Categories: Our partnerships

Our partnerships

Meet Colette and Cayde

Colette was partnered with her second canine partner Cayde in May 2019.

My name is Colette and I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). I’d struggled with joint pain for most of my life, which doctors thought was Arthritis. I wasn’t correctly diagnosed with EDS until I was in my 50’s. I used to use a wheelchair when I was going out of the house, but I now need to use it most of the time.

I first came across Canine Partners when a lacemaking group I was part of donated to them. Six months later I decided to apply for a canine partner.

In 2009 I was partnered with a Labradoodle named Jennie. She was energetic, very intelligent and loved the outdoors. I was lucky that there wasn’t a significant gap between losing Jennie and getting my second canine partner Cayde, which made a terrific difference.

I was partnered with Cayde, a black Labrador x Golden Retriever, in 2019 and soon afterwards my husband passed away. Cayde stayed by my side and has been great company ever since. He learns quickly and definitely has a cheeky side!

For years I always had a low level of pain that I couldn’t get rid of and it would take a long time to recover after doing tasks. Two years after having my first canine partner Jennie, I didn’t have this pain anymore. The little tasks that canine partners do, like picking things up for me, all add up and by not having to do them, I’m taking pressure off my joints. This has had the biggest impact on my day-to-day life as I’m not in as much pain, which makes doing other things easier
and much more enjoyable!

Jennie and Cayde have also benefited my mental health and my temperament has improved. A stranger who regularly saw me out and about told me I looked so much more confident and happier since having a canine partner.

Having a canine partner is a great conversation starter. I even find that people who are usually frightened of dogs are comfortable around canine partners due to their calm presence. I didn’t know many people living with disabilities before I had a canine partner and I’m lucky to have become great friends with people that I’ve met through Canine Partners’ community.

To put it simply, having a canine partner has given me my life back

Meet Jess and Xolani

My name is Jess, I have various disabilities that affect my balance and ability to walk far without an aid. I regularly drop things, especially when I’m more tired as fatigue is a big part of a lot of my conditions.

Before having a canine partner, I needed my mum’s help a lot. I realised I could save energy by having an assistance dog that could do the tasks I needed, so I applied for a canine partner as it meant that I could be more independent. I had been in hospital a lot and my confidence was at an all-time low because of new diagnoses. I had grown up with having family dogs and I loved them, so the thought of having something to get me up gave me something to live for.

When I first met black Flat Coated Retriever, Xenna, I was instantly in love. I knew that this girl and I would be great together, so I was pleased we were a match! Xenna, as my first canine partner, was just what I needed at the time. I needed to grow in confidence and Xen made me talk to people and helped me to get out into the world. Psychologically, Xen was a huge asset to me.

Both dogs have had very different personalities. Xolani, my second canine partner, is not as people-orientated but she is extremely cheeky and a live wire! As I have become less able to do things, Xolani is there super-fast to do jobs for me. The food is not the reason, I’m sure!

Our daily routine has changed since I had Xenna, as I now regularly work 10 hours a week. Being able to work is an example of where having my first canine partner got me! I now work teaching football to children and adults with disabilities, so they are potential future recipients of one of these dogs. They can see what Xolani does for me and how I have managed to achieve so much with her help, so seeing us together could encourage them for their futures.

As mentioned previously, fatigue is a big part of my struggles along with pain. Since also being diagnosed with long covid, I now struggle even more. Xolani helps with daily tasks such as getting the washing out of the washing machine and picking things up. She tidies up her bowl by putting it in the drawer and at work she picks items up at the end of a session. I never thought I would return to work, so to be in a position to do what I love with my canine partner helping me is amazing. Xolani also makes everyone’s day by coming with me!

Life with a canine partner

Life My confidence continues to grow and I’m doing things I would never even of dreamt possible. I have run education sessions on disabilities and also worked in other scenarios telling my story. I used to hate talking to more than one person, let alone a whole room! This is where Xenna got me in her time as my canine partner, she really helped to build my confidence and I’ve vowed to continue in her memory. The goals I have now feel more believable and achievable.

The difference having a canine partner has had on my family is massive. They know I’m not struggling and can see how happy and confident I am now. I believe that has a knock on affect for my family. Xolani, like Xenna before her, is well and truly a family member.

Continued learning and support

The support from the charity’s Aftercare Team is a big part of the growth in the relationship between myself and both my canine partners. Learning about the dogs’ personalities and the breeds is massive – a Flat Coated Retriever is very different to a Labrador! I’ve been learning how to work with Xolani to get the best out of her, in a different way to how I had to work with Xenna. Having the support from Aftercare when Xenna retired and then sadly passed away was also really important, and they then helped my relationship with Xolani going forward. I think achieving anything I’ve been taught by Aftercare is always such a lovely feeling. The bond between Xolani and I has grown as she’s learnt to trust me with their support.

I had a fair while without an assistance dog due to Xenna’s ill health and, consequently, retirement while I was on the waiting list for a successor dog. This time without a canine partner was tough, as I noticed I had my mum helping me out far more again as I had to do everything myself. For example, if I was picking up after myself more often I then struggled more with fatigue, so was unable to do bed making or washing without a massive struggle. You don’t realise how much the small jobs your canine partner does helps you achieve the big things until they aren’t there to do it. Having my girl Xolani by my side helps me achieve so much and I believe I have set higher goals to push myself. I never thought this was possible, so these dogs really are life changers.

