Case Studies

Tanya has her own wheelchair accessible unit in the backyard of her parent's home, with an intercom for communication. Then a new helper arrived in January 2001 in the form of Harry, Tanya's Assistance Dog. 

As Tanya says, "Harry came into my life and made a huge difference to my level of independence. For the first time since my accident, my quality of life has improved a great deal." Harry helps Tanya around the home. 

Owing to her disability, she is always dropping things such as her hairbrush, mobile phone, remote controls. Harry often only has to hear something drop and he comes to the rescue, retrieving the item and returning it to Tanya. So Tanya's mother is saved a lot of time and effort running from house to house. And if Tanya gets into trouble and cannot access her intercom, she gets Harry to speak. Her family knows that if they hear Harry bark, she needs their help. "And for the first time I could get out of my own front door, because Harry could open it for me! I can now come and go independently without parental assistance, which makes such a difference."

The other interesting thing that Tanya has noticed is that before she got Harry she tended to be invisible to the people around her - they bumped into her or even walked over the top of her. 

Now when she is out with Harry, people notice both of them and they offer to help. She meets a lot more people as they stop to talk. She is no longer invisible. 

Tanya is employed in the field of website design and development, having completed two Diplomas after her accident. In the evenings, Harry and Tanya go to the movies, concerts, nightclubs and the theatre. With Harry she is approached more and people are more comfortable in making eye contact with her. And that means a lot to Tanya. 

As Tanya says, "Harry has improved my independence, my quality of life and the way I feel about myself. He is also my companion and the very best friend anyone could ever wish for."