Canine Partners – opening doors to independence

Canine Partners assists people with disabilities to enjoy greater independence and a better quality of life through the help of specially trained dogs.

Training assistance dogs allows Canine Partners to totally transform the lives of people with disabilities and their families, enriching human life in practical ways such as dressing and undressing, supermarket shopping and vital emergency response procedures. Caring for and managing a dog ("Canine Partner") not only enriches human life in practical ways, but also provides physiological, psychological and social benefits that help keep people healthy and happy. happy.

As a registered charity Canine Partners receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public donations and legacies. There are currently over 70 partnerships throughout the country.

Research has shown the value of the human-animal bond and the potential therapeutic benefits.

Two's Company

A Canine Partner willingly offers companionship, unconditional love and affection and a sense of security and support, which are all essential to human health and well-being. In the process of learning to care for and manage their dog, a Partner experiences a sense of achievement and purpose, which helps in building self-esteem, self-confidence and motivation.

Social Interaction

Whilst out exercising and playing games in the park, or working in the supermarket and then paying at the checkout, the extraordinary Canine Partner is a catalyst for conversation when meeting new people and increases their Partner's social interaction.

To Boldly Go

To care for and manage a Canine Partner involves being responsible for daily exercise, feeding, grooming and playing which requires a person to discover new strategies to complete these tasks. This increased activity not only helps to maintain a person's muscular strength and joint mobility, but can also encourage a sense of achievement. This contributes to the development of a person's self-worth and self-esteem.

Improved self-confidence has motivated many of our Partners to realise their potential by learning new skills, enrolling at university/college, returning to work and living a more independent life.

Contributing to Independence

Canine Partners are trained in a variety of emergency responses and are 'on standby' all the time, ready to assist whenever needed; for example, to activate an alarm, fetch the 'phone or mobile and to get help. Imagine the confidence this can bring to a Partner and the peace of mind experienced by their family or friends. A Canine Partner has the ability to make the difference between reliance on a carer and independence.

Training techniques based on behaviour, play, praise and reward develop eight-week-old puppies into highly skilled and talented Canine Partners.

We created the Puppy Education system so that our dogs can work with a variety of disabilities. This enables them to rapidly adapt to changes in a Partner's condition and gives them the ability to readily work with someone else if necessary.

On completion of their training, Canine Partners can respond to approximately one hundred commands, including:

* Operating a pedestrian crossing or lift button

* Loading a washing machine

* Retrieving a wide variety of items as required, for example keys, an inhaler, crutches or the 'phone

* Picking chosen items off supermarket shelves

* Handing over a purse and items at the checkout

* Assisting with dressing and undressing

* Carrying out a range of emergency response procedures

The Well-Being of Our Dogs

Our dogs receive a huge amount of praise, love and affection throughout the training programme, and a Partner takes up this responsibility once they graduate with the dog. Canine Partners ensures each dog achieves its full potential to lead a full and rewarding life by providing the best possible care and overseeing their well-being at every stage of the partnership and retirement.

The Training Process

Puppy Education

Puppies are carefully selected using specially developed aptitude tests, which help to identify potential assistance dogs. Essential qualities include a gentle, co-operative nature, curiosity, a strong desire to be with people and a steady temperament.

The puppies are cared for by volunteer "Puppy Parents" from the age of eight weeks to about fourteen months. By attending weekly training classes, Puppy Parents learn how to socialise puppies to every environment an assistance dog might work in, such as busy streets, shops, hospitals, supermarkets and bus stations.

Puppies are taught how to problem solve, a quality crucial to successfully working as an assistance dog at an exceptionally high level.

Advanced Training

Following successful assessment, the young dogs begin their advanced training that lasts between three to six months. Each day, the dogs are worked in both the Training Centre and in public, developing and honing their skills in preparation for placement.  They learn to use their initiative as well as to respond quickly and reliably when asked.

For example, one dog observed his Partner having difficulty with reaching for his card at the cash point. The dog, without command, reached up and took the money and card from the dispenser for his Partner.

Apart from all the hard work, the dogs enjoy extensive exercise and play. This helps to prepare them for the rigours of working as an assistance dog.

A Partnership Perspective

Miriam Cartledge suffers from osteoarthritis, fibromyalga, unstable angina and has a pacemaker. Two years ago she was partnered with chocolate Labrador Kruger and hasn't looked back since. “Kruger has changed my life,” comments Miriam. “I am more confident with Kruger by my side, as I know he will always help me. I have very limited mobility, so depend on Kruger to pick things up for me. He can fetch the post, bring me the phone, get the washing out of the machine and even knows where my heart spray is should I need it. In fact I trained him myself to help me strip the bed and make it!”

“Kruger is my rock,” Miriam continues. “Without him, my husband would have to retire from work to help me and I don't think I will ever be able to repay Canine Partners for what they have done for me.”

For further information on Canine Partners, please visit www.caninepartners.co.uk or call 08456 580480.