Today Newsnibbles catches up with Hetty, the first dog in the UK to be both a guide dog for the blind and a seizure alert dog. She has taken some time out from her busy schedule to tell us a little bit about her work and responsibilities.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your job.
I am a guide dog as my mum is blind & a seizure alert dog as she also has severe epilepsy. I go everywhere with mum including
restaurants, hospital appointments and abroad!
2. Have you always wanted to be a working dog, or is it something you just fell into?
I was specially bred by guide dogs but am the only dog in the UK to go both jobs, I was selected as I am extremely motivated & intelligent, with very high energy and attention to detail!
3. How do you know when someone is about to have a seizure?
I have received many hours training to teach me to watch for signs in my mum.
4. What can people do to help train more working dogs like you?
It costs lots of pennies to train dogs like me, but if you cannot spare change maybe you could donate time and help look after collecting boxes in your home town, or have a coffee morning with friends!
5. Do you have any hobbies?
I love swimming, running really fast through mud splashing unsuspecting people & golden retriever wrestling!
6. We know that you’re a busy working dog, but you are also a girl, and therefore must have an opinion on pet couture. Do you have a favourite outfit?
Well I do have quite a number of outfits but my best covering is MUD!
7. Who is your hero?
My mum and big brother Arthur!
8. Anything you would like to add?
With my work I enable my mum and family to have a huge amount of normality, with such an unpredictable condition. The children are not exposed to the scariness of seizures & although they know mum is unwell they do not have to witness them which could be very distressing.
My mum says that with me by her side she feels she can take anything on!
