Help Hannah and Darcy navigate the world together

Hello dear Human,

My name is Darcy and I’m a ginger 2-year old golden retriever. I am a very elite (🏆💯🌠) dog but I need your help! My whole life is about to change soon, because in January 2019 I will meet my very special person and go to live with her.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm a Mobility Dog (aka Disability Assist Dog). Alongside regular dog tasks like fetching, rolling and staying I have many other skills: for example, I can open a fridge, an elevator, help with putting clothes in and out of the washing machine and fetching blankets. Soon I will get to put all my training to use when I go to live in Wellington with my human partner, Hannah.

Hannah has been sick since she was 12 years old. She was born with underdeveloped organs and has several complex diseases. She lives with daily pain and fatigue which means that for the past 10 years she has struggled with daily tasks that most people wouldn’t think twice about. When Hannah’s mobility isn’t the best, I can pick things up from the floor and guide her where she needs to go. I know where her medicine (💊) lives and can bring it to her. On the days Hannah spends on the bathroom floor, I will fetch her phone and water and lie with her. If she faints, I will bark for assistance and put my paws on her chest to make her feel safe. If she falls, I will brace my body for her, so she can hold onto my strong (💪) shoulders to get up. Her family and friends will have the security of knowing that Hannah isn't alone, particularly in emergencies.

With my help, Hannah won’t have to stay home alone most of the time anymore. She will be able to regain her independence and will have more energy to be active in her community.

I learned all my tasks from my awesome puppy raisers, some amazing handlers in the Puppies in Prison programme, and in intensive training with the dedicated specialists at the Mobility Dog Trust. I was matched with Hannah because the types of things she needs are the things I love to do!

It cost the Trust NZD $50,000 to raise and train me and I am almost ready to go and kick ass at my job! The only thing left is for me and Hannah to learn how to communicate and work together at a NZD $2,000 placement camp in January 2019. This is the only cost that the Mobility Assistance Dog Trust asks for.

Next on the list for my arrival to happen is for Hannah to get a fence built around the boundary of her garden. She moved recently because her legs aren't working properly (but that's okay, I'll be there in a jiffy to help!), and so has to rush to get a good strong fence built to make sure I'm safe in the garden. If she is bed-bound, she can leave the door open and I can go in and out (I'm very responsible, but also curious and love to sniff things) and she'll know I'm not going to get out onto the busy street. With so many medical expenses already, if you have any extra pennies to put towards that then it would mean the world. And then I can go live there :D

I look forward to meeting and sniffing you,

Woof,

Darcy