Emma Reardon, a 53-year-old mother from Carmarthen, has described her life as transformed after receiving a disability assistance dog named Jeff, trained by the national charity Support Dogs. Despite living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, Emma was an active mother, student, and worker. However, during the pandemic, she contracted long Covid and was later diagnosed with heart failure. This triple health challenge left her reliant on a wheelchair or mobility scooter and severely impacted her confidence and independence.
From isolation to empowerment
Emma, a former social care manager who now directs a non-profit autism organization, said: "My illness zapped me of my confidence and stopped me in my tracks. I went from being someone who was full-time employed and a full-time mum to someone who’s now working part-time because of my health. A combination of all these conditions meant I couldn’t live the lifestyle I had before."
Having owned dogs previously, Emma acquired Jeff as a six-month-old puppy to combat isolation. "He did start getting me out, and I realised how much he loved to work," she recalled. After seeing a Support Dogs advertisement on social media, she applied to the charity in late 2024.
Rigorous training process
Following interviews, assessments, and the provision of medical records, Jeff spent a month at Support Dogs' training centre, cared for by volunteer foster carers during evenings and weekends. Emma then joined him for two weeks to learn handler skills. The pair subsequently spent nine months practicing their training at home in Wales.
Jeff has been trained to act as a personal carer for Emma, supporting her 24/7. He accompanies her to work and hospital appointments and assists with daily tasks such as opening doors and pressing access buttons, which is particularly helpful when Emma uses her wheelchair or mobility scooter. He can also retrieve items like her mobile phone.
"He also picks things up I drop, because bending over is difficult for me and he helps me on and off with my jacket and my socks and gloves," Emma added.
Beyond practical help
Jeff also serves as a visible signal of Emma's disability, shifting attention away from her. "Those are the tasks he’s trained in, but more than that, just having him with me means when I go out I just feel more confident," she said. "It’s two-fold – I could look like I’m fine when I’m not fine. Sometimes people assume I’m Jeff’s trainer, because my disability isn’t visible, so having Jeff means people do recognise that I might need a bit of space, or a bit of help."
Describing the experience as "life-changing," Emma concluded: "It’s got me out and about. It’s got me taking part in life much more and feeling much less defined by my illness or disability. Having Jeff, it’s about what I can do now, whereas before, it was about lots of things I found I couldn’t do. I can’t thank Support Dogs enough."
Support Dogs trains and provides specialist assistance dogs to help autistic children and individuals with epilepsy or physical conditions live safer, more independent lives. The charity offers its services free of charge and relies entirely on voluntary donations. For more information, visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.
