Vanessa was partnered with canine partner Valencia, affectionately known as Valley, in August 2018. This is her story.

When people talk about the independence an assistance dog brings, many imagine the idea of getting out of your home and doing things. Of course this is true, but to me it is also about independence and security in my home. I remember the first time my son came over after I brought Valley home and as he left he told me how good it was to know that he wasn’t leaving me on my own anymore as he knows she is with me.

Life before Valley was quite lonely as I lived alone. The companionship she gives me is incredible. The current COVID-19 pandemic has really highlighted how important Valley is to me, as because of my condition I am shielding and I will not be able to see other people for at least 12 weeks.

What Valencia can do

Valley can do so much for me. She will get my medical bag, my emergency Lucozade and my mobile at times when I have a fall or generally feel unwell. When she has brought them to me, she will lay beside me until I either feel better or someone comes. It is a great reassurance for me and my family as I know I am safe with her there.

At bedtime she will help me get changed, put my legs into bed and then tug the duvet across me until I am tucked in. She loves to help me with the washing – taking the clothes out the washing machine and tugging a basket around the house so I can put the clothes on the radiators. Her tail wags the whole time, not just when she gets a reward for her work, as she loves working!

Adapting to life during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a lot of new challenges. For example, usually when I get a food delivery the delivery driver will bring my shopping into the house and help me with it as I can’t carry much on my own.  Valley and I have found a way around that by adapting our usual washing routine – she will now take the washing basket to the front door then put a few items in the basket before tugging it back into the kitchen where she hands the items to me so I can put them away. We then repeat this until all of the food shopping is away. Valley has also learnt to help me change the bed, as I usually rely on my son to come and help me do this.

One of our favourite times together is when we go for off-lead runs. Valley gets to enjoy herself with a good run around (and zoomies!) and we will also practice commands such as wait, sit, down and recalls. I used to be a dancer and an athlete, so watching Valley run feels like she is an extension of me and like I am running with her. We both can’t wait for some good off-lead time when this crisis is over, but we are having some fun in the garden in the meantime. I am walking Valley myself but at very quiet times and with a mask on, luckily it is quiet around where I live so I don’t go near other people. I also know Canine Partners is there to provide support and give advice if I wasn’t able to do this myself.

Life with Valencia

Since having her I have become much more independent and she has allowed me to try things that I might not have felt up to doing before, as I know Valley is always by my side no matter what. During this pandemic no one is able to come and help me, so Valley is even more vital in my day-to-day life. My condition means I get sudden blood pressure drops, which are really scary and just a few days into lockdown I had a bad episode in my garden. I called to Valley who immediately fetched my drink and inhaler and, when I was strong enough to move she stayed right by my side until we were back by the sofa where she lifted my legs up so I could lie down. She was like a real paramedic. Normally my family would visit after something like this but at the moment of course this isn’t possible. I am so fortunate to have Valley and now, more than ever, she really is my lifeline. She makes me feel so safe and secure and I just can’t imagine what this crisis would be like for me if I didn’t have her.

The pandemic has really highlighted how important having a canine partner is for security, safety, and to ease the feeling of vulnerability. Prior to having Valley if I felt unsteady or unsafe I would have remained in bed, but since having her I know if I feel bad she will fetch me anything I need such as my medications, mobile phone and walking stick before lying down beside me and snuggling up.

Everyday is amazing with Valley. It always starts with a smile and a giggle as she wakes me up by bringing one of her favourite toys to me, and then each day always ends with a smile as she tucks me into bed. I don’t think people realise how important these amazing dogs are at times like this. The pandemic has brought attention to everyone’s own vulnerabilities and it has shocked and unsettled a lot of people. However, it’s a situation most people with a physical disability, like me, are in before this crisis. It really highlights how important our canine partner assistance dogs are to us to allow us to continue to live our lives when we are isolated.

Canine Partners means so much to me. They have given me a new chance at life by giving me Valley and I will always be indebted to them for it. Everyday I know how blessed I am to have her. She is my constant companion, my helper, my best friend and my world. There really are no words to express the depth of love we have for each other. I can truly say where my life stops, Valley completes it.

Our assistance dogs are a lifeline and even more vital in the current crisis.

