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Hi there, we don't blog much these days due to the access to a laptop, and the app crashes constantly.
But if you want to want to keep up with what we are doing awareness wise, please find us on instagram and facebook

instagram: assistance_dog_meadow

facebook: If Assistance Dogs Could Talk - J

Assistance Dog Day

Briefly before attending the event which nicely coincided with Assistance Dog Day, we went for a lovely walk down by the canal. So picturesque; and ultra jealous that people have this wonderful place right on their doorstep. Its so accessible, great open space, pubs on the canal, exercise....... just one problem they don't seem to like fuel garages around this area to the assistance dog event area - nearly ran out fuel. Was so concerned.

We met at the training centre where they were holding an event for Assistance Dog Day, and My dog met his brother who he hadnt seen since they were 8 weeks old; thats over two years ago!

We met so many lovely people, and had a lovely  day; being part of the Assistance Dog crew is awesome in that way.

Assistance dogs improve the quality of life for countless people who live with disability or illness, and a special day celebrates these four-legged friends every year. Assistance Dog Day recognises and honours assistance dogs, their trainers; and anyone involved in the stage to getting to being partnered.

Also aims to raise funds and increase awareness of the work they do. It is part of International Assistance Dog Week, a yearly event started by long-time paraplegic, Marcie Davis. There are many different kinds of assistance dogs, from the well-known guide dogs and hearing alert dogs that help people with vision and hearing loss, to lesser-known helpers like seizure alert and medical alert dogs that can recognise the signs of heart attacks, strokes and epilepsy; and those that assist with a range of disability needs creating independence. 

A range of events are held to celebrate Assistance Dog Day, including dog shows, sponsored dog walks, talks and dog graduation ceremonies. Many assistance dog training facilities hold open days and tours on this day to show the work that they do.

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/assistance-dog-day/

Wonderful Wandlebury

What a day!
Well it started off terribly with my Assistance dog being very concerned, but thats not to be included in this blog. This is to be about about the wonderful Wandlebury that we discovered.
We were passing by and saw a brown tourist sign for Wandlebury; as in a place of countryside.
Decided to discover it, and so glad we did. What an amazing place.

Free parking for blue badge holders, or if not set pricing for type of vehicle, can easily spend half a day there, plenty of woodland/fields/hills/huts to discover; no cafe on site.

I'd definitely recommend if your in the area.

Wet Dog

Today we went for a walk to the river, I love this place, such an ideal spot for a spot of sniffing the grass, hedges and where feet have been. But best of all is all the play mates I find when I get to go in the river; which is more like a stream with access into it by a muddy slope.

Today was best of all though, my human owner came in with me and paddled with me up to her knees to get to the middle huge boulder; and 'set up camp' there. We took a snappy there, I made sure my human owner was as wet as me by the time we left; would of been rude to not include her:

We took a lovely one of us together also, but not for public viewing.

Once we got home, Human owner made me all wet once again; I had just started to dry again. With a thing called a shower. How dare she?! Although I was very good and stood very patiently for her to rub in my oatmeal shampoo, and rinse it all out; then I had a comb too. I love having a pamper.

But there was that wet dog smell again.

Its part of summer when you live in the countryside, right?

The Oddest Things......

Sometimes awareness comes at the oddest times; when you least expect it.

On a breathtaking walk today among many different types of trees, a lake and sandiness under foot too. There were cyclists doing their rides, tractors and lawnmowers doing their work; yet not disturbing the peace.
Many dogs could be seen in the distance too, yet each person seemed very polite, and either had the dogs under control when met on the path; or they put the dogs on lead.

Well today I didn't put my assistance dogs jacket on, as we were only in the forest; and he didn't need any proof for entrance to places. So he had blank lead and cooling jacket and was 21 C. H looked like any other ordinary dog; if you can get an ordinary dog?

We were walking around the lake when approached by a dog, the woman shouted ahead to check I was OK with it (yes as my dog wasn't 'working').
She had a female golden lab retriever (my favourite - sorry to my dog). The owner had two golden lab retrievers; she is so lucky as they had lovely temperments. They were both gentle with my dog and had a little play near the lake.

