying on humans for help with personal tasks. I don’t like going out without him, so I’ve been staying in more. Recently, I dropped my phone and tried to reach for it, resulting in a cracked rib. I felt embarrassed and in pain, and had to ask for help. 

Kibble has changed not only my life but also that of my family. My children could go to school and after-school clubs without worrying about me, and my husband could go to work without constantly checking in on me. My anxiety has been growing again since Kibble retired, but I know that a successor will be a lifesaver for me.  

Having a canine partner has given me confidence and the ability to accomplish anything. They are not just life enhancers but life savers. I am thankful for the past 10 years with Kibble and am convinced that if I hadn’t gotten him, I wouldn’t be here today. 

My name is Wren and I’m partnered with seven-year-old Golden Retriever, Darcey – I’m 31 years old and I live in Hampshire.

Since I was a child, I’ve struggled with health problems, but I didn’t become disabled until later in life. In 2012, I had a bout of glandular fever. Following on from that I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and then later on Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, and then a few years later on with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. During that time, my mobility, fatigue levels and pain levels got worse. 

I was unable to live anything like what I had envisaged my life to be. My joints dislocate regularly, I have to wear braces, splints and supports, and be very careful about how I move. I often have to use a wheelchair or on better days I use my crutch. If I over-exert myself, stand up too quickly or if I’m upright for too long, I either pass out or I get very dizzy and very unwell. My fatigue and pain levels are very high so I’m dealing with exhaustion daily. 

I need help doing the physical things that are part of daily living, like folding laundry and putting it away because there’s so much standing up, bending over, and moving which can cause issues. When I was at my lowest, I couldn’t do anything – I couldn’t cook for myself, I needed assistance showering and I rarely left the house. It was incredibly isolating and my world shrunk to the size of my flat. Everything was dictated by whether I was well enough to do XYZ, and the answer was usually no. 

My mental health was at the worst point it had ever been. I was very depressed and very lonely. It was very anxiety-inducing to think that if something happened to me, I’d be here by myself and there would be nothing I could do. It was one of the loneliest periods in my life. I was extremely low at points and it was a struggle at times to see how I could continue living like that. I was single at the time and I thought no one is going to want this. 

I’ve needed the support of either carers or a personal assistant since 2015, which was incredibly difficult to accept initially. This was supposed to be when the world would be my oyster and I would go and be young, do exciting things and live an exciting life. Instead, I had to have people help me do my laundry. 

 

The housing association said you’re not allowed to have a dog in the house unless they are an assistance dog. That’s when I came across Canine Partners. When I first met Darcey, I thought she was gorgeous and adorable. 

I still have a Personal Assistant who comes a couple of times a day and helps with things that Darcey can’t. She helps me do the dishes and fold up laundry, which might be tricky for a dog to do without opposable thumbs!

Although my fiancée works from home, she’s usually busy, so I can’t always rely on her for help if I fall or drop something. Having Darcey means I don’t have to wait for someone to help me out. Before I became disabled, dropping my phone was something I wouldn’t have given much thought to. For most people, it’s a minor inconvenience. Thanks to Darcey, I don’t have to worry about it anymore. 

The most significant benefit of having Darcey is the emotional support she provides. Although that isn’t her primary duty, it has been one of the most significant improvements in my life since I was paired with her. Thanks to her, I’ve been able to do things I thought were off the cards for me. I’m getting married next October and Darcy will be the ring bearer – she came on our first date. 

I withdrew from university, which historically would probably have caused a major mental health dip, but it didn’t. I still have a life and the potential to do more things. I started having to go outside every day because I had a dog to walk and while that was difficult at first, it has meant that I’ve re-entered the world in a way that I haven’t been able to. It’s difficult to explain how massive that is if it hasn’t happened to you. The help that Darcey gives me in the little day-to-day tasks enables me more energy to be part of the world again. 