We know our amazing dogs are a lifeline for our partners and even more so at this difficult time. A donation at this crucial time will help make sure that when this crisis ends, Canine Partners will still be here, able to train amazing dogs to transform lives.

Please click here to donate today and help protect the future of Canine Partners. Your donation will help to make sure our 30th year is not our final year.

Susan was partnered with canine partner Buster in May 2013. This is her story.

When I was 31 years old I decided I needed to make some changes in my life, so I gave up my job of 10 years, moved home with my parents and started my own business, which was very exciting! I started my business in the October and was really enjoying it but by the middle of December I came down with the flu. Throughout my illness I continued to work as it was so near to Christmas I didn’t want to let my clients down. During Christmas I was feeling better, just a little run down, and was thankful for some time off enjoying the festivities.

On January 24 on my day off I went to town with my sister Paula. We enjoyed a hot chocolate and a cake, had a wander around the shops then set off to the supermarket so Paula could do her food shopping, where I was in charge of pushing the trolley. We bickered while we shopped which is quite normal but then all of a sudden I got a pain in my back, which wasn’t at all normal! We carried on shopping but I became more and more uncomfortable and started to feel sick so I left Paula to finish packing her shopping at the checkout and I waited for her in the car. We went home and I took some painkillers which made me feel a little better.

That evening I took some more pain relievers and went to sleep feeling uncomfortable and worrying how I would manage the next day at work. I woke at 4am in a lot of pain and when I tried to get out of bed it felt very strange walking, so from my mobile phone I phoned the house phone to wake up my mum as I felt I couldn’t  even walk to her bedroom. I was in so much pain my mum decided she would take me to the hospital. I shuffled to the car feeling very scared because it all felt so strange. We booked into A & E and waited, luckily it was very quiet so we only waited 45 minutes. The nurse called my name but I couldn’t stand up, so she found two paramedics to pick me up and put me on a trolley.

I couldn’t feel my legs and quickly had several doctors examining me, eventually I saw a neurologist who seemed very concerned and said he would send me to intensive care which was terrifying. The paralysis continued to rise up my body until it stopped just under my bust. I stayed in intensive care for about a week and was in hospital for seven weeks having all sorts of tests and treatments before I was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, which is an autoimmune disease likely to have been triggered by the flu causing my immune system to attack my spinal cord, causing devastating damage.

I left hospital and went into a neurological rehab for three months. I was devastated and so was my family. Everyone was trying to cope with a huge change, friends took over at work for me and family and friends rallied round to try and get through a very difficult time, not knowing if I would recover any feeling. Facing life in a wheelchair seemed so unbelievable and I didn’t think I would be able to face it.

I went home for a few months and life was incredibly hard! I still felt very unwell. I went into Stanmore Spinal Injury Hospital for more rehab which did help a lot, although I still couldn’t come to terms with what had happened.

Meeting Buster

My sister Paula had read about Canine Partners and said I should apply, so we did. I was accepted after the application process and was put on the waiting list, at this point I had been in my wheelchair for two years with very little progress.

I was partnered with black Labrador Buster and went to the Canine Partners Southern Centre for a two week training course which I didn’t want to do as it took me out of my comfort zone, but I really enjoyed it, and Buster was fab!

Life with Buster

I had not been out on my own for two years but Buster had to be walked! I went out for the first time just me and him and it felt great, it still does. I have now had Buster for a while, and he has made a huge change to my life. Buster helps me with lots of things like picking up after me, getting the washing out of the machine, closing the garden doors, and he now helps me with my shopping.

We have just started doing agility together, which we both enjoy and we are looking forward to trying other classes in the future. I’m now able to get out and about just the two of us, meeting new people and enjoying life with a little help from Buster.

What I hadn’t realised was how much he would help with my confidence. Buster brightens up my days. I love him and couldn’t imagine life without him.

Kate was partnered with her second canine partner May in March 2014. This is her story.