Your donations help us to keep transforming lives by training our amazing life-changing dogs and providing specialist support for new partnerships. Find out more about how you can support Canine Partners this summer by visiting caninepartners.org.uk/summer-support

 

 

Meet Fiona, from Bexhill-on-Sea

Fiona has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and was partnered with golden retriever Wizal (also known as Mr Wiz!) in May 2016. This is her story:

My name is Fiona Bower and I live in Bexhill-on-Sea with my husband, two daughters and son-in-law. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2000, at the age of 38.

MS is a neurological condition where the myelin coating which protects the nerve fibres is damaged, with the result that messages can no longer pass effectively between the brain and the rest of the body. MS has many varied symptoms which can include difficulties with coordination, eye problems, muscle spasms, chronic fatigue and pain.

My secondary progressive MS means that I am a full-time wheelchair user. When I was diagnosed with MS my daughters were still small, age seven and 10, and I was working full-time as a nursery teacher.

My condition progressed quickly, which was both difficult and distressing. My confidence plummeted and I became isolated, lonely and frustrated. I retreated from my old life and, realistically, I spent about eight years like this.

Discovering Canine Partners

It was my daughter who made me aware of Canine Partners but, to begin with, I felt reluctant to apply as I had little self-belief. I did eventually submit the forms and about nine months later, when I was being assessed, I realised how transformative this could be for me, as well as my family. About 15 months after my assessment, I was contacted and told that there was a dog who looked as though he could be suited to my needs – Canine Partners ensure that you’re matched really well with your assistance dog.

On-site training with Wizal

I was pretty anxious before my advanced training in May 2016: when your hopes are pinned on something like this being a success it can feel very daunting. The training was intense and emotionally-draining but Clare, one of the trainers, was so patient and it helped that I bonded with Wizal – soon to be known as ‘Mr Wiz’ – very quickly.

It’s a steep learning curve and I think it’s important that prospective partners are prepared for this and do not feel discouraged by thinking that everyone else finds it easy. But it is absolutely worth it.

Unfortunately I fell ill right after I got home from the training, so it was decided that Wizal should go back to the Southern Training Centre while I recovered. Despite this initial set-back, once he was back with me, things took a huge upturn.

Life with Wizal

I developed the confidence to do and try more things and my world opened up again. I started volunteering at Gatwick Airport, as part of the passenger advisory group. Mr Wiz even has an airside pass in the form of a lanyard with his photograph on it which describes his role as ‘Dog Extraordinaire’!

The bond was evident very early on in the process and we’ve grown to be increasingly in tune with each other. Mr Wiz anticipates what I need, without me having to ask, and will often fetch my slippers before I mention it – it really feels as though he cares for me. People even say that we look alike – we’re both blonde, although his is natural and I have highlights!

Mr Wiz loves a task and is very focused. Daily support includes helping me to get dressed and undressed, as well as collecting the post, changing the bed sheets and helping me with the laundry and dishwasher. He’s so patient with me and never minds how many times I drop things and he has to pick them back up.

I appreciate Wizal’s enthusiasm with his task work but it is almost secondary to the confidence he’s given me to get out and embrace my life. I successfully co-led a Christian retreat with Wizal by my side and I’m also part of the Govia Thameslink railway access advisory panel. Mr Wiz comes to meetings with me – he sits very patiently and politely for up to two hours but after that he gets a little restless and offers me his paw to show that he’s ready to go. He also accompanies me to the hairdressers and the beauty salon without complaint. He’s quite a sensible character, though, and makes it clear that he expects to be home and in bed by 9:00pm.

Mr Wiz is a really significant part of our family. He was even the ring bearer at my daughter’s wedding – one of our Aftercare Trainers helped him learn this very important extra task!

Meet James and Megan

My name is James and I’m 34 years old. I have Cerebral Palsy which affects the use of all four of my limbs.

I face barriers on a day to day basis due to my condition. Small physical tasks can be very difficult for me. Things as simple as picking things up when I drop them and grabbing something off the shelf when I’m shopping are hard for me to do myself. I have a lot of metal in my pelvis and hips due to the operations I’ve had over the years, so even small movements on bad days can be uncomfortable. Moving too often can also cause me muscle spasms, which makes everyday tasks really difficult for me.

The difficulties that I faced on a day to day basis also took a toll on my mental health. I was very anxious about a lot of things, particularly about going out anywhere on my own. I would talk myself out of doing anything independently because of what I thought might go wrong, and ended up isolating myself completely.

I originally applied for a canine partner when I moved into my current house, many years ago. Even then, I talked myself out of it because of my anxieties, telling myself that I wouldn’t be accepted, that I wouldn’t be able to look after a dog. I’m someone who’s scared of failure, which stops me from taking things on a lot of the time. A few years went by, and in around 2014, I saw another canine partner when I was in town with one of my carers. It was around about the time that the council cut my care hours, which was really difficult, as I didn’t want to go out on my own.

I spoke with the person who had the canine partner, and told them about how I had almost applied before and stopped myself, and they told me I had to go through with it after I explained a bit about my situation. Eventually, I got round to applying, and soon after I received a letter telling me I’d been accepted onto the next step towards getting a canine partner.

I then went to the charity’s Midlands Training Centre to do some assessments. Even then, I was telling myself that I’d never be able to do what was required to have a dog, but I kept going and eventually got to the day where I was meeting Megan for the first time.

