Riley the Rescue Dog is this month’s ‘Amazing Animal of the Month’

Black Labrador Riley went to charity Dogs for the Disabled from the Lewknor Blue Cross rescue centre in South Oxfordshire, having proved too boisterous for the family who owned him.

Chris Allen, Dogs for the Disabled’s Dog Supply Manager, said:

“As soon as we saw him we selected him straight away; we knew he had the potential to be an Assistance Dog”.

Riley was trained at Dogs for the Disabled’s Banbury centre and boarded with volunteers in Bloxham, Greatworth near Banbury and Bicester.

Amazing Animal of the month: Riley the Rescue Dog

 

Riley now works with Ella Wilson, of Middleton Cheney, Banbury, whose osteoarthritis makes it painful and impossible to perform many everyday tasks. He will pick up dropped items from the floor, take off socks and other articles of clothing, fetch out of reach articles, push call and access buttons and give Ella the confidence to manage daily life without always relying on others for assistance.

Ella applied for an assistance dog after her partner sadly died, knowing that  the constant presence of a skilled working dog to help her with everyday tasks would allow her son Tom to feel free to move out and get on with his own life. Tom had cared for Ella since he was 15 and even while at university. She said:

“Riley has turned my life around completely.” – click here to tweet this quote! 

“He’s my companion, but he’s also made my life so much easier. He’s a real character too and brings me joy every day. “

 

Tim Sillis, Centre Manager at Blue Cross Lewknor, adds:

“Riley’s story just goes to show what wonderful companions rescue animals can make and what a difference they can make to people’s lives.”

 

Dogs for the Disabled has trained over 680 Assistance Dogs to date and currently has more than 280 working in England and Wales.

 

Nominate an ‘Amazing Animal of the Month’ now by emailing us – news@goodnewsshared.com

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Nisha Kotecha is the Founder of Good News Shared. Having worked and volunteered for charities in the UK for over 10 years, Nisha is on a mission to highlight how amazing charities are.

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