A life-changing support dog is giving his owner renewed independence and support both at home and at work.
Tevye, a three-and-a-half-year-old King Charles Spaniel, has become an essential companion for 32-year-old Ashley Innes, from St John’s Wood, an art researcher living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
Tevye has been trained to assist her with daily tasks and medical alerts through the national charity Support Dogs.
Ms Innes said: "The ability to have Tevye with me 24/7 has been life-changing for me as someone with a mobility disability."
Support Dogs trains and provides assistance dogs for adults with physical disabilities, children with autism, and people with epilepsy.
Ms Innes, who also has a history of Lyme disease, began using a wheelchair at 14 and continues to rely on a crutch.
She is susceptible to fainting due to sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure caused by PoTS.
She applied to Support Dogs in early 2024 to have Tevye trained as an assistance dog and, after interviews and assessments, began an 18-month training programme.
She said: "Tevye could already assist me with medical alerts and deep pressure therapy for my blood pressure, but I wanted to refocus his training to picking objects up, since this would prevent PoTS-related issues."
With the charity’s help, Tevye was additionally trained to unload the washing machine, retrieve medication, and fetch assistance if Ms Innes faints.
He has also played a crucial role in her recovery from a caesarean section in December, following the birth of her son Samuel.
Ms Innes said: "He's made a huge difference following my pregnancy as well.
"I had a C-section and could not bend down at all to pick things up.
"I feel like his whole training was leading up to this moment, which has been such a benefit to our growing family."
Support Dogs instructor Katie Childs said: "Tevye can pick up quite a large variety of items for such a teeny dog, including shoes and a mobile phone that are practically the size of him.
"He is pretty impressive and was a pleasure to train."
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