Meeting Megan

She came into the room and looked at me, with eyes like butter wouldn’t melt! She looks at me even now like I’m the best thing in the world, and she did that the first time she saw me. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve that, but it’s a beautiful feeling every time she does. The residential training was difficult, and was a constant battle of fighting with my own lack of confidence. But the whole time, Megan just wanted to help me and do my tasks, which is still the same to this day. What might be a boring task for me is a fun game to her, and she just loves helping me out whenever she can.

“I used to be worried about every day before it would even arrive. Now I know that whatever comes, Meg and I will deal with it together.”

Megan offers a lot of help with the small physical tasks that are a lot of effort for me to do myself. She’ll take my jumper off, pick things up off the floor, get things off of the shelf, collect the mail and bring it back to me. The discomfort I feel when moving to do different everyday tasks like these is greatly reduced due to Megan doing those movements for me, and it makes my life much easier every day.

Socially, my life is very different. Before I had Megan, I felt as if people wouldn’t look at me twice, but now, people will always come up to us and chat about Megan and what she can do. At the best of times I’m a naturally unsociable person, but having Megan beside me just seems to put me in situations where I talk to so many more people, and I know I’m better off for it. It’s helped me build connections, a wider support network for myself, and it’s all because Megan starts these conversations and in her own amazing way.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, for example, people were bringing me food and supplies for myself and Megan. Without her, I wouldn’t have built those connections and probably wouldn’t have that support. I just didn’t have the confidence to talk to people before Megan. She’s the best conversation starter there is.

Having to walk Megan means I generally get out of the house more, which is great for my mental health. I’ve been places that I would never have been comfortable with. I’ve been to shows and gigs which I would never have done previously. All of this widens my circles socially, and none of that would’ve happened before Megan came into my life.

Big changes

They might be small changes to some people, but for me they’re huge, and having the freedom to do these things independently, even something as simple as going into the local café for breakfast after walking Megan, has made a huge difference to my life. Recently, I took Megan for a walk and it started to rain. I thought I was going to get soaked, so I went under a tree with Megan and ended up sitting there for about half an hour. Even then, I felt grateful for being out in the world, and that before Megan, I wouldn’t be out here at all. It’s made me appreciate the small things in life in a way I couldn’t before.

Becoming a pair

People say to me now that I seem much less anxious and worried about things than I was, which is definitely true. Although I don’t live close to my family, they know the effect that Megan has had on me, physically and mentally. My mum passed away in December 2020, and she used to say before she passed away, that every other sentence I would mention Megan. That’s how intertwined with your life they become as your canine partner. There’s no separating us, we come as a pair! Before my mum died, she said to me that she knew I’d be okay because I had Megan and it was a relief to know that she didn’t worry about me before she passed.

I used to be worried about every day before it would even arrive. Now I know that whatever comes, Megan and I will deal with it together. I draw a lot of strength from her, and sometimes she doesn’t even have to do anything, but the simple fact she’s there gives me enough of a boost to get through the day. I take each day as it comes, and having Megan by my side makes that even easier. From the connections that I’ve built and social circles that have opened up, I do feel like I have a positive future, and that’s because of Megan. Before Megan retires, I want to go on holiday, which is something I haven’t done in 15 years of living here. The fact that I can look ahead to this sort of thing is something that I wouldn’t have even contemplated before!

It’s probably fair to say that I was a glass half empty kind of guy, but with Megan by my side, the glass is looking much fuller.

Meet Paul and Ralph

Paul was partnered with canine partner Ralph in October 2016. This is his story:

I was an ordinary 20-year-old lad enjoying my life and working in my dream job with a kitchen fitting company. I had a long-term girlfriend and a wide range of friends.

On the 10th November 2012 my life changed forever. I was driving my new car late at night when I crashed and broke my neck. I spent two long months in intensive care, fighting for my life. When my family spoke to the doctors they were told I have a high-level spinal cord injury and would be paralysed from my neck down.

Once I was finally well enough to be moved out of intensive care I spent another seven months in the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore getting specialist care and learning how to live with my injuries. I was taken off heavy medication and was beginning to learn to breathe without a ventilator when I started to get movement back in my left arm. Eventually, after a lot of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and hard work I was able to move both my other arm, but I cannot use my hands. However, with good control of my left wrist, I have learnt to use my finger and thumb to pick up small objects and use a splint on my index finger to type on a phone or tablet. I now need 24 hour support from carers.

I also suffered severe depression due to the accident and life changes. The matron of the ward allowed my family’s two pet dogs to come into the side room to see me in order to help my low mood. Our cockapoo would sit on my bed so I could stroke him. This would always brighten up my day. Some months later, on my 21st birthday in July 2013, I was discharged.

My life is now completely different. I now need 24-hour support from carers and have previously suffered from severe depression due to the accident.  I continued living with my parents whilst I got used to my new life, but I very quickly got bored as all my friends and family worked while I had nothing.

A year after coming home, I went on a multi-activities course in the Lake District with a charity that supports people with spinal injuries. During this course I was shown that my life wasn’t over, as I once thought and there is still plenty I can do. I began volunteering, sailing, swimming and I also got a membership to watch Arsenal football matches. While at a football match I saw someone go past in a wheelchair with an assistance dog, which inspired me to do some research.

Visiting the Canine Partners website I read a partnership story about someone with a spinal cord injury and it was the motivation I needed to apply.

