Ability Dogs 4 Young People welcomed Katy Taylor, Chief Executive of Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries, and Claire Harding, Executive Assistant, to their Training Centre at Sandown Airport on last week.
This special visit allowed the Charity to introduce their volunteers, Recipients and Ability Dog puppies in training to the Chief Executive and give her a better understanding of the hard work that goes into the training of each Ability Dog, and the difference these Ability Dogs make to the lives of disabled people living on the Island.
Meeting the next generation of Ability Dogs
Carol, the Founder and CEO of the Charity, invited Katy to watch a demonstration puppy class with the volunteer Puppy Parents and all of the Ability Dog puppies currently in training, aged between four months and two years old. The youngest, a Golden Doodle called Zara, is the Charity’s 100th puppy to enter training and a huge milestone.
From playful tasks to life-changing skills
During the class, the puppies demonstrated a range of skills, from basic obedience to special task work. Carol explained that task work is just a game to the puppies, involving fetch, push and tug, and with these three activities an Ability Dog can be trained to help a disabled person by opening a door, picking up the phone or alerting for diabetes.
Katy Taylor said,
“It is so wonderful to see so many young puppies training together at the same time without distracting each other or messing around!
“This is truly a testament to the dedication of the Ability Dog trainers and all of the volunteer puppy parents, who are clearly doing a wonderful job.”
Stories from Recipients and their dogs
After the demonstration, Katy met six Recipients and their working Ability Dogs, hearing first-hand how each Ability Dog provides support tailored to the individual needs of the person they are matched with.
Among them was Jon, who explained that Willson is his successor Ability Dog following the retirement of his first Ability Dog. Willson gives Jon the confidence to go out and about independently. Jon volunteers at a local charity bookshop with Willson by his side.
Supporting pupils in the classroom
Katy also met Nessie, a School Therapy Ability Dog at Broadlea Primary School who helps children who may otherwise feel unable to come into school.
Her presence in the classroom supports pupils with social anxiety to feel relaxed, creating a calm environment to learn in. Nessie is a well-loved member of the school community, and is even set to be the star of her own children’s book coming out later this year.
Why Wightlink’s support matters
Katy Taylor, Chief Executive of Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries, said,
“It was my absolute pleasure to visit Ability Dogs 4 Young People at their Training Centre, and in particular to hear the stories of the Recipients and their working Ability Dogs. I was amazed to discover that one Ability Dog can even detect and alert their Recipient to an oncoming seizure!
“There is no doubt that this Charity is making a huge difference to the lives of disabled people of all ages on the Isle of Wight, and we at Wightlink are very proud to support them.”
Carol Court, Founder and CEO at Ability Dogs 4 Young People, said,
“We were very pleased to welcome Katy Taylor and Claire Harding to our Training Centre and to show them how we are changing so many lives for the better here on the Island. Wightlink have supported the Charity for many years with free ferry travel tickets.
“The cost savings and the flexibility of travel these provide is invaluable when we are travelling to collect new puppies and taking dogs to specialist veterinary appointments on the mainland. Thank you, Katy, for taking the time to come and see us.”
News shared by Enya on behalf of Ability Dogs for Young People. Ed
