Damian's Story

Damian & Gibson (Black Labrador)

Successor Dog and Partnered since 2018

First partnered with Trooper 2016 -2018

Following a serious spinal injury received during operational policing incident in January 2005, my medical condition progressively worsened to the point where I required urgent spinal surgery in 2009. Due to resulting complications, I was prescribed opioid and adjuvant analgesics to address the effects of chronic back pain and ambulatory dysfunction. The transition from a promising operational policing career to non-operational desk-duties was difficult to accept. It wasn’t only my career that suffered though, relationships with my friends and family became strained. 

Over the following five years my mental health deteriorated significantly to the point where I considered suicide in late 2015. Thankfully, I was able to recognise the negative impact of opioid-based medication was having on my life and started to research pain management and disability related solutions instead.  At the time there appeared to be varied options for serving/retired members of the Armed Forces, although none for the Emergency Services. By chance, one day I happened across a video of Allen Parton working with EJ, his Hounds for Heroes assistance dog, on a social media platform. 

Researching further into the charity, I was surprised to find that Hounds for Heroes catered for serving/retired members of the UK Emergency Services alongside those from the UK Armed Forces. It took a month or two of personal reflection and discussion with my family before I decided to send that first email. I’d never properly owned or homed a dog before, and I guessed it would be a big commitment… 

I will never forget attending my very first Hounds for Heroes familiarisation event where one of the assistance dogs looked at me whilst I was having a pain episode on the floor, then calmly walked over and flopped down next me. I can’t tell you how reassuring and calming that experience felt at the time, and was a deciding factor to pursue my journey with Hounds for Heroes.

My first partnership was with Trooper, a handsome golden Labrador Retriever. Our initial two-week training period was really focused on me as he already possessed an extensive repertoire of abilities. It was a challenging and eye-opening fortnight, and which quickly dispelled a lot of my pre-conceptions of dog ownership. On reflection, I feel extremely privileged that he placed his trust in me so quickly; and associate this principally to the attentive training and care of the Hounds for Heroes trainers, and the love and security provided by his ‘puppy-parents’ during his early years.

During our long journey home, I was admittedly in tears and apprehension as I now had a companion to work with, and didn’t feel so alone anymore.

Over the next two and a half years, Trooper quickly became a much-loved part of our family and helped me to repair most of my relationships. Trooper was by ‘name and nature’ stoical and dependable in all situations. Together we faced and overcame a lot of my demons, and he encouraged me to improve my physical (and emotional) health through regular exercise as well as assisting me with all the day-to-day challenges brought on by my disability. 

However, this part of my account doesn’t have happy ending, as tragically, Trooper was diagnosed with a late-stage cancer in early 2018 and passed away later that year. It breaks my heart to think of this guy. He was a loyal companion and did his duty to the end. He gave me joy and purpose in my life and helped me and my family to move forward. We re-named a local landmark from ‘Two Lads’ to ‘Two Lads and a Dog’, and visiting this spot always makes me smile in his memory.

Shortly after losing Trooper, I was then partnered with my latest assistance dog (Gibson), who has continued to encourage me to exercise, to aid me with his skill-set, and provided invaluable companionship whilst doing so. In my experience, chronic pain often makes me frustrated with my predicament and want to shut out the world; although in my experience, a strong partnership creates a sense of commitment and confidence to push through these challenging episodes. Gibson watches out for me, and I do the same for him. He helps me to remain calm and senses my mood. 

Daily tasks for Gibson involve picking up post, and various dropped items, such as pens, keys, and clothes, and even helps retrieve items from inside the washing machine. We have a variety of commands to help me coordinate his physical position when necessary, including non-verbal signals which I use in business meetings to avoid interruption. Gibson lifts my mood every day and generates a happy and positive reaction with almost everyone he meets. 

Managing chronic pain can be exhaustive and unpredictable, and sometimes during pain spikes I find myself having to lie on the floor / ground if there’s no convenient furniture to do so nearby. Gibson always lies close to me to provide reassurance until the episode has passed. Prior to having an assistance dog, such episodes would invariably attract unwanted attention, but thankfully now Gibson’s presence often instigates a more empathetic response, as his demeanour and Hounds for Heroes jacket effectively convey the message:

“I am an Assistance Dog. We are working together, and we are in control”. 

Having a hidden disability can often cause people to mis-read my physical appearance and behaviour, so having an Assistance Dog provides a (much welcomed) visual reference / distraction to curious on-lookers. 

My initial ability to acknowledge and manage my disability caused considerable tension within my family and network of friends. Having an Assistance Dog - and the associated training support from Hounds for Heroes – has helped me to address this and become more accepting of my circumstance and the limitations of my disability. 

I know my wife trusts Gibson to keep me company, look out for me and help-out with all necessary tasks. She knows that he will be attentive, can often read Gibson’s behaviour as an indication of my mood / pain levels.

On a lighter note though, when he’s ‘off duty’, Gibson delights in greeting my friends and all members of my family if we’ve been apart for any period of time; usually demanding affection and instigating a game of tug-tug or fetch with a grin on his face and a waggy tail. He is a happy, funny and caring character whom we all adore.

Note to prospective partners:

Being partnered with an assistance dog is an emotional journey and takes time and significant effort to refine. It will inevitably require dedication, commitment and lifestyle adaptations, but all thing considered, the pros vastly outweigh the cons.