At an assessment day a few weeks later, I had a fantastic time meeting lots of different dogs and it convinced me even more that I would benefit from having one.  The team at Canine Partners worked hard to find the right match and when Ralph and I were introduced 18 months later there was an instant connection and I knew he was the dog for me.

Ralph is great fun to have around and he keeps me motivated. We practice tasks on daily basis and he made an immediate impact on my life. He presses an alarm that calls the carer if I need of help and can’t call them myself.

He picks things up and gives them to me like my phone and finger splint. He takes my jacket off and my gloves in the winter and he helps remove my blankets if I get too hot at night. He also opens and closes doors for me on a daily basis and he sometimes presses the controller to my electronic assistive technology for me, turning on or off lights, fans, heaters and my TV and also helping me phone people if I need to. He can also get the post, he can find the TV controls or my wallet and he can press the button at traffic lights.

Now, I’m 27-years-old and I am pleased to be finally living an independent life again by living in my own flat since September 2017.

The location and the fact I have Ralph means I am able to go out and about completely on my own, including to the doctors and hospital appointments. We also have a massive field just a few minutes away, so in the summer I spend a lot of time there with him.

Having Ralph by my side has not only made me more independent, he has made me a lot healthier. Since having Ralph I am no longer anxious or in and out of hospital constantly. I don’t know if it’s the fresh air I’m getting or the fact I now have a purpose in life and someone else to worry about.

Visit caninepartners.org.uk/our-impact to read more life-changing stories and find out how our work impacts the lives of disabled people, their families and society.

Meet Rebecca and Gregg

My name is Rebecca, I’m 27 years old and I have Cerebral Palsy. I’m a full time wheelchair user and my disability affects the use of all of my limbs, which means I need a high level of personal care with day-to-day tasks.

My attitude is that my disability is part of me and I’m certainly not ashamed of it, but it has created a lot of barriers in my life, and I’m significantly reliant upon physical help. I’m not the type of person who will sit and watch the world go by, I’ve always wanted to participate, but my ability to do this has certainly been restricted by my condition.

I had a really difficult time for many years because of my disability. I faced verbal abuse and I was bullied when I was younger. I always felt as if the world didn’t understand that my disability was a purely physical one, and I faced a lot of judgement about what my capability level was. This judgement had a huge impact on my self-esteem. Although I was someone with dreams and aspirations, the world still just saw me as someone in a wheelchair.

Life was incredibly painful, and I say that as someone who always tries to look at the positives. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I hated life for a long time, and the most powerful thing I can say is that Gregg has turned that around completely.

Life was transformed for Rebecca when she was partnered with Gregg in 2018.

I first found out about Canine Partners through a talk that they did at my college, telling us all about the charity and the things that their dogs can do. I have always loved dogs and had always wanted one. When I heard that I could get a dog and have one that could support me on a day-to-day basis, I was itching to get one!

When I met Gregg for the first time I was so excited because I’m a sucker for a Labrador X Retriever cross! He came to say hello and gave me a big kiss on the face straight away and I knew that he would be great for me. He’s just the right amount of clever, loving and goofy and I really believe we are the perfect match.

Gregg is there for me every morning to help me get out of bed and get dressed, and then he will go and get help from my carers. I’m so clumsy and I drop things all the time. Whenever I drop my makeup brushes (which happens a lot!) he’s always there to pick them up, wagging his tail the whole time. He helps me load the washing machine, he’ll take the recycling out and put it in the right bin and help me get things out of the fridge. He’s so helpful when I go shopping and he’ll drop everything into the trolley for me. Everyone says that Gregg wants to save the planet because he loves putting things in the bin for me when I tell him to!

It’s hard to explain just how much of a difference he’s had on me by helping me do these everyday things that most people wouldn’t think twice about. He’s given me so much more independence and the chance to take charge of my own life and I’m so grateful for that. All of these small things seemed like a barrier to me before, but I don’t see those barriers now that I have Gregg in my life. He makes me feel like everything is possible now we can take life on together.

Rebecca’s partnership with Gregg has not only impacted her life, but the lives’ of her family, too.

Before I was partnered with Gregg I had just moved into my own house. My mum would worry about me being on my own and about whether I was getting the right care. Having Gregg has changed my relationships with my family because I have been given such independence and happiness, and they don’t worry about me like they did before because they know Gregg is with me.

“We have seen such a massive difference in Bec since she’s been with Gregg, it really is night and day. It’s so nice to see Bec and talk to her about the amazing things that she’s been doing and not just about difficulties she’d been having” said Rebecca’s Mum, Kathryn.

“He has such an impact on her mood every day and he’s also had such an impact on our whole family. We all love seeing them together and knowing that she’s safe with him. The reliance on myself and the rest of the family has completely changed because now we know that Bec can be left alone for a while if her carers aren’t there, safe in the knowledge that Gregg is with her.”

Rebecca’s confidence and self-esteem went to new heights with the freedom that having a canine partner gave her.

The physical tasks that Gregg helps me with only tell part of the story of how he has changed my life. Before I had him, I was very lonely and very much felt isolated from other people and from society generally. I didn’t have any friends and felt as if I was trapped in this world where people couldn’t see that I was Bec and that I’m a funny (well, I think I am!) and sociable person, and that I have a life to live. They would just assume that because I was in a wheelchair that I wasn’t capable of anything.