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a multi-systemic condition that affects my joints, skin, blood vessels and internal organs, causing chronic pain and fatigue. This is a hereditary condition that affects me every day. In my late twenties my full and busy life as a teacher and musician slipped away little by little over a period of years, until I was unable to go to work or leave the house on your own. I found myself reliant on others to help me to participate in everyday activities and I was unable to carry out basic household jobs. My joints were dislocating on a daily basis, often as I picked something up from the floor or reached out to open a door or post a letter. I was afraid of the future because I knew my condition was likely to continue to deteriorate.

These worries were alleviated when I was matched with my first canine partner, Byron, in 2007. My life changed overnight. I got a lot of my independence back. I suddenly had a purpose again and was no longer invisible to other people. When, after a few years together, I received the news that Byron had arthritis and would have to retire early, I was devastated. I felt bad for him that he was in pain but I also felt worried for myself too. How would I manage without his help and companionship?

Meeting May

A month after getting the news that Byron had to retire, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The following months were a series of operations, daily hospital trips for treatment and fatigue like I have never known. At the end of my treatment when I should have been feeling elated, I was, once again at a really low point in my life – struggling for independence again! When Byron retired, I lost my momentum and motivation. My life felt empty and full of pain as I started to dislocate joints trying to do tasks that Byron had previously done for me.

Then Canine Partners invited me to meet a potential successor dog – a lovely Labrador retriever cross called May. To say I was nervous would be an understatement – how would any dog be able to step into Byron’s paw prints? As we spent time together I began to see May’s potential. She was very steady and I felt safe with her next to me. When I met her again a couple of weeks later I had already fallen in love with her fun-loving nature and her enthusiasm for work and play.

We completed our two-week training course together and after being at home for a couple of weeks, it felt like I’d had May for months as she slotted into my life so well. In our first few weeks together I laughed more than I had ever done before as her true fun-loving character began to shine through.

Life with May

Since being partnered she has learned many new tasks and now provides me with much-needed practical help throughout the day. At home she opens and closes doors, loads and unloads the washing machine, and pulls the washing basket outside. She then hands me the pegs one at a time whilst I hang out the washing. She fetches and carries many different things and will pick up anything that I drop on the floor. This means that my shoulders do not drop out of joint so often and are less painful than they have been for years! May will pick almost anything up – things as small as a paper clip or a coin. When I need to get out of my wheelchair to get into bed or onto the settee, May stands steady so that I can put some of my weight through her whilst I transfer. This gives me stability and makes me less likely to fall. She is like my shadow, always there willing and ready to help.

May often predicts what I want or need before I ask her to do things. When we go up to bed, she helps me to undress pulling off my clothes very carefully, avoiding any dislocations. She then takes my clothes and puts them into the laundry basket. When we are out in town, May is able to press buttons for pedestrian crossings, a lift or automatic doors. She can post letters and retrieve money from the cash machine. In the supermarket she fetches items off the shelves and puts them in my basket. At the checkout she loads my shopping onto the conveyor belt and passes my purse over to the cashier.

May showed how intuitive she is when I passed out on the floor downstairs late in the evening a few months ago. My husband, Stuart, had already gone up to bed and had no idea of what had happened. I had trained May to go and fetch help from another person when she was asked to, but in this situation I was unconscious and unable to give her any instructions. However, May took herself upstairs and alerted Stuart who came down to help me. May lay close by my side and licked my arm as I regained consciousness – her way of reassuring me I suppose. Both my family and I have great peace of mind knowing that I have a dog who will get help in an emergency.

May diverts my thoughts away from myself, my pain and the worries of the day. This lovely fun-loving dog has taken some of my disability away and has given me freedom. Jobs that were impossible and dreary are now achievable and fun. In the past if I was in pain, I may have stayed in bed all morning but I now get up, carried along by May’s love of life! She is so much more than a dog who gives me practical help: she is by my side constantly, my loyal friend, my security, my doorway to independence and she fills each day with laughter due to her sunny character.

I can now live a more ordinary life thanks to a very extraordinary dog: my canine partner, my amazing girl, May.

Janette was partnered with canine partner Solar in June 2011, after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1992. This is her story.

MS is a condition that affects your brain and your spinal cord, meaning the symptoms vary from person to person. When I was diagnosed, my main symptoms were in my hands, and I wasn’t able to walk very far. It’s a progressive disease, so now I can’t walk at all and I use a wheelchair full-time. I have to be hoisted from my wheelchair as I can’t transfer myself.

