Susie the Shih Tzu is a lifeline to her
66-year-old owner Wyn Butler who would be
housebound without her dog's help.
Wyn, of Holgate Crescent, Parson Cross, is
paralysed from the waist down following an
accident at work which injured her spinal
column.
She needs a wheelchair to leave the house
and a frame or stick when she is inside.
Mrs Butler bought Susie as a lap dog when
her previous assistance dog Duffer was
retired from her duties.
She did not think she would be eligible for
a second dog to be trained to help her, but
the Support Dogs charity on Brightside Lane
in Sheffield assessed the OAP as being in
need of another dog and agreed to train
Susie.
But just weeks before she was about to begin
specialist training to teach her how to do a
range of tasks such as emptying the washing
machine, fetching the post and picking up
the phone, she developed a limp and was
diagnosed with a bone abnormality.
Susie underwent an operation and had just
made a full recovery when she ran into the
road outside Wyn's house and was struck by a
car, fracturing her pelvis.
Wyn said: "Our vet said to us that Susie has
the heart of a lion and he is right. She has
overcome such a lot to become an assistance
dog and at times I didn't think she would
ever happen.
"I can't explain to people just how much of
a difference she makes to me - she gives me
the confidence to leave the house because I
know that I can rely on her should I ever
need her.
"Without her I would be house-bound."
A Support Dogs spokeswoman said: "To
overcome her first disability was an amazing
achievement, but no-one thought Susie would
ever be strong enough to work after this
second set back.
"Within a few months, she was back on her
feet and after a series of medical checks
she finally entered training.
"As you might imagine from such a strong
willed dog, Susie flew through the course
showing a remarkable ability to learn tasks
quickl
y whether
opening doors, picking up dropped items or
even fetching the phone.
"After all the tears and the roller coaster
ride of the previous year, Susie finally
qualified in December."
The
main difference is the number of compressions vs. breaths. The American
Red Cross recently changed the requirement for humans to one breath per
30 compressions. Pet CPR is one breath to five or six compressions. The
same technique is used, except with small animals you use one hand.
If
the animal is not breathing and has no pulse, close its mouth and place
your mouth over the animal's snout and blow forcefully. Then alternate
breaths with chest compressions.
