Puppy Dog Hotel™ are pleased to help promote and support UK Assistance Dog Charities
Dogs for the Disabled - What we do
Pet owners are often reported as saying that their dog brings far more than just an excuse for a walk in the park. Many people find that their dog brings huge emotional and physical benefits, improving their fitness, relieving stress and helping as a social icebreaker.
The evidence goes beyond just anecdotes, with research finding that dogs really do bring many positive benefits to our lives. For people with disabilities that effect can be much greater. 
Dogs for the Disabled is a pioneering charity that trains assistance dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities, and families with a child with autism.
Through practical tasks our dogs offer freedom and independence, but in addition an assistance dog becomes a reason to go out, giving a new found confidence that opens doors to fresh opportunities including friendships, hobbies, education and even careers.
The partnerships we create between people with disabilities and dogs are life-changing.
Phil Day and Noah
Phil Day had a job that many wouldn’t have the head for; he was a scaffolder, working on building sites many feet up in the air. One day, his worst nightmare came true and a steel structure collapsed leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
“When I first had my accident I lacked a lot of confidence. I went from being very active to not being able to do simple things like pick up my keys or even the morning post.
“Luckily, a friend put me in touch with Dogs for the Disabled and they partnered with me with Angus, a great, big golden retriever. Since then, I can honestly say I never really looked back. I took him everywhere with me – he gave me back my independence; I never worried that I’d need someone else to help me when he was around.”
Sadly, Angus died in June 2006 but today Phil is partnered with Noah, a black Labrador. “Noah is very different to Angus, but I wouldn’t be without an assistance dog now. They help on so many different levels from acting as a confidence booster or helping break the ice in new situations, to assisting me with the things I once took for granted. Noah has helped me make the best of my situation, I can look forward now to what the future has in store.”
Zoe and Hatti
When Zoe talks about her dog Hatti, her face could literally light up a room. Zoe is thirteen and was born with Achondraplasia which affected the growth of her limbs. In 2006, Zoe became paralysed from the chest down as a result of an operation on her spine. Hatti, a friendly and enthusiastic chocolate Labrador has given Zoe the friend and helper she so desperately needed.
Says Zoe, “Hatti is my best friend, she’s just fun to be around – I think she makes me laugh every day, but just knowing that she’s there has helped me feel better again. I used to be scared to be on my own. So scared, I wouldn’t even spend time in my own bedroom.”
“Hatti has changed all that, she’s very clever and I know that if I need anything she’ll be there to help me. When I applied to Dogs for the Disabled I remember asking to have a dog to give me companionship and friendship. I wanted a dog of my own to help not just me but my whole family. That’s exactly what Hatti’s done. She can pick things up for me so my Mum doesn’t always need to be around. Most of all she makes me feel safe– if I need her to she can get my Mum in seconds – even if it’s the middle of the night.”
Zoe’s mum Helen agrees: “The longer Zoe and Hatti are together the more Zoe’s confidence grows. She’s becoming more independent all the time – I’m really proud of what they’ve achieved and can’t thank Dogs for the Disabled enough for what they’ve given us.”
William and Spencer
William Smith was just three years old when he was partnered with his dog, a golden retriever called Spencer, becoming the youngest children’s team the charity has trained.
William had been diagnosed with classic autism just after his second birthday, and his family worked hard to search for things that might assist his social development and address William’s major fear of leaving his pushchair when going out and about.
William’s father Lee explains just how life has changed: “You would be amazed at the difference that Spencer has made to all our lives, but especially William’s. Spencer has brought order and safety to the world outside our house as well as confidence and fun.”
As an autism assistance dog Spencer has received specialist training which allows him to go into shops and other public places. Lee also attended a two-week training course and continued to receive back up training at home until the team had fully bonded. William is discreetly attached to Spencer and holds a handle on a special blue jacket worn by Spencer while Lee instructs Spencer via a lead and simple directions.
“The practical side of an assistance dog has been great as William tends to do what Spencer does rather than what I say!” explains Lee. “I have to ask Spencer to sit at kerb and if Spencer sits, William is happy to wait and amazingly no more bolting. William will now sit in a coffee shop quite happily and we’ve even been able to get rid of the pushchair – so happy is William to walk anywhere if Spencer is there too. William will only call him “Big Doggy”, but Spencer doesn’t seem to mind.”
Spencer has also helped the family’s daily routine, Lee explains: “If the dog stays at the dinner table so does William, so meals times have become quieter and usually in one place now. If the dog goes upstairs at bath time, William will follow, that’s saved me an hour of previous negotiations. Family walks on a Sunday in the woods have become a hobby, previously not an option.”
“While William is Spencer’s number one fan, I’ve become a big fan of Dogs for the Disabled and the work they are doing to help. I think it’s safe to say, ‘Big Doggy’ is the best thing that’s happened to William and our family in a long time.”
How you can get involved
How you can get involved
If you’d like to support Dogs for the Disabled then there are many ways you could get involved:
- Make a donation
- Sponsor a puppy
- Volunteer for us (we’re based in Banbury but also have offices in Wakefield and Bristol)
- Take part in an overseas challenge
- General fundraising
- Attend a Visitor Morning
Please visit our website for details on all of the above and more!
Dogs for the Disabled
The Frances Hay Centre, Blacklocks Hill, Banbury, Oxon OX17 2BS
01295 252 600
info@dogsforthedisabled.org
www.dogsforthedisabled.org
Puppy Dog Hotel™ are pleased to help promote and support UK Assistance Dog Charities
PLEASE consider helping this superb charity by offering your services in some way or by making a donation...even small amounts can make a huge difference. Thank you.
