Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LING HOUNDS
ham’s NEC. Lead dog handler y has witnessed children rom sedation to the presence gs. She’s also seen, like Oscar, smiles from patients and chiling their first steps as part of ation thanks to the pooches. ogs escort children to theatre te anxiety, provide distraction undergoing procedures and and-greets to youngsters and in the hospital. The amazing animals also provide support to staff. Lyndsey says: “What Leo loves is to get to know a patient. I knew nothing of Oscar’s diagnosis or condition and it was suggested I should introduce the dog to him.
“If we can give them that little bit of magic to cling on to then that’s really great. That smile meant a lot to everybody. It’s all about keeping the child with a positive thought process. Leo will trot in like he owns the place. The dogs come in and they are friendly faces. They’re not there to persuade or cajole, they’re dogs.
“We’re the bridge between the healthcare team and the child.” Vote for your favourites at: www.crufts.org.uk/whats-on/ friends-for-life
Dog handler PC Louise Mcmullen and Wolfie the German shepherd were pursuing armed robbers when their vehicle crashed in November 2018.
The pair were seriously injured but Louise dragged herself and Wolfie out of the flames. She says: “We’ve gone through traumatic event.”
Wolfie retired with PTSD and now lives with her.
Jovi the hearing dog has completely transformed 29-year-old teacher Graham Sage’s life.
Over five years, Graham, of Oxon, has gone from moderate hearing loss to being severe to profound.
Charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People paired him with the cocker spaniel who helps at school and at home. He says: “Jovi make me feel safer.”
Sean Laidlaw, 32, was suffering from PTSD when he pulled Barrie the crossbreed from the rubble of a bombed school in Syria in February 2018.
That May the bomb disposal expert with the Royal Engineers returned home but they were soon reunited. He says: “It may come across that I saved Barrie’s life, but she saved mine.”
When Hayley Byrne-ingle was 17, her older sister took her own life three days before turning 22.
But her dog Ellie became the only reason she got up in the morning and helped to encourage her to go to activities, which made her socialise.
She says: “Ellie is my life, she’s my rock. I probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her.”