Suddenly, people would see me walking along with Gregg, they would come over and speak to me, whereas before, people wouldn’t know what to say to me. Now, people see beyond my disability. To me, my disability is just a small part of me, and the most boring part of me! People see this gorgeous dog and they want to come over and talk to me. Gregg has broken down so many of those barriers and I don’t feel as isolated from society anymore.

I have my own flat, with a full time care team there for support. My life has changed so much that I feel a lot more independent now, almost like I do live alone. Gregg has changed the way that I look at life, and has allowed me to push for more independence, to push for more choice and control over my life. I never wanted my life to be defined by my disability, or live a sheltered life because of it. Since Gregg has opened my life up, he has given me the strength to fight for what I want.

My self-esteem is unrecognisable from what it was before, and I feel much more comfortable speaking my mind about what I need. He’s not just a dog who has come along and helped me out physically, he’s had such an integral part in my growth and how I feel about myself. I’ve taken risks in my life since Gregg that I would never have done before, because I would’ve been scared about what could go wrong. Now that I know he’s going to be there no matter what, it doesn’t seem so scary.

With Gregg’s support, Rebecca’s social and professional life has flourished.

I’ve taken the massive step of starting my own business since having Gregg, which would never have seemed like a possibility before having him. I perform talks to care companies and share my own experiences of being cared for, talking about why it is so important for people to have choice and control in these situations, regardless of their disability. Gregg has allowed me to educate people about how to see disabled people differently and challenge some misconceptions that still sadly exist.

I’m incredibly proud of myself for taking this step, and it is something that I couldn’t have imagined myself doing before having a canine partner. Although the physical tasks that Gregg can do for me are so important, I see the benefits of having him as so much more profound than that. He’s given my life a totally different meaning and allowed me to go and do something that I’m so passionate about.

Despite this, I’m also someone that doesn’t like to take life too seriously, I like to do spontaneous things and Gregg has allowed me to live this way. I have no idea what my life will look like in 2 or 3 years’ time, but that’s fine with me, because I know that so many possibilities have opened up since I’ve had Gregg. Now I go out for dinner, go to shows, I went to Crufts in 2019 and I would never have gone before I had Gregg. It really has opened up my life. Friendships have happened organically now, because people see who I really am instead of my disability.

I would love to see my business take off even more in the future, and I have plans to go on holidays and see the world. Before, I couldn’t have dreamt of any of these things. Now, I think my life is average but in a beautiful way, because all I ever wanted was a “normal” life. My mind-set has changed so much that I don’t see barriers anymore, I just see opportunities. I see my life going from strength to strength now that I have Gregg. There’s even a group that help disabled people go up mountains – who could’ve imagined that would be a possibility for me. I feel so at peace with my life now that it feels that things are coming my way naturally. That is such a wonderful feeling after going through such hard times earlier in my life. Everything has changed for me because I have changed as a person. I don’t think about things or agonise about things anymore, I’ll just go out and do it.

Visit caninepartners.org.uk/our-impact to read more life-changing stories and find out how our work impacts the lives of disabled people, their families and society.

Meet Aimee and Jordan

My name is Aimee and I have Cerebral Palsy. It affects my mobility in my legs and the right side of body. I was born 11 weeks early at 29 weeks, weighing a tiny 2.11 lbs.

My disability is mainly physical but my life became very isolated and lonely. I went to college but found it incredibly hard. People ignored me and wouldn’t talk to me. As a result, I ended up with anxiety, depression, and on medication for a long time.

I felt as if no one could understand me and who I was. At college people would ask how I can do an A Level 3 course and I would say ‘I can because my mind still works, it’s my legs that don’t’. It was really tough and I found it incredibly hard to settle and be included.

I was lonely and didn’t feel like I had a life. I felt as if it wasn’t worth me being here, but since being partnered with Jordan my life has completely changed.

Jordan helps me with so many things on a day-to-day basis. He can open and close doors for me, he can help me unload the washing machine, and he even fetches my slippers. I can go out on my own now, so I take him to the park, to restaurants and the supermarket.

We went on holiday last year to Jersey with some other partners from Canine Partners, something I would never have done before I had Jordan. I have recently started a new voluntary job supporting people with drug and alcohol misuse. I am so grateful for Jordan as without him I wouldn’t be able to do this role and help others. He’s also very popular with all the staff and volunteers!

He is not just a dog, he is a partner, a best friend, and someone I can rely on all the time no matter what.

I’m a lot happier now, even though my pain is bad some days, I feel like I can cope because Jordan is part of my life and I have to get out of bed for him.

He’s given me a great deal of independence and a much better life in general. He’s also given a better life for my mum and dad, as I can go out and do things without them and they know that Jordan’s there to help me. They don’t have to worry as much and he has given me a purpose again. I’m really happy and positive now and I feel like my life has completely changed.

My dad was quite sceptical when I applied for a canine partner. He thought of Jordan as just a dog, but I told him it’s so much more than that, and over the last two years he’s seen how having Jordan by my side has changed everything for me. He has made my life so much easier, as well as so much happier.

I now have a voluntary role that I love and I would never have done it without Jordan by my side. I hope I can get a job and show people that you can work with a disability and manage independently, and to show people how much Jordan can help me. He doesn’t care if I’m in pain or can’t move very well, because he is happy to help me, because to him it is all about playing a game and having fun.

I love him so much, more than the world and I would do anything for him. Thank you so much to Canine Partners for everything, I can’t imagine life without him, at all!

