‘My dog warns me if I’m going to faint’

Katie Purcell, 27, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire

I’ve had Archie for less than two years, and I have no idea how I coped without him. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always experienced blackouts. But when I hit 16, they increased from once or twice a year to about 10 times a day. I ended up visiting A&E continuously with various broken bones.

At first, I thought I was just clumsy. But after I passed out in a school choir rehearsal, doctors discovered I was suffering from a collection of conditions. These made my heart rate rise and fall when I sat down or stood up, causing me to pass out.

I was also diagnosed with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, which means my bones are prone to dislocation.

I wanted to carry on as normally as possible, so I went to Leeds University and met my partner, James, now 29. But despite my determination, nothing could stop my blackouts.

Over the years, I broke every bone in my body. I was battered and bruised – and my confidence wasn’t much better.

My mum heard about Medical Detection Dogs, who can help people who are prone to blackouts and, finally, I had some hope.

I went to an open day in July 2015, and they vowed to help if they could.

By January 2016, they had a dog for me – Archie, a Labrador. He was the friendliest dog I’d ever met, and even the charity agreed we seemed to click.

In our first two days together, he alerted me seven times that I was going to pass out, by blocking me from walking any further and giving me the chance to sit down.

In our first year, he alerted me to more than 700 blackouts.

He’s my top dog! l

For more info on Medical Detection Dogs, visit medical detectiondogs.org.uk