My disability and my ill health took centre stage – people were asking “What’s wrong with you?” “What do you have?”. It’s a natural human curiosity, but it effectively made me feel like that was all people saw. As soon as I started going out with Darcey, the first thing people asked me about was her, which I could talk about all day. 

Since having Darcey, I have reclaimed some of my pre-illness bravery. It’s very hard not to be careful when you know that everything you do can make you very unwell. I had written myself off. I felt like I would be stuck in one place, unable to do much of anything and just existing rather than living. I resigned myself to that future, but Darcey was the stone in the road that changed the course of the wheel. 

I’m currently planning to retrain as an art therapist. I want to be able to have a positive impact on the world, and that wouldn’t have been even within my wildest imagination. Without Canine Partners and Darcey, my life would be in exactly the same place– nothing would have changed. I think I’d have been stagnating in a very small life and be in a very unhappy place. 

When I first started getting ill, it was like I was in freefall. Everything was crumbling around me and there was nothing to hold on to, I was just falling. 

Darcey introduced structure back into my life and that has meant that I am able to build again. She’s given me back a lot of confidence and with that, I’ve regained my independence. I no longer feel like I rely solely on the people around me – I can be my own person again and Darcy is a massive part of that.

 

Stephen Brookes, 44  

In 2008, my world changed dramatically when a motorbike accident left me with a life-changing spinal cord injury. I am paralysed from the shoulders down, which means that I need to use a wheelchair full-time and require 24-hour care.  

I had served in the Royal Navy for 15 years, a life that was filled with structure and a strong sense of purpose. The switch from military life to spending over a year in hospital and rehabilitation was abrupt and the transition was challenging. I had to adapt to a new home as my old house couldn’t be adapted to my needs, and the loss of my military career was another significant blow.  

I was introduced to Canine Partners during my rehabilitation. Considering the difficulties I was facing at the time, I was amazed by what these dogs could do. 

My first canine partner, Major, was an energetic black Labrador. While Major was a great dog, our partnership faced some challenges, and it became evident that I required a different match to fully benefit from having an assistance dog.  

I was then matched with Kizzy, a Labrador Retriever cross, who became my second canine partner. She was not just a companion; she was my lifeline for seven years. With Kizzy by my side, I could have a more active role in my young daughters’ lives. Her presence meant my wife, Nicola, could just be my wife, instead of needing to take on additional caring responsibilities. 

Kizzy provided much-needed emotional support, helping me navigate the challenges that arose from my injury. Her companionship allowed me to connect more deeply with my family and provided a distraction from the chronic pain. Even at night, Kizzy’s presence eased my nightmares and fears, offering reassurance and comfort.  

One of the most significant benefits of having an assistance dog was the boost in my confidence. I could venture outside, knowing that Kizzy would help me if I encountered difficulties. She could retrieve dropped items, stabilise my position if I leaned too far, and even alert others in case of an emergency.  

Sadly, Kizzy passed away in 2021. Life without Kizzy, as I currently wait for a successor dog, has been challenging. I really miss her. While I am grateful for my care team, I miss the independence that having a canine partner provided. Everyday tasks, like buying a coffee, now require assistance, reminding me of my dependence on others.  

As I get older, my need for support will only increase. I know that I will always need a canine partner by my side.  

 

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James, 81, was partnered with canine partner Spud in June 2018. This is his story. 

My name is James and I have Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy. My disability affects my limbs, with no movement below the ankle and very limited dexterity in my hands. I get very tired and suffer with pain in my joints. 

“My main problem is lack of mobility – I can walk short distances with a stick; however, I normally rely on a mobility scooter. My manual dexterity is very poor, which means that I’m slow at doing things, I struggle with picking things up that I’ve dropped, and I fall quite a lot and find getting up very difficult. I like being independent, so it was frustrating that I might have to rely on others.  

 

“In 2018 I received a phone call from Canine Partners asking me to meet Spud. I couldn’t believe that such a handsome dog was going to be my canine partner. He was friendly, cooperative and settled in at home very quickly – our Aftercare Assistant was delighted by how quickly we bonded.  