Before getting a canine partner, life was really difficult. Before my diagnosis I was able to do everything on my own, but then I suddenly couldn’t. I had a dog of my own at the time, who was getting older, but I still had no confidence to go outside and I needed more and more help as my MS progressed. I hated depending on family members and carers, as it meant I had no control over my life.

Meeting Solar

I discovered Canine Partners when I went to the Cotswolds Show – the charity had a stall there. I spoke to the staff and volunteers on the stall and decided to look into how an assistance dog could help me.

Waiting for a canine partner was hard, as although I still had my own dog at the time, he obviously couldn’t do anything for me physically. However, once I applied for a canine partner it didn’t take long for it all to fall into place. Meeting Solar for the first time was absolutely fantastic. Solar came bounding into the room where I was waiting and jumped up on to my lap. I knew he was the one for me – he’s beautiful. The onsite training course at the Southern Training Centre was great and it was wonderful to finally be able to take Solar home.

Life with Solar

After Solar, everything seemed to just open out for me. I am much more confident about going out, and there’s more of a reason to go out too. I love that people come up and ask me about him and what he does for me – he’s a conversation starter. People want to come up and talk to you when you’ve got a dog, which makes me so much more confident about going out.

Solar can open doors, closes doors, and pick things up. He can get me help when I need it; either by the name of a person or by finding a person nearby. Once I was stuck in a field and he barked until he drew the attention of a group of ramblers, who then came to help me.

Another time Solar found a lady who then dialled 999, and I ended up in the local paper! He can also take things out of the washing machine, he’ll bring me the post, and he’ll bark when someone comes to the door to let me know someone is there. Every mealtime he’ll fetch me my apron and bring it to me. He loves doing task work.

My partner provides a lot of my care and I’ve got carers who come in too, but now I can incorporate Solar into the daily tasks. I can also get Solar to do the little things for me, like picking up the remote control if I drop it, rather than asking a person to help me. He makes me more independent.

Solar is only nine and in my mind I shall be keeping him forever. However, he will be retiring in the next few years and I can’t imagine my life without him. The charity, Canine Partners, is wonderful.

Harriet was partnered with canine partner Petworth in March 2016, giving her back her confidence and the independence to enable her to live life to the full. This is her story.

After my accident I was unable to regain the ability to weight-bear, and have been a full-time wheelchair user ever since. My accident made me feel incredibly low, because I had lost my independence in the blink of an eye. I went from doing things for myself to needing the help of my mum or a carer. I stopped going out on my own, as I was scared of dropping my keys, purse or phone. I became self-conscious, thinking everybody was staring at me in my wheelchair.

I found out about Canine Partners when I attended Crufts several years ago. I remember seeing a demonstration and being amazed at what the dogs could do. I initially put off applying, as I thought I wouldn’t be eligible. Breaking my ankle gave me the push I needed to apply, and now I can say it was the best thing I’ve ever done.

Meeting Petworth

I will never forget the magical phone call I received from an advanced trainer, Chrissie, to say Canine Partners had found a potential match for me. I was so nervous and excited when I went to meet Petworth for the first time. As soon as I laid my eyes on him, I knew he was the dog for me. He was so handsome and looked unusual with his curly coat and long legs.

I attended my onsite training course in March 2016. I couldn’t wait to see Petworth again! I was apprehensive about being away from home for two weeks, but I had my mum for company. Whilst the course was tiring, it was also fabulous getting to know Petworth.

Due to my condition I get fatigued easily, but the trainers were lovely and gave me the time I need with plenty of breaks. I did struggle remembering all the commands at first, but by the end of the course they were second nature. Once the two weeks were complete, it was time to take my new friend home and start our new life together.

Life with Petworth

I have so much more confidence now with Petworth by my side. Thanks to him, I have had the confidence to volunteer. We do a day at KEMP Hospice and a day at our local council. I no longer feel anxious and whilst I would never dream of talking to people before, Petworth is a fabulous conversation starter. The general public are very interested in what he does for me – they usually ask if he’s a Labradoodle!

