Alison's Visit to Canine Partners

I first heard about Canine Partners on Radio 2 last November and as we were looking for a charity to support for our forthcoming trip I thought they would be a worthwhile candidate. Then a client of mine, a budding 3 day event rider, very sadly contracted meningitis which devastatingly for her resulted in blood poisoning and the amputation of her lower legs and ends of her fingers. This unfortunate change of her circumstance confirmed our decision to sponsor this charity with its wonderful assistance dogs. I found out on my visit today that another lady who had suffered the same terrible disease but had both lower arms amputated as well as her legs, now has a canine partner who has helped her regain her independence.

We were invited to an open day at the principal training centre at Heyshott just south of Midhurst in West Sussex. Unfortunately Tony had to work but I went along to meet a variety of dogs and their partners and to learn more about the skills that transform people’s lives and sometimes even save them. Once fully trained these amazing dogs respond to over 100 different commands which include fetching the phone, opening the washing machine filling and emptying it, opening doors, drawers and cupboards, dressing and undressing, food shopping, pressing pedestrian crossing buttons etc, etc. They even go to the loo on command!!

I met Bernard Wallis and Jinx, his golden retriever partner of 8 years:

Bernard Wallis and Jinx

Some dogs, and Jinx is one of them, have gone beyond their training and have got vital help for their partner when an accident has befallen them. Bernard told us how much having Jinx meant to him, not only in performing the many tasks he was trained to do, but also in getting people talking who would otherwise ignore him because of his disability. Shopping that used to take him 30 mins can now take up to two and a half hours because so many people stop and talk to them both!!

Isadora is just 11 weeks old and 3 weeks into her puppy training. She is a black Poodle and though most of the dogs used are Retrievers or Labradors, a percentage are Poodle’s and Poodle crosses, trained and placed with partners who have allergies to moulting coats. This was of great interest to me as I am asthmatic with dogs on the long list of things I’m allergic to! Isadora is pictured with Xyla, a four yr old display Retriever:

We asked if we could sponsor a puppy right through training to graduation but at Canine Partners suggestion, we will now sponsor a ‘class’ because there is a small percentage who don’t graduate mainly due to ill health or unsuitability and it would be very disappointing to sponsor a puppy who didn’t make it. I thought Izzy was adorable so as new recruits we’re hoping to sponsor the ‘I’ class which means raising between £7000 and £8000! A tall order but a very worthwhile challenge! The ‘I ‘class will be going into advanced training next March when they are 14 months old. After 3 to 6 months successful dogs will graduate and be placed with matched human partners for a final 2 weeks of training to get used to each other before starting their new life together.