Stephanie strikes lucky with Vegas

THE UK's first dual role guide dog is busy transforming his Torquay owner's life.

Bay resident Stephanie Read is registered blind and an electric-wheelchair user.

And thanks to a groundbreaking project her life has been completely transformed by the UK's first ever dual-purpose guide dog and canine partner which is trained to help a wheelchair user.

Vegas is the only registered assistance dog to perform the dual roles of guiding a blind person and helping a wheelchair user.

Vegas was trained in a new project between the charities Guide Dogs and Canine Partners.

Stephanie, 26, from Torquay, was a prisoner in her own home, lacking confidence and isolated from the outside world until the arrival of Vegas, a five-year-old black Labrador.

Stephanie has macular hyperplasia, meaning she only has a very small amount of vision.

She also has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects her joints and organs, and she has been a wheelchair user for the past 10 years.

Requiring help to get dressed and carry out the most basic domestic tasks — from answering the phone to picking up a book or newspaper — Stephanie has previously relied almost entirely upon a carer, sometimes waiting many hours for assistance to arrive.

Now, with Vegas by her side, Stephanie is able to carry out simple daily tasks which are usually taken so much for granted without having to rely on when a helper is available.

Stephanie said: "Anything left on the floor is picked up by Vegas. She even rushes to nudge the front door shut before my cat, Mimmy, can dash inside the house.

"Vegas is a super dog, and I'm so grateful to Canine Partners and Guide Dogs for this miracle."

Vegas also provides Stephanie with the freedom and confidence to leave her home when she wants.

Vegas was initially trained by Canine Partners and began working with Stephanie in March 2006. The guide dog training took place earlier this year, with Vegas recently qualifying as the first dual-purpose assistance dog to guide a visually impaired person in an electric-wheelchair.

David Bailey, Guide Dogs' district team manager, said: "Vegas has an extra long harness handle, allowing her to walk safely in front of Stephanie's wheelchair. As with other guide dog owners, Stephanie recognises if she should stop, or move to the left or right, by sensing the movement in the handle."

Andy Cook, director of operations at Canine Partners said: "Although this is a pilot project, we hope there will be further examples of dual-trained assistance dogs benefiting visually impaired wheelchair users in the future. It goes to show what is possible when two charities work closely together."