VERLIN COMPLETES ME
Deputy headteacher Fiona Airey has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a hereditary condition which impairs the connective tissues which support ligaments, bones, internal organs and other parts of our bodies.
“Daily life brings constant pain and even simple things can present a challenge – just using a door handle can result in a partially dislocated wrist,” explains Fiona. “I applied for an assistance dog from Canine Partners and went through a series of detailed assessments. Around 18 months later I was matched with Verlin, a black Labrador.
“Verlin has been with me for almost four years now. The moment he hears the alarm in the morning, he jumps up and collect my slippers for me. Throughout the day he’ll pick up anything I have dropped on the floor – my stick, socks, clothes, car keys, pens, notes, even drawing pins – and he’ll bring any clothes I need to me. He collects items posted through the door, he brings the phone to me when it rings and he fills and empties the washing machine. He comes with me to work too; both teachers and children love him.
“He always walks on my left-hand side as I don’t manage to judge my body space on that side very well, so I sometimes bump into walls or catch my shoulder and dislocate it. Verlin protects my side, giving me that extra space to be safe in.
“He can detect rising pain levels when I have stood or sat in one position for any length of time and he’ll nudge me to tell me to move. If I am lying down, he will put his spine against my spine to give me extra support and he’ll sometimes lie over my leg if it is painful.”
If I’m I m lying down he puts his spine against mine
“We have plenty of fun too, as he can be very cheeky. If I am sitting chatting to someone and he hasn’t had much attention, he will go and get things out of the bin to give to me or he’ll bring something out of someone’s bag, because he knows he’ll get a laugh. Or he’ll poke his head through the clothes in a shop as if to say, ‘Look at me, I’m really funny!’
“Verlin is not only a real character but also a phenomenal, life-changing soul. We have formed an incredible bond. He is more than just part of me. He completes me.” WWW.CANINEPARTNERS.ORG.UK 08456 580 480