The tasks Petworth does for me enable me to go out on my own without being fearful. Before I’ve noticed I’ve dropped an item, Petworth is giving it back to me. It doesn’t matter how many times I drop my phone, Petworth is always happy to help. I also require less help from a human carer. I have more independence at home as Petworth opens and closes doors, turns lights on and off, brings me my phone, helps me to remove clothing, tidies up his own toys, and finds my mum if I need any additional help.

I really enjoy going on holiday with Petworth. He loves to go to the beach and paddle in the sea. On one trip, the sand seemed hard enough for me to go on to the beach in my wheelchair – big mistake! I got stuck and the first thing Petworth did was try to dig my chair out of the sand. It was very embarrassing being rescued, but I realised Petworth and I had formed a very strong bond.

I see our future involving many more adventures, lots of cuddles and learning plenty of new tasks. With Petworth in my life my future is much brighter. Things I used to struggle with are now a breeze thanks to my curly companion.

Petworth is more than my canine partner, he is my best friend. He has transformed my life and more importantly given me my life back. I am so thankful to have him in my life. Not a day goes by when he doesn’t make me smile. Petworth gives me a purpose and a reason to get up in the morning.

In 2009, a sudden spinal abscess and onset meningitis almost killed Jane Knights. Against the odds Jane survived, but was left with the realisation that she would never walk again. Jane had to find a way to love life again, and it all began when she was partnered with Damson in 2013. This is her story.

Ten years ago, back in April 2009, I was a busy person. My life revolved around my family, my job as a teacher and my hobbies, which were mainly tennis and gardening. I can still remember the last day at work and the last tennis match.

It all changed forever from one day to the next. I could almost laugh now at the idea that I was in charge of my life because of course it was actually very much in charge of me. A sudden terrible backache caused by a spinal abscess and the onset of meningitis nearly killed me in the space of a few days. My husband was told I was unlikely to survive overnight. But I did, against all the odds.

Three months in hospital fighting infection was followed by another five months in a spinal rehab unit. During this time it became clear that I would never walk again, so I concentrated on adapting to life in a wheelchair and all the difficulties that come with paraplegia. I had lots of positive support from my husband Richard, friends and family, as well as the professional rehabilitation the physios, nurses and Occupational Therapists provided in the unit. But it was a protected environment and I think I became institutionalised.

The reality hit me when I got home. I was now dependent on others for so much and the outside world had become a scary and intimidating place. I found myself immersed in a world of wheelchairs, hoists, carers, access problems and house adaptation problems. There were times of utter despair and desperation. Sometimes, I look back and wonder how I got through it. I suppose you just keep going and the days pass. I would often hide how I felt from friends and family, crying myself to sleep most nights and waking from dreams in which I was always walking and never in a wheelchair.

I have always been an optimist, but I did come near to becoming a glass half empty person, especially after a second terrible blow when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2011.

Meeting Damson

It was September 2011 when we went to the Naidex Independent Living Exhibition in Glasgow. I was still recovering from a mastectomy, had put on 2 stone in weight and had to be persuaded to go.

As soon as we went through the door, however, my eye was caught by a gorgeous black Labrador in a very fetching purple jacket and it wasn’t long before we were watching, in amazement, a demonstration of all his wonderful skills. There and then, I decided to apply for a canine partner and it was the best decision I have ever made.

After waiting very impatiently for almost two years I was delighted and excited to get the phone call in June 2013 that would change my life forever. Meeting Damson was love at first sight – a beautiful Golden Retriever with liquid brown eyes. I couldn’t believe that I was going to be lucky enough to be partnered with such a lovely dog.

During the two weeks of the training course we worked hard. I was frequently exhausted – after all, at 61, I was no spring chicken! But I learnt so much about how to handle and communicate with Damson. Sometimes my head was swimming and I wondered how I would ever remember all the cues and commands. Our wonderful trainer assured us that it would all become second nature in time, and it does. Having said that, Damson and I are always learning more and more as our life together goes on.

Life with Damson

When I look back I realise that I am a different person in so many ways to my pre-Damson self. I used to be self-conscious in social situations so much so that I didn’t want to leave the house, I used to suffer from terrible backache, I used to cry most days and I used to yearn for a ‘normal’ life. How that has changed!

