Amy & 'Bonnie'

Click here to view a video of Amy & 'Bonnie' on graduation day
(thanks to the Cerebral Palsy Society of NZ)

Click here to view a video of Amy & 'Bonnie' on Attitude TV

"It seems amazing to think I have had 'Bonnie' for a year now. I still remember so clearly the nervousness and excitement of being matched with her and learning the intricacies of having a 24/7 canine companion. The biggest change for me from this time last year is the remarkable (though not always seamless!) way 'Bonnie' has adapted to my lifestyle. She has enriched my life in more ways than I ever thought possible when I reflect back on the few weeks after I graduated.

As I am writing this 'Bonnie' is curled up under my computer desk. She has just been helping me pick up tools and branches as I worked in my newly designated vegetable garden. I think that really sums up everything about the developing partnership with a service dog. As my life changes and develops she moves right along with me. It’s not so much that I have to think, "would this be an appropriate place for 'Bonnie'?" rather I think, "is there any reason why a particular situation wouldn’t be suitable?" 'Bonnie' has been on four plane rides (including a private jet no less), the trains, many concerts and most recently through the museum to see Sue the dinosaur.

One of the aspects that has been most surprising about this process is the subtle but significant ways she has changed my routines. For example, I really enjoy exploring my local neighbourhood in the weekend and now it is through the lens of someone walking a dog. Furthermore, I feel far safer going further distances from my normal routines knowing I can rely on her to attract attention (if through nothing more than the dubious honor of my designer mutt) In the next few years I am looking at moving out of home, getting a job that resembles a career and potentially getting my own oriental cat named after some obscure historical figure. The prospect is made all the exciting by the idea that 'Bonnie' will be, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, right there beside me.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing. The rough sailing includes public diarrhoea and enthusiastic, somewhat manic greetings of her fabulous trainer Laura, and/or dogs. This typically occurs three seconds after you’ve finished lauding your dog's fantastic levels of obedience and discipline to friends and curious onlookers alike. When all is said done however I wouldn’t trade 99% of my experience with 'Bonnie' for the world."

My Auntie Amy (written by Amy's nephew Ossian, age 9)

My auntie Amy has a disability called Cerebral Palsy. It makes her muscles very slow and stiff. That is why she is in a wheel chair.

Amy was born far too early. She weighed less than 1 lb when she was born and was very sick and this is what caused her disability.

When I visit my auntie Amy I can help her with things like opening the garden gate so she can come through on her wheel chair. I also help her down the ramps and bring her things that she needs.

Now I don’t need to do so many things for Amy as she has a very special dog called Bonnie. Bonnie is a mobility assistance dog who is specially trained to help Amy. Bonnie can do lots of things like pushing the button on the elevator, turning on and off the lights, picking up things that Amy needs and giving them to her and pulling off her socks for her.

Bonnie has made a big difference to Amy and made things a lot easier for her when she is at home and when she is at university.

I love my auntie Amy and she has taught me about people with disabilities.

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