The Scottish Mail on Sunday - You
DOGS TO THE RESCUE
More than 7,000 disabled people in the UK rely on an assistance dog
VISION LOSS ASSISTANCE
Guide dogs can help their blind or visually impaired owner walk around and use public transport independently and safely. They are taught to avoid obstacles and stop at kerbs, as well as find doors and seats. guidedogs.org.uk
‘WHEN SHE SENSES MY HEALTH DETERIORATING SHE WILL NUDGE OR JUMP AT ME’
HEARING LOSS ASSISTANCE
A hearing dog alerts their owner to sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks, fire alarms and smoke alarms, either leading them towards or away from the noise. hearingdogs.org.uk
SEIZURE ALERTS
While some seizure-alert dogs can recognise early warning signs, others respond to epileptic seizures by calling for help, moving their owners away from danger and positioning themselves to break the fall. supportdogs.org.uk
DISABILITY SUPPORT
These dogs can carry out tasks tailored to their owner’s individual needs, such as dressing and undressing, opening and closing doors, picking up objects or pressing buttons. supportdogs.org.uk
AUTISM ASSISTANCE
Autism assistance dogs can help their human companion navigate stressful social settings and reduce behavioural outbursts, while providing comfort and companionship. supportdogs.org.uk
DIABETIC ASSISTANCE
Dogs are scent trained to alert handlers to a potentially dangerous drop in sugar levels. medicaldetectiondogs.co.uk when we walked in. I was speechless with joy.’ On Christmas Eve, they brought Sparrow back to their home in Sunbury-on-thames.
‘She is constantly scanning me to read the subtle signs that my body gives off,’ Libbi explains. ‘When she senses my health deteriorating [changes in heart rate, breathing and cortisol levels], she will nudge or jump at me to tell me to sit before I fall, and then lie across my legs in a grounding technique called deep pressure therapy to help me recover. This helps the blood pump better around my body and calms the physiological symptoms of panic and anxiety.
‘If I’m not aware an attack is developing, she will paw at me or lick my hand, and I know I need to manage it before it becomes an emergency. Sparrow is also trained to take a silicone band I wear on my wrist to indicate I need help if I’ve collapsed or fainted. She will show it to Irving, or anyone else at home, and they then know to follow her to find me.’
Sparrow can also help empty the washing machine, pick up dropped items and close cupboards on command, meaning Libbi doesn’t have to bend down, an action that can trigger fainting episodes. ‘I never used to be able to go out alone. Now, thanks to Sparrow, I have independence.’
Two years on, the bond between them has deepened: Libbi only needs to make a flicker of a movement for the dog to understand what is needed of her. In turn, Sparrow alerts Libbi to when she is overdoing things. She is her constant companion.
Libbi admits that she gets frustrated when people want to pet Sparrow even though she’s wearing a vest showing she is an assistance dog. The problem, explains Libbi, is that she needs Sparrow to focus on her, and interactions with other people distract her. ‘We don’t have enough awareness of assistance dogs,’ she says.
Libbi would also like to see more understanding of ME and the devastating effect it can have on the UK’S estimated 250,000 sufferers. ‘Chronic illness is complex and the impact is far-reaching,’ Libbi says. ‘My entire identity is bound up in an invisible illness that cloaks every area of my life. But Sparrow has enabled me to embrace the positives. She is my shadow, keeping me safe.’
Go to assistancedogs.org.uk and meassociation.org.uk for more information