I love going out now with Damson by my side, chatting to everyone who stops to admire my dog, taking the bus into town together, going to the shops and meeting friends for coffee or lunch. We have enjoyed organising coffee mornings to raise funds for Canine Partners, giving a talk about the charity’s work and even featuring on a TV programme on STV! Damson has done all that for me.

In a practical sense, my life has changed – she picks up all the things I drop throughout the day, gets me my phone, opens the door, pulls off my socks and gloves, hands over my purse at the checkout, passes me my gardening tools, and pulls my wheelchair to me. Those are just a few examples!

But just as importantly, Damson coming into my life has given me confidence, independence, fun, hope for the future and lots of unconditional love. I don’t cry every day anymore. I get up looking forward to the day ahead. Damson cares for me but I also have to care for her, and that means my life has purpose. I have energy and enthusiasm just like she does; we feel like a team! And, if I do have a bad day – which like everyone I do – Damson comes and puts her head on my lap, looks at me with those beautiful brown eyes and soon I’m smiling again.

With Damson by my side I have come to terms with my different self and I don’t spend time longing for the way things used to be. Damson has taught me to love life again.

In 2007, Jon Giemza-Pipe was injured while serving in Iraq as a Major in the Royal Artillery. His injury meant that Jon was medically discharged from the forces after 22 years of service. Now, 3 years after leaving the army, Jon talks about his life with a spinal injury and how his canine partner Baxter, and his predecessor Toby, saved his life. This is his story.

Meeting Baxter

One of the problems you have at the beginning is that you mourn the loss of your former life. I was always very outgoing, robust and enjoyed being outside. Suddenly I found that unfortunately being in a wheelchair meant a lot of things became not impossible to do but a lot harder to do. I really did start to isolate myself.

Having had a canine partner dog before, who I sadly lost to illness, I had some ideas of what to expect. I had Toby before for about three years and he saved my life, I’ll be completely honest about that. He completely saved my life. I know it’s one of those phrases that people use a lot, but really in terms of depression and isolation it was a massive thing for me.

Meeting Baxter for the first time was absolutely incredible – he gave me such a buzz. One of the great things about having a canine partner is you end up doing things which you need to do because you’re looking after a dog but it’s also massively beneficial to you. Getting out in the fresh air on a regular basis is not something that if you’ve got some kind of disability you might want to do because you feel it’s too difficult or it’s going to hurt. Baxter has helped me get back into society and start living the life that I’ve now got.

Life with Baxter

There was a real problem with me ending up in a wheelchair – I felt very much separated and that everything was too difficult. With Baxter I don’t think there’s anything I can’t do. It’s nice because all of a sudden I’m not hiding away; I’m actually standing out a bit more. I don’t feel like I need someone to come with me to give me that confidence boost for when I am out and about.

Things like going to London Waterloo Station, which is my idea of hell. I went there on my own in a wheelchair and I felt overwhelmed. I felt like I disappeared into the noise and into the crowd there. But with Baxter, I’ve got something else to concentrate on. I worked him through the crowd and all of sudden I was through the people and hadn’t even noticed it. They’ll move and give you a bit more space – all of a sudden it’s like people realise you’re there.

I am really bad at dropping things – anything from my credit card to my phone to my walking sticks. He’ll pick them up for me, which is brilliant. I’m always dropping my gloves so he must pick them up over five times a day. All these bits and pieces are fantastic, but I think the psychological benefit of having the dog is one of the biggest and most profound.

He’s such a part of me now that whatever I’m going to do will have him involved in it. I can’t see anything that I do in the future not involving him. These dogs are incredible and the tagline ‘Amazing Dogs. Transforming Lives.’  for Canine Partners is not just a tagline. It’s all done with such an air of love and positivity that it’s infectious. I’ve ended up with an absolutely amazing dog who changes my life on a daily basis.

In 2007, David Follett was involved in a traumatic road traffic accident, leaving him paralysed. He was partnered with canine partner Tessie in November 2014 and talks about how she has completed his family. This is his story.

