Four-legged therapy eases Duncan’s pain
ASOMERSET man has revealed the life-changing impact his assistance dog has had on his life.
Duncan DeLooze, 51, from Wells, has suffered with chronic pain for most of his life and now uses a wheelchair and crutches to help him get around.
He received several stomach operations as a teenager, which caused back problems and he also suffers from shoulder and wrist injuries.
Mr DeLooze has a rare condition called ‘hemiplegic’ migraine which mimics a stroke and can cause seizures.
He also has fibromyalgia and, after a bad fall some 15 years ago, he now has chronic nerve damage to his groin and legs.
His migraines can cause seizures which leave him unable to speak or swallow and he can have as many as 20 to 25 seizures a month, which leave him paralysed for a few hours to a couple of days.
In rare cases these attacks can be life threatening if his tongue is affected. He also has arthritis and PTSD after experiencing a childhood trauma, and struggles with depression.
Mr DeLooze decided to get an assistance dog after he saw a news item on TV about a UK charity, called Dogs for Good. He applied and a year later was matched with a black labrador called Gibson.
He said: “Quite often before I’ve even said the words ‘fetch my meds’, Gibson’s halfway there already. I then encourage him by telling him to ‘fetch meds bag’ and he’s back in a flash with it.
“The earlier I get my meds the better, as this can stop the hemiplegic migraine from happening. Gibson’s got my medication dozens of time to prevent me having an attack.
“Gibson also has an incredible amount of empathy for me; he makes my life calmer and more bearable. It’s amazing how just the act of being with him, cuddling and stroking him, can reduce my pain levels.
“At the beginning I was only thinking of having a dog to help me with my physical needs but he helps just as much mentally. I’ve gone from existing to living.”
Mr DeLooze regularly collapses in the house with pain and within seconds Gibson’s right by his side. He said: “I must make a slight sound or a different vibe comes from my body and Gibson’s right there next to me.
“The less I have to move around and bend and twist, the less pain I have. When you live with chronic pain it also affects your mental health a lot, it wears you down being in pain all the time.”
Before Gibson arrived Mr DeLooze didn’t like leaving the house alone because he was worried about having an attack in public.
He said: “Now I have Gibson next to me, looking after me, I feel much safer. When I’m having a good day we go into town and go round the stores, up the high street and sit outside the cathedral, which is as close to a ‘normal’ day as I could ever get.
“I feel calmer and safer when Gibson’s with me; he’s helped my mental health tremendously.
“With depression you can detach from what’s going on around you and when I do that, Gibson nudges me to bring me back to the present so that I focus better. Also, if I’m having anxiety, his presence calms me down and relaxes me.”
Dogs for Good creates life-changing differences for people living with a wide range of disabilities and conditions including autism, physical disabilities, dementia and learning disabilities, through the help of a specially trained dog.
The charity’s assistance and community dogs enable people to live more independently.
Jane Pawling, Dogs for Good instructor, said: “Gibson is a clever boy who loves to help.”