Canine Partner "Zara" with Kate

For Kate Dowding, the sky’s the limit when it comes to what she can do with her Canine Partner Zara by her side.

Kate Dowding, from Christchurch, Dorset, has been with her Canine Partner, Zara. since December 2006. During that time, the Labrador has lifted her spirits and given her a lot of independence that she never thought she’d ever have.

Kate suffers from Systemic Still’s disease, a form of Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), as well as osteoporosis (soft bones) and scoliosis (curved spine). She has limited use of her arms and legs and since the age of seven, has been virtually confined to a wheelchair. Despite this, she has always attended her local schools and gone through mainstream education, and while her condition stopped her from taking part in PE, it never prevented her from excelling in her studies.

It was while she was attending the University of Southampton that she first had the idea to get a Canine Partner. She was studying law at the time and had to take a break from her course as she underwent hip surgery. "I wasn't allowed to put any weight on my hip for six weeks, so it was impossible to go to uni," Kate explains. "I was feeling pretty depressed and knew I had to do something."

She’d seen Cheryl and Orca, an assistance dog trained by the charity Canine Partners, on a TV show about heroic animals. Orca had saved Cheryl’s life when the wheelchair Cheryl was in hit a rock and fell down a ditch. It was Orca who went for help and got the rescue services to the scene. "I didn’t even know there were dogs trained to assist people with disabilities," Kate says. It got her to thinking that perhaps she could benefit from having such a dog in her life. After going through the Canine Partners application procedures, Kate was eventually matched with Zara. During her training, she worked with several dogs but Zara was the best one for her. "Zara was very quiet," Kate says. "I remember grooming her and thinking how gentle and sweet she was. I also worked with her brother and sister, but they were a bit more boisterous. Zara’s fitted in so well at university. When I’m in class, after saying hello to the lecturer, she just went to sleep."

As well as being a devoted companion and great company, Zara also helps Kate with many everyday tasks. At home, she picks things up from the floor and gets the washing out of the machine and hands it to Kate. At night, she helps her undress by pulling her trousers and socks off. When they’re out, she presses buttons for lifts, crossings and automatic doors, and when they go to the shops, Zara gets items off the shelves that Kate can’t reach. Thanks to Zara, Kate can now go shopping without her father, which is something she didn’t have the confidence to do for many years. Since her mother passed away in 2002, Kate’s father has been her main carer. "Before I was partnered with Zara, I was very dependant on my dad,’" Kate says. "This lack of independence often made me feel depressed and I had no self-confidence. However, since Zara has been with me, I am more cheerful and enjoy life, and I have confidence in myself."

Kate graduated with a law degree from the University of Southampton in June 2008. While she was there, she wrote for the Student Law Magazine and is now chairwoman of the Accessibility Sub-Group for her local council. In September this year, she’s signed up to do a legal practice course at Bournemouth University, and in 2010, starts a two-year training contract at a law firm. Last summer (2008), she spent two weeks at the same firm, doing work experience. "Zara came into work with me every day,’ Kate says. ‘She was a big hit with everyone - they all fell in love with her. I think she may have helped me get the contract." Kate is also currently a trainee pilot. She is taking lessons at a flying school for the disabled and has already logged four hours in the sky. The plane is a two-seater, so there is only enough room for Kate and her instructor - Zara stays in the clubhouse with Kate’s father. "Even though I’m only gone for an hour, I think Zara does miss me," Kate says. "She always jumps up and gives my face a good wash as soon as Dad brings her and my wheelchair over to the plane when we've landed!"

There’s still a lot of flying time that Kate has to do before she’s qualified, and she’s also learning theory for the required exams. In the meantime, while she’s on the ground, she and Zara are looking forward to returning to university – and anything else that comes their way.

"To say that Canine Partners and Zara have changed my life is an understatement,’"Kate adds. "All I can say is, whatever comes next, bring it on – we’re ready!"

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