Three weeks after my 18th birthday, I was playing football and as I was crossing the road to retrieve the football I was hit by an oncoming car. I smashed through the windscreen and was flung into the air onto the road. I was then taken to hospital where my injuries became a lot clearer – I had broken my neck and was now paralysed from the chest down, dependent on the use of a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

I knew it wasn’t just going to get better; this was a life changing accident and everything I knew before had now changed. It was a very tough time and coming to terms with my disability was not easy. When I came out of hospital the first few years were all about finding my feet, as I was still rehabilitating by building my strength up as well as my immune system.

I went back to college and finished my A levels and took up a university course. I then tried wheelchair badminton in 2008, as I have always been a very sporty person, and did lots of running before my accident. I really enjoyed the sport and decided to take it up, and it is through badminton that I met my amazing wife and found out more about assistance dogs.

Meeting Tessie

Through badminton I met a friend who had an assistance dog called Noah, and thought what a great idea, especially when he helped her in unfamiliar surroundings. I then contacted Canine Partners and I remember having the phone call saying “we think we have found you a partner”. I was so excited and was told that she was special, as she was being filmed for a TV programme. I couldn’t wait to meet her!

When I first met Tessie I instantly fell in love with her. She was a beautiful looking dog and as I got to know her it was clear it was such a good partnership. The week I spent training with her was great – she just loves to work and is so intelligent.

Whilst away on the training course an incident occurred where I needed to phone an ambulance as I was very unwell. Tessie’s mood was completely different; she knew something was not right with me and was pacing around the room whining, and when Bob (my carer) came back to the room, he phoned an ambulance. I have since taught Tessie to “get help” or “get Bobla”.

Life with Tessie

Tessie loves working for me and 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 Bob if ever I need him for something.

She makes a great companion and it takes the worry away from my parents and my wife – 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.

I am now doing the best I’ve ever done in wheelchair badminton – I’ve been to three international tournaments this year in Dubai, Dublin and just recently the World Championships in Basel, Switzerland. I’ve managed to get to one quarter final in Dublin and the last 16 in the World Championships, which I’m extremely pleased with, as I was one of only four European players. It’s my ambition one day to represent my country at the Paralympics.

Tessie comes with me to training and is good as gold sat by the side of my court. She has got used to shuttles, sports hall noises and children, and sits there beautifully until called upon. She even brings my racket to me and occasionally helps pick up the shuttles, although not the new ones! My current world ranking in the badminton is 18 in the world in singles.

I now have two children – Imogen, who has recently turned two, and Maizy, who is three weeks old. Tessie loves playing with Imogen and thinks it is fun to tug her socks off!

Now I have Tessie, I can’t imagine life without her. She has completed my family.

Nicki has Cauda equine syndrome and essential termor and was partnered with Liggy in November 2017. This is her story.

In April 2012, my family and I had been living in the north of Finland for just over three years. I was teaching there and we had been building our own house. Building was heavy work and none of us had done manual work like that before. In every way, our blood, sweat and tears made up the fabric of that house. However, the damage that was being done to my back, other than occasionally niggling backaches, was yet to be seen.

Over a few days, backache turned to bad sciatica and then, a static shock was the last straw and a disc that had previously been bulging, burst and fell into the cauda equina nerves at the base of my spine, crushing them and causing paralysis and numbness in my left leg. I didn’t know then what I know now about cauda equina syndrome, that I needed urgent surgery to release the nerves, and so, for a variety of reasons, it was eight weeks before I was finally rushed into the operating theatre.

Initially, I thought I would make a full recovery. Surgery certainly helped remove the immediate pain. However, the nerves were permanently damaged, and the base of my spine is still very fragile. Walking, bending, twisting and lifting are all painful and very difficult. Most of the time, I have pain in my back and legs and the amount of movement I do from day to day affects my pain levels.

Around the same time, I had a diagnosis of essential tremor, something I had lived with since childhood. The intensity of my tremor varies from a little embarrassing to making some tasks impossible. It affects my coordination and balance and makes me quite clumsy. So, I drop things a lot but when I drop things, I now struggle to pick them up. That was the main reason I first applied for a canine partner.

