Dogs taught to help the disabled

Posted on July 17, 2007

Eaton Bray WI welcomed their guest speaker Diane, from the charity Dogs for the Disabled, at the July meeting.

Diane spoke about the work of the charity accompanied by Venny, a beautiful chocolate Labrador. She told how the charity helps disabled people to increase their independence, by training specially selected dogs to live and work with them.

The group learnt how Frances Hay had founded Dogs for the Disabled in 1986. Francis suffered from bone cancer and noticed that as she became more disabled her Belgian Shepherd dog helped overcome some of her physical problems and seeming to know instinctively when Francis needed her.

Dogs are trained in practical tasks such as opening and closing doors, helping a person dress, taking laundry out of the washing machine and switching lights on and off to name but a few of the tasks.

The next WI meeting will be on Monday September 3 at 7.30pm in Eaton Bray Village Hall.

Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 17 July 2007