Visit caninepartners.org.uk/our-impact to read more life-changing stories and find out how our work impacts the lives of disabled people, their families and society.

Meet Majid, from Dumbarton

Majid has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and was partnered with canine partner Oxford in February 2016. This is his story.

I have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and my nerves have been affected by my own immune system. The part that protects the nerves has been damaged so the electric pulse takes too long to pass or doesn’t pass at all if it is blocked. MS comes with many symptoms and you can’t compare one MS patient with another, it depends on the areas that are affected in your brain and your nervous system.

It started with tingling and pins and needles, then it begun to affect my balance. In 2010 I was using one walking stick, which then progressed on to needing two. After four years my physiotherapist advised me to begin using a wheelchair. I fought against it, but eventually I was so tired and fatigued from dragging myself from one place to another that I gave in. I’ve now been in a wheelchair for almost four years.

Muscle spasms are my main symptom along with nervous impairment in different parts of my body from the chest down and in both my legs. My hands have also started getting numb now too. Another symptom of MS is cognitive problems; I have no problem talking but often I can’t find the words to say. It takes a few seconds for me to get the words to come out of my mouth, so I can’t express myself.

Fatigue is a huge part of MS and sometimes it’s so debilitating I have to stay in bed all day. I sleep all day and yet I’m still able to go to sleep at night. Sometimes I will sleep for 16 to 18 hours at a time. It affects my diet as I can’t get up to eat something. On my good days I feel like I can conquer the world, but my brain doesn’t understand. Even after nine years, my brain still thinks I’m the old me and hasn’t coordinated with my failing body.

In February 2010, after the symptoms begun when I was at work, I visited my GP and was in so much pain I couldn’t even let him take my socks off. He asked me to walk in a straight line, but I was walking as if I was drunk. That shocked me. I was sent to hospital and from there it started to get worse. I was an able person and all of a sudden I found myself disabled.

I wasn’t diagnosed properly until the 6 August 2010. I was living in limbo not knowing what was wrong. I had multiple X-Rays and MRI scans, showing multiple lesions to my brain and spine, but nobody was sure what was wrong. When I was given the diagnosis I felt a sense of relief, funnily enough, because the wait and not knowing was over.

I was working as a dialysis nurse in Glasgow at the time and studying for my master’s degree in Bio Engineering. I was diagnosed just at the point of starting my dissertation. Finishing my degree was not a priority and I was off sick from work for a year. I then went back to work gradually, but I began to realise it wasn’t safe for me or my patients for me to be working. I eventually retired on the grounds of ill health in 2012 and moved from Glasgow to a beautiful place near Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire.

When my symptoms got worse I couldn’t pick things up from the floor and I couldn’t take my shoes off. Having a shower was tiring and the heat meant I needed to lie down afterwards to become functional again. It’s so hard to get in a wheelchair after being able to walk; it changes your body image. What you have in your mind is different to what you see in your reflection in the wheelchair. Even now after so many years, it hits me again every time I see myself. I used to run, cycle, get in and out of a car and drive with no worries. Now I have to make sure I leave myself enough time to get in and out of the car. I have to think about pavements and steps, so I need to check places are accessible before I go there. It just makes me so tired. I didn’t feel like I could go outside very much because I had no confidence when I was by myself in my wheelchair.

Discovering Canine Partners

My physiotherapist suggested an assistance dog would be helpful for me and that’s when I came across Canine Partners. It took 19 months for me to be partnered. I can’t remember my life before Oxford. He’s changed my life for the better. It’s like being the complete package; me and Oxford. I am much more confident with him by my side and I feel whole again. I can now go out and go to different places as being with Oxford gives me the confidence to.

Life with Oxford

Oxford allows me to get out of the house much more often, if it wasn’t for him I would just be at home. I go sailing and to places I’ve never been to, I’m more outdoorsy than I was before. Because of him, I managed to get a grant from the MS Society and with their help I bought a hand cycle. If the weather is good we go for a cycle for a mile and a half every day to a green area where he can have a free run and a play. He can even go for a swim as the park is quite close to the loch. He has a smile on his face all year round, no matter what the weather is! It’s a wonderful place to live with a dog, I’m so lucky.

The locals are so friendly and always say hello. Having Oxford opens a door to talk to people, as they don’t know how to act and worry about political correctness. Now it’s not about me, it’s about Oxford. It’s lovely to be able to talk to people, which I couldn’t even do before I was in a wheelchair.

MS is progressive, so I was more able when I was first partnered with Oxford than I am now. At the beginning it was all about getting him to pick up where I lacked ability and he was learning the things that I couldn’t do, like picking things up off the floor. Now it’s more practical and I’m much more dependent on Oxford now. When I get home I’m so tired I can’t even pick up my leg properly. I live on my own, so there is no one to help me other than a carer who comes over three times a week. As I don’t have someone standing by me to take care of the small things all the time, it makes it even more important that Oxford is always there and is always happy to help.

He can take my gloves, shoes and trousers off. He pushes buttons and opens doors. In the supermarket he can get things from low shelves for me and he will give my wallet to the cashier. He gets my mail when the postman comes and will bring it to me. If I transfer from my wheelchair to the couch it will then take me about five minutes to get back in my wheelchair if anything happens, so if someone comes to the door, Oxford will go and open it for me. If the telephone rings he’ll get it and he’ll go outside to get my front door key out the door if I forget it, which I often do. His task work is amazing and is all done on autopilot, no matter where we are.