Meeting Liggy

Before I met Liggy, I tried to do as much as I could for myself. My husband, Neil was and still is my main carer, and he is always willing to pick things up for me, but I used to get frustrated with myself. Most people are willing to help but I wanted to be able to do these things – things that for most people are so simple – for myself, otherwise I could never feel independent again. But the reality was, I was frequently in pain from bending and twisting.

I remember being asked at my assessment visit what sort of dog I imagined being partnered with. I said I’d like a dog that’s a bit like me – energetic and outgoing, sensitive and caring, a dog with personality and not too perfect. I love the phrase that Canine Partners often say, ‘they are dogs, not robots’. I definitely didn’t want a robot. And also, though I didn’t dare say it, I was secretly hoping and praying for a black Labrador!

It was early October when Liggy and I met for the first time. I’d been told that she was small for a lab, that she was lively and active but settled quickly, so her trainer thought she would do well in my workplace. I can’t explain the connection between us when we first met. I think Liggy wanted me and I wanted her but we’re quite alike and neither of us show very much emotion, so we didn’t let on very much at that first visit. Liggy had just revealed an autumn-related excitement over blowing leaves and when it was windy, she was totally distracted by the leaves and just wanted to play. So the matching day ended with no certainty. Her trainer and one of the managers brought Liggy to my workplace the next week. I went out to meet them in the car park and Liggy nearly pulled the trainer’s arm off to get to me. I knew then we were meant for each other. I think we both had that sense of wanting it to work.

I know her trainer worked really hard on the leaf problem between matching and my onsite training course. Even at onsite training, leaves were a huge focus. But we also learned our tasks and Liggy began to show me the difference she could make in my life. She was so eager to pick up dropped items for me, and this alone would have made every improvement to my life. But she had so much to learn and so many more things she wanted to help me with.

Life with Liggy

Throughout the day, and especially at work, Liggy is fantastic! While I am busy, she lies on her bed and just lets me get on but if I drop something, she jumps up in a split second and retrieves it. She is incredibly dextrous and can pick up a single key, a pencil sharpener and even a 5p piece. The only thing she never gives back is food!

In meetings, she is so well behaved but also very sociable. Equally, she is sensitive to people who are frightened of dogs, and she generally keeps her distance and remains very calm. At home, in the evenings, Liggy is amazing! After dinner, we either go for a walk or do a supermarket shop. She helps with getting items from low shelves. She’s pretty good at that but she cannot accept that I only need one bar of chocolate, insisting on pulling the whole box off the shelf. She obviously knows me well! Her favourite bit though is the checkout, where she lies, squeezed up between my chair and the checkout, shuffling forward every few seconds until we reach the end. She knows that the humans are all talking about her, how good she is, how their dog would never behave so well, and she just makes eye contact with my treat bag.

One of the special tasks that Liggy was taught is to lie on my left leg and cuddle it to warm it up. Even when I’m otherwise warm, my left foot is nearly always freezing cold and in the evening it hurts. Liggy loves to lie on my leg. She shuffles around until we’re both comfy and then settles in for a serious cuddle.

I didn’t think I needed help with undressing until we tried it out. Initially, we just did tugging my coat sleeve but this quickly progressed to other items of clothing and now, one of my favourite parts of the day is when I go to get my pyjamas on and Liggy, with so much love and devotion in her eyes, takes off my jumper, trousers and then socks. The socks, being small enough for her to carry, she pulls off and then runs around the other side of the room and puts in the washing basket. She’s so small, the basket is almost as big as her, but she’s learned to flick her head to make each item fly over the edge and she does it so easily. Wherever we go, she helps take my coat, hoodie and waterproof trousers off and this has prevented further pressure on my back and leaves me with more energy throughout the day.

Like most labs, Liggy loves her food more than anything in the world. However, she has the same sense of respect for our need to eat uninterrupted too. No matter what, when we are eating, she lies quietly on her bed. We eat out quite a lot and never tire of being told how well behaved she is by restaurant staff. In fact, she’s generally a real pleasure to be out and about with. I’ve been quite lucky that, as a wheelchair user, I’ve rarely had some of the negative experiences of being overlooked, ignored and talked over, but I have felt insecure and alone in a world that sometimes doesn’t cater for my needs. Going out with Liggy always guarantees positive attention.