Bramble
Before Bramble, and his training to be my assistance dog, my quality of life was severely limited by my mental health disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. I couldn’t speak to members of the public or medical professionals, couldn’t be independently safely and had had no choice but to leave university because of my health. Even visiting the local supermarket was too much, and I was plagued with panic attacks, melt downs and hallucinations, unable to cope with the world.
Bramble’s companionship, the tasks he performs for my disabilities and the safety he’s provided, has changed my life.
Through our training with Darwin Dogs, Bramble has taken me from him helping with the laundry, to going shopping and alerting to fainting episodes, to him setting off my medical alarm during falls, ultimately allowing paramedics to find me. He's taken me travelling to different cities by train independently in my wheelchair, to Parliament to discuss assistance dog equality, and even all the way to competing at Crufts in 2020, an environment that previously would have been impossible for me to be in.
With Bramble, I’ve even been able to return to university, and have just completed the first year of my foundation degree and am working towards a dog training career, with Bramble by my side.
I’ve no doubt that training Bramble to be my assistance dog with Darwin Dogs has allowed me to reclaim my life from my disabilities and live freely.