My life would look completely different if I didn’t have Oxford. Living on my own, I wouldn’t have any company but he’s always there. He likes to let me know he’s there and is always physically touching me in some way. He’s very good.

He’s had a huge impact on my confidence and independence. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t go out of the house and I wouldn’t be as active as I am now. Being active with MS is the secret to keeping your abilities working for longer.

I can’t imagine my life without Oxford. I can’t thank the people who brought him up enough. The whole organisation is amazing. Every single person I’ve met from Canine Partners are absolute angels. They are so selfless. It’s just unbelievable how so many good people can do so much for such a good cause.

 

Have you been inspired by Majid and Oxford’s story? You can help us create more life-changing partnerships by donating today at caninepartners.org.uk/donate 

 

Meet Fiona and Verlin

Fiona Airey was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in 2010. Fiona, who is a primary school teacher, saw her confidence diminished by the vulnerable position that her condition put her in.

Fiona, who lives in Essex, said: “By 2001 I had started my career in teaching and I was very nervous about walking around school where I worked as a teacher, or anywhere with lots of people out of fear of being bumped and hurt. I would walk next to a wall or with someone, like my sister, next to me as I was so concerned my shoulder would dislocate if it was knocked. The pain levels were huge and the world just became smaller and smaller.”

Fiona encountered difficulties in both her personal and professional life, due to a lack of understanding of the condition: “My previous workplace didn’t understand or implement the adaptations they needed to make for me, so I felt as though everything I had worked hard for in my life, and my career, were at risk. I am exceptionally stubborn and I felt as though asking for help was weak. I felt isolated and there wasn’t a lot of compassion, which was very sad.”

Fiona’s life and career changed when she was partnered with assistance dog Verlin, provided by Canine Partners, in 2014.

Fiona said: “On the day I got ‘the phone call’ to say I had been matched with a dog, I was at school in a class and had just had a really tough day. The call came and they said ‘we think we’ve got a dog for you’ – every single stress of the day just disappeared. My colleague, Siobhan, said I was almost jumping up and down with excitement! That’s when my canine partner, Verlin, came into my life.”

“When she first came back to work with her new canine partner, Verlin, I was watching him working and realised the impact that he would have on Fiona.” Said Siobhan, Fiona’s colleague. “You could see how much he enjoyed helping her, as well as the respect the children had for what he was doing too – they immediately learnt so much from watching him.”

Having canine partner Verlin has given Fiona the confidence and freedom to pursue new adventures with the safety of her canine companion by her side.

“He just opened everything back out for me. It wasn’t just the obvious things like picking up items I dropped or opening doors and filling the washing machine, as all of those things were on the tick list of tasks I knew he would do.” said Fiona. “It was all the things I didn’t expect, like the confidence that came back to me and the ability for me to see a future. I had the confidence for my career to take off, to be in a classroom, and to be around people because Verlin was there.”

Fiona’s friends and family, including her sister Karen, have been able to see the huge impact that having Verlin has had on her life, as well as on the relationships most important to her.

Karen said: “Being partnered with canine partner Verlin has made a huge difference to Fiona’s life. She’ll go out and she’s totally

self-sufficient. On a personal level, Fiona and I can go out as sisters. We like to go to London to the theatre and other things people take for granted, but Fiona and I can now go and do it because she feels more protected in large crowds by having Verlin with her.”

Since being partnered with Verlin, Fiona has seen her career as a Deputy Head teacher go from strength to strength.

Fiona said: “I have always been stubbornly independent and I think that was why the darkness of my physical condition was so huge. Now my independence is back there are no barriers to what I want to do in life or in my career, whereas before I had Verlin I didn’t think I’d be able to teach anymore.”

Having Verlin has also offered Fiona the opportunity to teach her students that everyone has the ability to go on and reach their goals.

“Since having Verlin and being at my current school, they see me as just me. They see the professional that I am and that I happen to come with an assistance dog who enables me to do my job. It shows everyone at the school, whether it’s a child, a parent or a colleague, that everyone can do what they want to do but there might have to be an adaptation in order for them to do it. That’s a huge part of our education – enabling everyone to do what they want to do and to completely fulfil their absolute future potential. There is the role Verlin has for me in enhancing my life, the role he has at school, which enhances school life, and there is the role he has out in society as an ambassador for people who need adaptations to be the most able person they are.”

Lenny, who has worked alongside Fiona as Head Teacher for over two and a half years, has also seen the wider impact that Fiona and Verlin’s partnership has had on the school: “When the teachers and students see Fiona and know they can be successful in any field. They know they’ve got the support they need here as well, because they’ve seen how we’ve adapted so Fiona can have an assistance dog in school. I am confident that Fiona can do her job effectively and go above and beyond, like she does every day, because she’s got Verlin there.”

With Verlin by her side, Fiona feels ready to take on more challenges with confidence and enthusiasm.

“I have recently completed my National Professional Qualification for Head Teachers and have now started my first position as a Head Teacher. With Verlin, there is absolutely nothing holding me back from being as successful or as ambitious as I want to be.” Said Fiona. “I feel alive again as I have a future. Where there was a weight holding me back, as if there was something tied on to me stopping me from  going forwards, Verlin has just taken all that away and is running ahead, clearing the path for me. Nothing can stand in our way.”

This World Teacher Day, Canine Partners is celebrating how assistance dogs like Verlin can transform the lives of adults with disabilities so that they can live full and active lives with their families and in the workplace.

