'Devoted' assistance dog always by owner's side
PDSAAn assistance dog who helped his owner avoid accidents and medical emergencies for eight years has received an award.
Nine-year-old black labrador Rowley, from Surrey, has been awarded a PDSA commendation for supporting owner Megan, who lives with multiple disabilities.
He has alerted Megan, who has visual impairment, profound hearing loss in one ear, mobility difficulties and Crohn's disease, to more than 6,000 medical episodes during their time together, the PDSA said.
"Everything I've achieved over the last eight years has only been possible because Rowley has been by my side every step of the way," Megan said.
Rowley has carried out roles including guide dog, disability assistance dog and medical alert and response dog, allowing Megan to live and work independently, the veterinary charity said.
Megan said: "Over his career Rowley has been my steadfast companion and has prevented me from hundreds of injuries."
She said it was because of Rowley that she could work for the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, delivering disability awareness training, campaigning for disability rights, and running a peer support group.
'Loyalty and devotion'
The charity said Rowley's scent detection skills could give Megan up to seven minutes' warning before she lost consciousness, allowing her to reach a place of safety.
He has also prevented her from stepping into moving traffic when it was unsafe, alerted her before fainting episodes and seizures, pulled emergency cords in disabled toilets and can open doors for paramedics if required.
Rowley was partnered with Megan in 2018 and he is due to retire when he turns 10 in October.
The charity said his career left "an extraordinary legacy of loyalty, devotion and life-saving service".
Jan McLoughlin, director general of PDSA, said the award recognised the "everyday heroes", the "animals whose unwavering love, support and devotion have transformed the lives of those around them".
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