Eileen & Canine Partners Assistance Dog "Sailor"

When I was 17, I joined the Army. I wanted to travel and have a career so this seemed like the perfect option. I did my basic training with the Woman’s Royal Army Corps and then joined the Royal Signals and trained to be a data telegraphist and later a cipher operator.

For the next 15 years, I got to see the world. I had tours in Germany, Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Hong Kong, and visited Greece, Australia, India and the Philippines during various postings. I was even lucky enough to spend five months in New Zealand on an exchange programme. It was a nice job. I really enjoyed my life in the Army.

Then, when I was 32, I became very ill. I’d been having small attacks on and off, and not feeling well in general, but I just put it down to bouts of flu or being tired. I didn’t want to think there might be something wrong with my body.

I was eventually diagnosed with Stiffman’s syndrome. I’m not sure what caused it, but research shows it has something to do with a chemical imbalance. My brain scrambles messages to my muscles which has an affect on my breathing and limb movements.

Things went from bad to worse. I spent five and a half years in a military hospital, but it was clear I wasn’t going to get better. Because of my disability, I couldn’t return to the Army and I was discharged in 1985 when I was a warrant officer.

While some people who find themselves in a wheelchair and requiring 24-hour care might look back on their life and possibly regret not having done more, I had no regrets. I’d spent 15 great years travelling the world with the Army. I’d learnt to be a sea canoeist and also strapped to the outside of a helicopter - how many people could say they’d done that?’

The next challenge in my life was coping with a disability.

For the next 14½ years, I became a resident at a hospital in Surrey. People aren’t expected to leave this hospital, but I was determined that I was going to get out of there one day – and not feet first! I wanted to live in a house with a carer and had to fight quite hard to achieve this, but in 2003, I left that hospital and moved into my bungalow in Shepherd’s Bush.

While I’d been in hospital, I’d seen a demonstration given by Canine Partners. My sister had been visiting and was taking me around on a make-shift trolley when we saw this woman and some dogs in a room. We were invited in to see what was going on. We watched in amazement as these dogs picked up things from the floor, opened doors and took off people’s hats and scarves. That was it – I knew then that I wanted one.

But I didn’t think anyone would give a dog like that to me as I was lying completely flat on a trolley. But I applied and went through all the assessments and took part in the training sessions and was eventually matched with Sailor. I hadn’t actually done much work with him, so I was a little surprised when he was placed in front on me, but he looked like quite a nice boy.

Within two days, we’d formed a strong bond. He’s so affectionate, but also quite crazy, a real comedian. He always wants to play with his blanket and loves lying on his back with his legs in the air. He’s a little crackers, so I think we’re a good match.

As well as being a funny playmate, Sailor’s a good helper. In the mornings, when I’m in the shower, he goes and picks out her underwear from the drawer. At night, he helps me get undressed and takes my shoes off. He’s even been known to bring my nightie that’s been laid out on the bed over to me.

When we’re at the shops, he hands over my purse to the cashier at the til and returns it to me when the money’s been taken and when I can’t get something from a shelf, Sailor is right there to get it for me. Sometimes you can feel useless having to ask a carer to do something over and over again. But with Sailor, it’s totally different. He is happy to do it! He doesn’t even have to be in the room to know when I’ve dropped my glasses – he hears them fall and goes in to get them for me. When he hears the post arrive, he goes out to get it and brings it to me. And It doesn’t have to be given a command to get something. One time, he came over to me with a strawberry in his mouth that he’d picked from a bush in the garden. There wasn’t a mark on it - even the green crown was still intact.

Having Sailor in my life has made me less reliant on carers and helped me to feel more independent. He has also helped me with my physio. One day I decided I was going to groom him. Using a hoist, I managed to lower myself on the floor and do just that. It was the first time I’d been on the floor for 22 years. I learned ways to wiggle myself around so I could do his whole body. It was excellent exercise for me.

Thanks to Sailor, I have stronger arms, too. I used to throw a ball back and forth with my carer, which was OK, but it’s so much more enjoyable to do with Sailor. In fact, most things are more enjoyable to do with Sailor. He has given me a life. It feels like I’ve always had him and I couldn’t bear not to be with him. He gives me a reason to get up in the morning.

People often have a fear of approaching people in wheelchairs, but because I have Sailor, they’re always coming up to us to have a chat. One woman even said she didn’t feel sorry for me because I had such a lovely dog. And she’s right – Sailor’s amazing! He may not have pulled me from a burning building, but he has saved my life in so many other ways.

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