“Spud has provided structure to my day – he allows me to do things that I previously found difficult and he’s always there for me, willing to help.  

“When I compare life now to how it was before Spud, he enables me to live my life as fully as possible, given my disability. Thanks to Spud, I’m more self-sufficient and don’t have to rely on others as much. My wife is less concerned about leaving me on my own when she goes away. 

“Spud gives me the confidence to go out on my own. We go on lots of walks and I feel better for being out in the fresh air. He also accompanies me on visits to gardens and we’ve joined several disabled rambles. People talk to me because of Spud which means I’ve made so many friendships – after church each Sunday there is a queue of people wanting to say hello to us! 

“Our partnership became even more important during lockdown where we spent many happy hours rambling far and wide. 

“Canine Partners has become such a large part of my life. They’ve given me so much and I really wanted to give something back, which is why I’ve become more involved in fundraising and raising awareness for the charity.”

Read more from James’ family: 

James’ wife Anne said: “James and I have been married for 40 years. Since being partnered with Spud, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in James’ independence and confidence. He’s much more comfortable going places without me, and I don’t have to be as vigilant watching out for him. Taking Spud for a walk every day has been immensely beneficial, not just in terms of physical help but also for James’ mental health. They meet people on their walks and have become well-known in our community.  

“Regarding my own wellbeing, having Spud around has been a great help. I now feel more comfortable leaving Jamie at home while I go out for longer periods. I used to avoid going out for more than an hour or so, but now I’m happy to go out for the day or even overnight. Jamie falls quite often, but Spud is always there to help him. It’s a huge relief to know they have each other, especially at night.  

“The impact of Spud on our relationship has been tremendous. When Spud first came, I felt left out. I hadn’t realised how strong their bond would be, and suddenly there were three of us in our marriage! But now, I’m happy to see how well they get along. During the pandemic, Spud has been a true companion for James, and I don’t think he would have made it without him. Spud is wonderful and has brought enormous benefits to our lives.” 

James’s daughter Helen said: “Spud has been a positive addition to my dad’s life in all ways. He not only provides practical help but also serves as a companion, bringing joy and a sense of security through his presence. He has given my dad more independence to go for walks, and the help he has given around the house, such as picking things up, has been invaluable.” 

 

Penny was partnered with her second canine partner River in July 2021. This is her story.

My name is Penny and I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3, also known as Brittle Bones, which means I can break a bone without trauma and dislocate very easily. I have fractured my bones over 200 times so need to be careful in my day-to-day activities to avoid injuries. However, I have accepted that with this type of condition, I will fracture regardless of what I do or don’t do.

I applied to Canine Partners after always wanting a dog and the independence I could see that they bring. As a child I saw other people with my condition who had assistance dogs and in my head, as that young impressionable child, I said “One day I’ll have an assistance dog”. I saw how much independence they had and that they would come to conferences on their own without needing a human carer. My plan was that I would apply for an assistance dog when I bought my own property, as I’d be living on my own.

Meeting Imogen

In 2017, I received a very exciting phone call to say I’d been matched with a dog. She was a 20-month-old Golden Retriever named Imogen, who I nicknamed ‘Immy’. In my heart, I had really wanted a Golden Retriever but I didn’t want to limit myself as it had to be the right dog. When I heard my match was with a Goldie, I was beside myself with excitement. My heart absolutely melted when I first met Immy, she looked stunning and had sweet, gentle, soulful eyes.

Immy was a really funny dog with the typical Goldie traits – I knew after every walk I’d be coming home with a wet, muddy and happy dog! She loved to work and would get so excited to do tasks so every training session was certainly fun! Sadly at the end of 2020, she had to retire due to medical reasons. I was heartbroken and made the very difficult for Canine Partners to rehome her as neither myself nor my family could provide her with the level of care that she required.