We got talking, and it came up that he was loyal to me; and I mentioned he is an assistance dog. And for the first time in months to whoever has asked about him; something different happened which shocked me.
Usually people ask me what he does for me, I would tell them a few small tasks like dropped items, door tugs, lift calls.And then they always have said "oh I need one of those, can I have him?"
I've always felt as though people don't understand why I have him or the impact to a disability of having an assistance dog. The independence but still have the disability. Do they want my disability?


BUT this time the woman asked what he does for me, and I thought oh here we go again (but you never know who people are; maybe potential sponsors or donations; so got to be nice!).
So I started to tell her, and she seemed really interested so I said how he will strip the bed and put it in the washing machine too; and get my epi pen too. So more than I would usually say.
I was waiting for the dreaded usual response.....

Then I got a shock,
"Wow that's amazing. Its so great what they can teach to these assistance dogs. your'e very lucky to have got a dog who can do all of that"

She went on to ask about the training involved of my dog, and myself and how I keep training him too; and why I have him in first place.
Ideal time to raise awareness of vEDS (Vascular Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).

I always carry awareness flyers on me, so I gave her some about EDS UK and about Canine Partners (where my assistance dog is from). (I don't have any about POTS UK).

Felt such a positive talk with her, maybe this is the way forward considering we been partnered seven months now; and he has calmed down a lot now.

And now it is movie time for us both to rest.
What will our next adventure be?

Fun at the Coast with Ps

Well after a busy day yesterday sniffing noses and bums at the Guide Dog forum Cambridge, and then many bumps one the way home; we had a very busy again today. This was after seeing a friend late in the afternoon yesterday too.

Well today we went to the coast, we adore the coast, we went down some funny roads to get there....

We had six miles to go on this and it was ultra bendy, I was swaying from side to side. I blame Mums driving, hehe.

We went to the Sealife centre, and I just love the penguins. They are so funny, and just like myself they are black, so I think that's why they like me too.

This one in particular was so funny and loved me, he followed me up and down the enclosure, So funny and he kept doing a head bobbing thing. Can I adopt him please Mum?

Do you see a theme going on here to where we spent time? 

Yes I adore the penguins, I wasn't so sure about the seals though. These penguins are so friendly though, can I have a pet mum?

After, I got rudely dragged away from the penguins, humph; we went further along the prom and we went for some fun on the beach; well not full on fun as I had to work apparently. Legal rights mean I have to work in summer months now if I'm to be on the beach on a tight lead; but I got a nice sandy feel under my feet and Mum got to have time on the beach.

We then met some friends after.

I am now heading for much needed snoozing, as I can't keep my eyes open, and I have my Nan to see tomorrow; a busy popular boy what can I say?

Enjoy your weekend

Scorching Busy Bank Holiday

Its been reaching the top end of 20 C here, nearly into 30C. That's way hot. But luckily I have a lovely cooling coat I wear for times like this; and I don't get the wet dog smell either.

This weekend we have been pounding the floor mile after mile, gallon after gallon of water. But its been way too much fun.
I have got to meet so many people, animals, other working pals and I even won a rosette too.

On Saturday I really had to put my nurse hat on and I had to help my owner through another day of severe illness, she has been so poorly this week; but with loads of kisses from me and cuddles too I got her back on track and I wasn't letting her out of bed for nothing - I squished her rather but she is still in one piece; just.
Luckily on Sunday she was well enough to go out with her Mum (my Nan) and myself to a Natural Dog Show. Meaning loads of stalls with yummies selling natural treats (not those ones with yuckies in - and of course they gave away freebies; although I was in work mode so I wasn't allowed them like the others; I had to work for 'free' trial treat; but they were still yummy. Mum bought me some for being a good boy too; not many as we like making ours.
Everyone always says how shiny my coat is - thanks guys *blush * well there was a competition for just that, (and others like cutest dog/best rescue etc) so we entered into 'Best coat condition' - and we got 2nd place with a blue rosette.
And I met this lovely trainer too who was on a stall, who gave some wonderful advise about my 'naughty' habits. They run some courses quite close by for anyone who is interested they are at Ipswich and also just outside on north side of Ipswich too. Anyone interested let me know as I have their details and the courses they run.

