Kate & Canine Partner "Byron"

 

Before having Byron I hadn’t had the confidence to go into town on my own in my power chair alone for a few years.  This was the result of me being used as football target practise by a group of abusive teenagers whilst I walked into town.

My parents who are in their 80’s went to the local shops for me and visited the weekly market and did my banking business.  Now I have Byron we walk into town twice a week and I do the shopping and banking for my parents. 

The best bit of all was when Byron jumped up to activate the switch to open the door to the building society.  A group of teenagers stood watching in the street open mouthed.  They waited until we came out of the building society then came over and asked me lots of questions and proceeded to tell me how cool we were.

My medical condition means my joints dislocate very easily.  For example if I bend down to pick something off the floor my shoulder tends to drop out of joint resulting in pain.  My shoulder dislocations have reduced from several a day to – none at all.  That is because I have a new shadow called Byron.

Wherever I go in the house he is always a couple of steps behind ready to pick up anything I drop.  He doesn’t even have to be asked to do it now – he just does it automatically.  He’ll pick up anything from my crutches down to something as small as a penny.  His tail wags the whole time and he keeps an eye out for the treat that he knows will follow.

Shopping has become a totally different experience for me.  In the past people wouldn’t talk to me and would avoid eye contact and I felt invisible nearly all the time.  Now people notice us and they are keen talk to me about my life with Byron.  The fact that they want to chat to me makes me feel valued and I no longer feel like the invisible woman!

My husband Stuart has peace of mind when he is at work since he knows that Byron can fetch the phone for me if I should have a fall.

In summary, the differences to our family that being in a Canine Partnership with Byron has made are:

Before Byron  I never went out independently
With Byron  I go out every day

Before Byron  I was used as football target practise
With Byron  I am cool

Before Byron  I dislocated joints daily
With Byron  No dislocations at all and therefore reduced pain

Before Byron  Hardly anyone spoke to me when I went out
With Byron  Lots of people stop to talk...sometimes at great length!

Before Byron   My elderly parents did my shopping
With Byron  I do their shopping

Before Byron  I felt unmotivated and frequently frustrated with life
With Byron  I have a new lease of life and a positive reason to get up each morning

 

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