At the time I decided that I would like a successor dog and I re-joined Canine Partners’ waiting list and was so excited when I received the exciting call again to say I’d been matched with a two-year-old yellow Labrador X Golden Retriever.

Then along came River

When I met River for the first time I went in feeling quite different. I was full of trepidation about going through the process again and still healing from a broken heart after saying goodbye to Immy. As soon as River came through to meet me all my feelings eased and River instantly leaned as far into my wheelchair as possible to cuddle up to me.

It was much easier to settle into the new partnership the second time around as I had a better understanding of what to expect and how to meet the needs of a dog. I also gave myself breathing room, knowing that it takes time to build up a solid working relationship. River made my transition to a successor dog easy as she’s such a tactile, loving dog. She is very easy to communicate with and understand, so I have got to know her likes/dislikes and what motivates her quickly.

River is an absolute dream to work with as she is a very chilled dog that goes with the flow – if nothing is happening then she’s more than happy to snooze, yet ready to get going in an instant whenever she needs to. She absolutely loves cuddles so she makes a wonderful hot water bottle, even when she does think she can fit on your lap!

Life with a Canine Partner

 

Both my dogs have made a huge difference in my life. I wasn’t expecting Immy to come into her own as quickly as she did because within 10 days of bringing her home, I fractured my arm and my leg. This was the first time I fully understood how much of a lifeline a canine partner would make to my life.

I had to move back to my parent’s house for my recovery and had carers coming in three times during the day. Recovery before having a canine partner was very different. It was stressful being on my own, stuck in one position and worried that if I dropped the TV remote or my mobile then I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it until the next care visit. I remember having Immy lying next to me, having a sense of relief knowing that if I did drop something she would be able to pick it up for me – this gave me a sense of independence when most of my other independence had been taken away.

Teaching Immy to tidy up her toys was something I was able to do whilst I was recovering. It really helped pass the tedious time as typically my fractures take much longer to heal than 6 weeks. For me, it really is the little things that make a big difference. I’m sure both my dogs have helped stop many fractures because I’m no longer having to try to reach down or over-stretch for things.

When I used to be a call handler for the police my canine partner was able to accompany me, so both dogs have supported me at work. It was always so beneficial emotionally to be able to reach down and give my dog a little stroke when things were very stressful. I’ve now moved jobs within the police and River is a hit in my new office. She provides a bit of stress relief to myself and colleagues – her cheeky character makes us laugh! It’s so nice for River to do little things under the desk for me such as discreetly picking up things I drop rather than having to rely on my colleagues.

Before having a canine partner, I would frequently get patronised when I was out in public as people either saw me as a child or they would infantilise me, patting me on the head and displaying all sorts of bizarre behaviours towards me. When I’m out with River most of my interactions with people are positive and definitely less patronising. People either leave us alone because they know not to distract a working dog or are interested in learning more about Canine Partners. This has had a huge impact on my mental health, as I finally feel seen for myself rather than being treated like a child. River gives me the confidence to take my four-year-old nephew out by myself. He adores River and loves feeling responsible for keeping her ‘safe’ and ‘brave’ when we go out.

I have always enjoyed having my sidekick next to me on my adventures. Immy accompanied me on many hotel visits and a flight to Scotland. River has crammed just as much in, including road trips, Crufts, and conferences. We also have plans to go to Paris next year to watch the 2024 Paralympics. Everything feels a little bit better when I have River by my side, even simple things like eating in a restaurant on my own or chilling at home.

Having a dog will completely change anyone’s life but having a canine partner is extra special.

Will you donate towards the next generation of canine partners? To find out more about how you can support us this winter, please visit our Winter Appeal.

 

Sue was partnered with her second canine partner Vinnie in October 2017. This is her story.

My name is Sue and I live in Cumberland with my husband Mark. I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – an inherited condition that affects collagen throughout my body. This leads to multiple unpredictable dislocations, which cause severe acute and chronic pain. Over time, the dislocations have impaired my mobility, leading to reliance on crutches and now a powered wheelchair. I also sustained a head injury in 1998, which affected my short-term memory.

