Margaret has new lease of life thanks to her dog Ollie
Margaret Wakelin of Helpringham with her support dog Ollie. Photo: 0043SB-5
A DISABLED woman has four extra legs to help her get by thanks to a charity which turned her pet into her helper.
Margaret and Robert Wakelin, of New Street, Helpringham, have nothing but praise for the charity Support Dogs, who trained their three-year-old Airedale Ollie to lend a helping paw to his owner.
Margaret suffers from osteoarthritis and uses a wheelchair. Before Ollie passed his training she wouldn’t leave the house alone in case she had a fall.
But now she can happily get around with Ollie by her side and Margaret said that this also gives Robert peace of mind, knowing that she is safe with her four-legged companion.
Ollie went through a vigorous training programme with Support Dogs when he was a year old, spending 170 hours altogether with the charity in and around Sleaford. He qualified as a support dog in August 2011 after six months of training,
He has learnt to do many tasks to help Margaret, which remarkably even includes helping her dress and undress. Ollie also fetches objects such as the post, remote controls and the phone when it rings, as well as opening and closing doors.
Ollie even knows to summon Robert if Margaret has a fall at home, or to bark and attract attention if she falls when they are out.
Margaret said: “Ollie has changed my life and I don’t know what I’d do without him now. He not only helps me with all my daily tasks but he is my constant companion.”
Margaret and Robert would like to thank the people and businesses of Sleaford for their patience while Ollie has been around the town doing his training, and to thank Support Dogs for making such a huge difference to their lives.
Their son Mark will be taking on the Adidas Silver Half Marathon on March 11, hoping to raise at least £300 for Support Dogs, as the charity is not government funded.
To sponsor Mark, visit his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/mark-wakelin1 or for more information visit www.support-dogs.org.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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