Pet of the Week - Elsa the Dog Aid Retriever Doodle

Elsa is an Assistance dog She is Golden Doodle, a first cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. She has a white coat and does not moult! Her body looks like a Poodle but her head and tail are more like a Goldie! She is cuddly, cute, beautiful to look at and the best choice I could have made as an assistance dog.

I am in a wheelchair and don't like asking people for help! I decided 6 years ago that I needed a dog to help me but I wanted my own dog and although we have always had Goldies I fell in love with Doodles. After a long search we found a puppy and then had to find out about training!

DOG AID was the perfect answer. They are the only charity in this country where you train your own pet dog with their help and a professional trainer. They gave Elsa and I all the help we needed and after lots of training and three assessments she passed her final test and became an official Assistance dog, she wears a red jacket to show everyone she is working and goes everywhere with me (even on holiday to France) She has become an ambassador for Dog Aid and can be seen on their hand outs and posters and every year joins other Dog Aid dogs at Crufts.

She helps me undress, opens & shuts doors & drawers, loads & unloads the washing machine and most important picks up items I frequently drop! Best of all people talk to me when I am out with her! I no longer feel alone and she puts a smile on the faces of people we see.

Else is also one of our pet actresses on the ProTrainings Pet First Aid course.

Thank you Elsa and thank you Dog Aid (Assistance In Disability). To find out more go to www.dogaid.org.uk for more information and to help Dog Aid. To get your pet featured email a picture and send us some information about them and their breed to info@propetfirstaid.co.uk.

For First Aid Equipment and CPR Manikins different brands and training equipment available including the Practi-Man Manikin range, choking vests and AED Trainers and Live Units.