Prior to having a canine partner, I spent six months bed-bound, reliant on carers and family to fulfil all my needs. My confidence was at an all-time low, I was very anxious and I was reluctant to transfer to a wheelchair and go outside. My social circle was limited to family and carers, and I grieved for the loss of my job as a Registered General Nurse and later as a Human Resource Policy Advisor. I found myself in my early 40s very depressed and feeling useless.

While in the hospital, I met someone who had an assistance dog and felt that this would be the solution to get me out of the rut I had found myself in. I did some research on the various Assistance Dog organisations and was directed towards Canine Partners. The thought of meeting my canine partner gave me the drive to push for physiotherapy help so that I could self-transfer to a wheelchair.

I have had two canine partners, Quizzy and Vinnie, and I am currently awaiting matching with a further successor dog as Vinnie is now partly retired and supports me at home as a Pet Assisted Living (PAL) dog.

I was so excited when I met my first canine partner Quizzy. My first memory is of my husband accidentally dropping his car keys and Quizzy picking them up without even being asked. My bond with her seemed to be immediate and I fell in love with this amazing dog.

Quizzy was a live wire, who was totally toy-orientated and loved swimming. She was a very tactile dog who became my constant companion. Quizzy used to climb up onto my recliner chair and snuggle into me which helped comfort me when I was in severe pain.

Vinnie is independent and is definitely more Lab than Retriever – he is totally food-orientated! When we were first partnered, Vinnie would try to jump over puddles to avoid water but now enjoys a good wallow – especially if it’s muddy!

Both of my canine partners have been highly intelligent dogs and very task orientated with a keenness to learn new tasks, picking them up quickly. The task work that both dogs have done for me over the past 10 years has been amazing. Some of the tasks they have done for me include undressing me, taking off braces, alerting me to alarms, getting drinks from the fridge, helping with washing, and closing and opening doors.

In addition to task work, the reassurance that they are by my side and can help me is invaluable. When I fall over, they will alert for help and stay by my side until it arrives.

Being in a partnership means the world to me, it has given me a reason to enjoy life more and relax, which has reduced my stress levels. Prior to having Quizzy, I felt like I was letting my family down as I no longer played a vital role in the household.

Having a canine partner has helped me get stronger, more independent and has improved my self[1]worth. They have given me a purpose to get out, a talking point and a reason to rejoin my local community – I recently successfully stood for the Parish Council.

For a few years with Quizzy I was a guest speaker at societies and clubs where I would talk about Canine Partners and my partnership. I’ve also helped run fundraising events for Canine Partners and for a while had a merchandise stall at village fetes, none of which I could have done without being partnered. In the future, I would like to take on a volunteer role with a local charity. Having my canine partner accompanying me will help with my confidence in taking on such a role.

The help and advice from Aftercare and Advanced Trainers has taught me how to work successfully in a partnership and teach my canine partner new tasks.

There was a gap of a few months between my partnerships with Quizzy and Vinnie. During this period I felt very lost, my independence suffered and I became more reliant again on family and carers. Now that Vinnie is a PAL dog, I really miss his companionship while I’m out and about and find my confidence waning at times.

Quizzy and Vinnie gave me back a purpose in life. They became my distraction to help me cope and to begin to live my life properly again.

Read more from Sue’s family:

Sue’s husband, Mark, said: “I had witnessed Sue’s mobility and confidence deteriorate over the years. She became quite insular and lacked her previous drive and ambition. Having a canine partner has turned this around and given her a purpose to get up and the confidence to talk to people. “I work full time and sometimes need to work away overnight. Knowing that Sue has a canine partner with her has helped me to stop worrying about how she is coping on her own. I know that Quizzy, and now Vinnie, alert Sue when her medication alarm sounds, so I don’t have to worry that she will forget to take it.”