Dual
Assistance Dog wins major honour
A
national award has been won by an
assistance dog jointly trained by
Sheffield-based charity,
Support Dogs, and
Guide Dogs.
Hetty, a black Labrador cross, won the Guardian Angel category in the
first ever ITV British Animal Honours awards, broadcasted on ITV on
Thursday, 18 April.
The category was aimed at a trained assistance animal who has
transformed the life of an individual through their
exemplary skills,
loyalty and devotion. Hetty has done that in spades after becoming the
first assistance dog in the UK, if not the world, to be both a guide dog
and a
seizure alert dog.
Owner Tony Brown-Griffin, a 43-year-old mum-of-two from Kent, is
registered blind and has severe intractable epilepsy. She said: “Hetty
is fundamental to my life. Everything I do is because of her. Without
her I’d be stuck.”
She gives Tony a warning precisely 42 minutes before the onset of a
major fit, enabling her to get to a place of safety. That’s in addition
to her
guiding duties.
Graham Smith, Guide Dogs' Director of
Mobility Services, said: "We're
delighted, but not at all surprised, that Hetty has been honoured as a
Guardian Angel. She's a wonderful dog and I know she gives Tony and her
family valuable peace of mind.
"Hetty was bred by
Guide Dogs, and we're extremely proud that she's the
first dog in the UK, possibly the world, able to give someone both
freedom, by being their
guide dog, and reassurance, by being their
seizure alert dog.
"We're grateful to Support Dogs for working with us and we hope to train
more dogs like Hetty in future."
Rita Howson, Support Dogs’ Director of Operations said: “This is well
deserved recognition of the way all assistance dogs can improve the
lives of those with disabilities. And Hetty is extra-special.
“Working with
Guide Dogs on this unique and ground-breaking partnership
has been so valuable for us – and Tony Brown-Griffin.”
The ceremony was filmed before a live audience in London with the awards
being presented by popular comedian, and dog lover, Paul O’Grady. |