Then on the Monday Mum had always wanted to go to a local museum but hadn't managed to get there with support on any event days, and bank holiday Monday happened to be an event called 'Futuristic Farming' and being so rural where we live we are bought up around farming industries; even within our family.

The farm itself there was so great, I loved seeing the pigs, I put  my front two paws up on th wall so I could see over and have a look at them. Two big black hairy ones!

We went on a bumpy tractor ride then round then (they had drop down ramp which was so screechy but it didn't bother me, it bothered Mum more).

I was such a good boy on the tractor ride even with all bumps. Once off the tractor ride, we headed up to see the Shire horses working the field with an old style plough.

We went round the museum itself which was filled information, statues and dress up boxes; I was ultra helpful to Mum and did an 'up counter' and got the beer mat off the bar counter much to the amusement of everyone nearby who was looking over the counter - I wanted to see what they looking at! Apparently 'up counter' cue (which wasn't spoken) is NOT used for that reason, NOT used to steal items, I'm only to do when helping to pay for items etc; but not taking items in a museum. I didn't get wrong just got explained about it. 

I think it was more so those nearby understand why I shouldn't of done it.

There some 'resting places' I had different ideas for these.....

There was even an outdoor 'cafe' who had made food from the outdoor world, like nettle crisps, pesto (made from walnuts and whatever leaf you like, oil etc) and there were bugs for protein. The pesto and Nettle Crisps were good apparently; but this will be the future of the diet.

We had an amazing day, we were the first people in the car park, even at the gate; and the last people leaving; they were escorting us from the toilets and out the museum to the car!

So writing this on the next day (Tuesday) we are having a more restful day in preparation for a busy few days ahead again. I think we deserve that calmer day, right?

Signing off

~ J

Weekend marathon

This weekend is the London marathon, we know a guide dog partnership who have been in training for it - good luck to them.
Ourselves we haven’t been training yet today it feels like we have done the marathon a day early without training - we both enjoyed it anyway and with amazing views.
We went to a localish town where there is a country park ina forestry trust, so lots of trees and trees trunks across the floors making it slightly hard going; so mum needed guiding around them.
We got stuck once and needed someone to help us get unstuck, luckily this time someone was passing by; and we went with family so we were a bit better off if they had to go off to get help - while I entertained mum of course.
I met many new kids while doing my weaving inbetween close knit trees and they were asking what mum was getting me to do so well.

After family left we went onto another forest trust site just down the road which had loads of ropes in the sky and one which whipped through the sky super fast with a funny sound; I got a super cuddle for behaving near this so well as the sounds was such a high pitched sound.

We are both so worn out once home and are so glad we have a much quieter week than usual, although we do have a couple long days but fun apparently.

I wonder what is next on hold for us? I enjoy these trips out but I do forget myself a little.

~Working Dog

Making a Splash

Amazing walks that make me snooze all the way home which is unheard off. I so enjoyed today's walk and am eager to go back here to meet my pals again.
Anyone else want to join us too? It was so much fun.

We even played Pooh Sticks on a bridge we found, and I did some training too, 'sit', 'wait' and 'up'. My Pooh Stick won of course.

I then found some play buddies who were allowed to go paddling with me, so we all had some time in the water, this was so much fun. Bang, Pepper, and Hester in the photo with myself.

A crazy me running out the water with flappy ears and soaking wet, I shared my soakiness just after this; well its rude not too.

In the field I was having some off lead walking time and I went a bit crazy, I was missing my pals I had made. Well I did my 'head rub dance' as Mum calls it. Anyone else do this? Please say I'm not alone?

But I did behave nicely, I did a 'down'  when asked and 'wait' for six minutes with dogs passing and this was for photos but also for training.