 

Watch Fiona’s full story here

Visit caninepartners.org.uk/our-impact to read more life-changing stories and find out how our work impacts the lives of disabled people, their families and society.

Meet Nicki and Liggy

Canine Partners currently supports over 400 active working assistance dogs in the UK helping people with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury, and Cerebral Palsy, of which 95%* of our partners said that their canine partner assistance dog has met or exceeded their expectations.

Nicki Berry, who has a Spinal Cord Injury, Cauda Equina Syndrome and Essential Tremor, has had a Canine Partners an assistance dog for over three years.

Nicki’s injury made things physically very difficult for her and her family, so they had to move back to the UK from Finland to get the support they needed.

Watch Nicki’s full story here

Click here to find out more about Spinal Cord Injury

49-year-old Nicki, from Yorkshire, said: “After my injury life was just horrible, I was fortunate that I had my husband, Neil, and our two sons as we are a very close family and they did such a lot to make life manageable. I just felt like I was going to be dependent on other people forever and I hate asking for help from other people, as I have always seen myself as strong and capable of doing what I need to do.”

Neil Berry, Nicki’s husband of 27 years, and their two young sons, who were just 15 and 17 years old at the time of her injury, shared the responsibility of caring for Nicki and doing the tasks that needed to be done on a daily basis.

Neil said: “There is absolutely nothing that can prepare you for having to watch your loved one in absolute agony and it was particularly challenging for both our boys watching their mum go from being fit, healthy and active one day to being doubled up in agony the next. She couldn’t do anything herself, including going to the toilet, bathing and feeding herself. It was like a light switch – it suddenly happened.”

Nicki’s parents, Janet and Mike Vyvyan, were living in England when Nicki was injured and found it difficult to be apart from her.

Nicki’s mum, Janet, said: “They came back to England and lived with us for a while but initially we were very worried as Neil was doing a lot of caring for Nicki.  As we are getting older ourselves we worried that if anything happened to Neil, how would we cope looking after Nicki?”

Life for the family changed when Nicki was partnered with assistance dog Liggy, provided by Canine Partners, in November 2017.

Neil said: “Liggy does a lot for Nicki but the most important thing for me is knowing that she has support with her 24/7. Whether it’s enabling Nicki to load and unload the washing machine or to pick things up off the floor when Nicki drops them, which with her condition is very common, or even to help her get undressed – they all seem like small things but when you put them together it’s a lot.”

For Nicki having Liggy, a black Labrador trained by Canine Partners since selection at eight weeks old, makes her feel a lot more confident and she doesn’t worry that something might happen when going into unknown situations.

Nicki said: “I’ve always been very independent but Liggy has enabled me to continue to be as independent when I became disabled, losing my independence was my biggest fear. At work I used to have to go and get someone to pick up a pen for me, now I don’t even have to think about it as Liggy will pick up that pen for me.”

In the workplace, Nicki’s manager, Ros Aspinall, describes her as an extremely talented designer, a strong manager who manages the company’s clients, and a wonderful person to have around in the office.

Ros said: “Liggy helps Nicki throughout the day, such as picking things up off the floor which I know is really helpful, but I think beyond that, it’s the psychological benefits I’ve noticed the most. It gives me peace of mind to know that Nicki has Liggy, who is available to alert us to any problems.”

“Even though Liggy is a working dog, she brings a very significant degree of fun to Nicki’s life and it’s the relaxation as well as the work aspect that really enriches Nicki’s life.”
– Janet, Nicki’s mum

Since having Liggy, Nicki has been able to restart her successful career, and study and complete a Master’s Degree – all of which her husband Neil attributes to having canine partner Liggy by her side.

Neil said: “As we don’t know what the long term outcome is of the injuries, we don’t know how long she will be able to work. Having Liggy gives her the additional support to help her to continue to do that for as long as possible, which is really positive for Nicki physically, mentally and emotionally.”

For Janet and Mike, they have found relief in Liggy being there for Nicki as they have seen Neil relax a lot more and they don’t have to worry as much.

“It will always be a worry, because Nicki’s condition is deteriorating and it won’t get any better, but there are things that Nicki has to cope with that show how brave and confident she is,” says Janet.

When Nicki was first injured, she was completely paralysed and Neil was having to provide all her care needs but now the couple are able to do things that ‘normally happen in a household’.

Nicki said:  “Neil was feeding me while I was lying flat on my back just so that I had something to eat and when I needed the toilet he would physically carry me while I was screaming in pain, and he did that because he loves me but that was never how I wanted our married life to be. We are still a married couple but now we can be a ‘normal’ married couple again.”

“There was a point where I was getting up in the morning, going to work, and then going to bed. But now with Liggy, I feel like I have a life again.”
– Nicki, partnered with canine partner Liggy

With Liggy helping her with daily tasks, Nicki now has more energy to do the things she finds enjoyable and to spend more time with her family.

International Assistance Dog Awareness Week was created to recognise all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs across the world and runs from Sunday 1 August to Saturday 7 August 2021.

Canine Partners relies on donations and legacies to fund the creation of our life-changing partnerships, which transform the lives of not only their human partner but the lives of their family and community too.

Visit caninepartners.org.uk/our-impact to read more life-changing stories and find out how our work impacts the lives of disabled people, their families and society.

*95% out of 272 respondents to Canine Partners’ 2020 User Voice Survey.