Personally I much prefer the water splashing. Much more fun to be had tomorrow I do hope.

Woofing all day and a surprise guest

Well I've been on a bit of an adventure today.
Mum says I learnt a lot from it, there certainly were many smells, yummies and many friends to be; and some grumblies too. I need flashing lights around me so people can see, oh gosh did I yelp; and yet the man human didn't even apologise just walked off after getting to his two feet.

We went to a country show with Heavy horses, they were very heavy and mum has the cheek to call me heavy when I am weighed.
There was also alpacas, donkeys, Huskies and some more animals. We saw archery, and a dog massage class; but the highlight for us both was our first go at an agility course and then the flyball too. And I of course excelled at both within seconds; especially the Flyball.
Who needs a new Flyball teammate?

There were loads of yummy stalls dotted about too, these kept my nose sniffing about and my mouth very busy with noise; which annoyed mum after quite some time as I wouldn't listen. But it all smelt so good.

The Heavy Horse show was very fun though, I got to meet a horse so close while the horse was dancing and to our favourite music. So we were all happy, Mum's favourite track, which has became mine and the horses too. So a great track to help us all get to know each other. I'm hopefully going to get know more horses over time, but not so large.

Just before we left I got to actually play with a mate I had made during the day, Charlie, he is five years older than myself; but Mum said I had mainly been good and allowed us to play. She was willing Charlie to teach me to not bark; woof woof maybe one day I wont get so excited and not have my say.
Sorry but I hope I done you proud as I really enjoyed my day; despite being a lunatic and breaking my lead attachment, embarrassing you a few times and you cutting power supply to the burger van - ooops.

Was great to meet a sponsor from Canine Partners too hey Mum?

Here's one to finish with of me running through the tunnel, scary but fun!

Woof!

Finding An Assistance Dog....

Finding an Assistance Dog

I wanted to share my journey about my Assistance Dog, but how it’s different when you have an unique cat. Some of you may already know about my amazing cat who was recently in the news due to winning an award. She is able to detect my collapse episodes which she has had no training for this. Here is the link to what was written at the time - https://www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/nca/nca-special-recognition

I have been on the list for two and half years for an assistance dog, I applied in June 2015 to Canine Partners for an Assistance Dog, after a long hunt around all the different assistant dog companies. All the others refused me on multiple grounds which luckily Canine Partners oversaw, as they liked a challenge; and saw it as finding a way to create an ability around the disability.

I got invited to their centre for a training day where they would assess if they could meet my needs; rather than agreeing from just off a piece of paper. I don’t want to go into too much detail about it all, I’d rather say about how my assistance dog and my cat have bonded which we thought wouldn’t happen so soon.

Originally I should of gone September/October but I was hospitalised, so it got postponed until mid-November.

After the day at the centre I saw the Dog Occupational Therapist (DOT) who came out to my home, this was to check that the surroundings the dog will live in is habitable. The home, garden, any hazards to myself which could put the dog in danger even like a step with me using a wheelchair; and my cat at current time anything that we could do to make them transition easier.

Together we also had to go to the chosen most used exercise area for the dog, along with a long list of other things.

They then believed they had the ideal dog to my situation and needs, and they had found the dog that would benefit from living with me.

We met for a day for a matching day in November 2017 to see if the dog (Black Labrador x Retriever) would be ok with my cat (chubby and grumpy), and how the dog and myself would connect. This was the turning point.

You spend two and half years on the waiting list, not knowing when you will get the call to be told your potential match has been found; then if that match is good when you meet you get six weeks typically. I got two, from meeting the dog till training to get your head around it.

It’s almost like being pregnant, you wait all your life for your baby; you keep dreaming one day it will happen. It’s the longest pregnancy for an assistance dog you don’t know when the birth will be though, whereas mothers going into labour at least they know the longest will be nine months; maybe a couple days over. I could have had three babies in that time if I was pregnant and just train them to level of an assistance dog, although I’m sure they wouldn’t qualify and wouldn’t be allowed. Although there wouldn’t be any of this problem with businesses saying the dog isn’t allowed when the dog is allowed by law as it’s an assistance dog.

To help my cat settle with the dog more I ended up getting a natural plug in diffuser. I would highly recommend this.

https://www.medicanimal.com/Pet-Remedy-Natural-Diffuser-Plug/p/I9106277?_fp1=ppc&_fp2=277849834&_fp3=1213860958744278&_fp4=I0009879-mauk&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=F3D+-+MA+-+Shopping+-+Generics+%25255BUK+-+EN%25255D+ACQ-PLA-BHV&utm_term=4579465930408112&utm_content=F3D+-+MA+-+Shopping+-+Dog+-+Dog+Training+%252526+Behaviour+%25255BUK%25255D+ACQ&gclid=CNHBlNjgk9gCFQX7GwodlZUCeQ&gclsrc=ds

The first 48 hours has a strong scent of herbs and oils, but I do have heightened senses so it maybe isn’t as bad. But it actually was a calming smell even to me.

I plugged it in a week before the dog arrived so the cat had some benefit in her system and the house was wells scented for when the dog arrived; although the dog is fine with cats as he displayed brilliantly when I met him, and showed he can touch noses gently with a strange cat on a pathway and didn’t even frighten the cat. 

For the dog and cat it made them be a lot more relaxed, only a small amount of tension on first couple of days. The cat is one to stand her ground if she felt the dog was doing wrong being in her home, so I think the plug in helped to some degree.

I felt my cat needed this especially as she may of felt pushed out from a dog being bought in, due to her being especially close to me as previously mentioned caused by my condition. But I make time to be with both of them at separate times, and then also together at their comfortable distances at the early days; and this seems to work for us and they accept it this way.

Throughout the training we learnt the similar things that all partnerships do, some bits were tailor-made to our partnership and will be throughout ours, but the dogs can pull doors open, undress, do light switches, un/load washing machine, pull shoes off, pick up dropped items, and bring happiness to your life; among so much more.

Once the intense training finished I got an Aftercare worker allocated to us, who will come out to my home to visit my dog and myself to see how we both getting on. At first these visits will be weekly then will slowly get less until there is a couple months in-between. And this will continue for the first year.

The first month or so could be tricky, the dog has been uprooted from all he has ever known, its ‘puppy home’ to now it’s ‘working home’. He has lost all his familiar surroundings/smells and people he has ever known from the ‘puppy home’ and been placed in a ‘working home’ and expected to get on with it. So we are going to have some teething problems. From both sides.

Yes is adorable to have an assistance dog and it will make my life so  much easier and more safe when I go out; but this will be a test to start with; and a time where I could need support from my loved ones too.

So yes the cat and the dog are getting on now, but we have to keep a happy balance every day to check it’s keeping that way due to the uprooted nature; luckily I have the aftercare team on hand if things do erupt.

I will have so much more freedom and independence having an assistance dog, I’m in my 30’s I shouldn’t be reliant on others despite having chronic health conditions. This is 2018 nearly, and yet there isn’t the support out there unless a dog is willing to help as they don’t make the judgment.

So thank you to the wonderful people all involved in my dogs care up to this point and throughout his partnership now. Without them none of this would be possible. For just my partnership alone it costs them £20,000 to train, feed, house, vet bills, insure, toys etc.

And that’s the ones that don’t go missing sadly, there have a been a few rare cases where they have been out training on ‘free runs’ and gone missing with massive searches with no trace.

I have kept this quiet until our partnership is at a good bond rather the day after he arrived home, but no doubt the news travels fast due to training at my door, on my road and in my town; and assistance dogs in my area are uncommon. It’s a shame privacy isn’t a thing anymore, especially when you need it when training up an assistance dog; and needing that time to put your effort and energy into your bond and making sure things are correct.

I have been so honoured to be placed with a dog from Canine Partners and work with them through the training course; just the same as the Cats Protection to know them over the years and the support they have given. I now have a wonderful household which works in harmony.

Those two and half years were well worth waiting for, and that time was spent preparing my cat with reading dog stories too.