Partners For Life

By Jane Bidder
Publisher: Orion Books, 5 Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9EA UK
StgUK9.99

THIS is a really heartwarming book of stories about service dogs and their lifetime companions. Written and compiled by Jane Bidder of the organisation Canine Partners for Independence, it tells the stories of true-life canine heroes and the human partners they have been chosen for, and trained to assist.

Not only must these dogs demonstrate that they are willing and able to respond positively to customised training - they also need to have the right temperament to be compatible with their potential partner.

The most well-known partnership in the book is that of Allen Parton and Endal, known as Britain's wonder dog. The story of how they became partners was not all smooth running. Endal was the only pup in a pregnancy that was the result of an accidental mating between a pedigree father and daughter. He started life as a very lonely pup, but was noticed sitting by himself when Nina Bondarenko of Canine Partners was visiting the house to view another litter. She asked if she could test Endal too, and he proved willing and able though lacking in enthusiasm. The lack of enthusiasm would continue until he met Allen, and from that day forward it seemed he had chosen his life partner. Endal seemed able to assess situations and respond to them by impulse - when a reversing car knocked Allen out of his wheelchair one day, Endal instinctively grabbed him by the jacket and pulled him up into the recovery position - he had never been trained to do this - put a blanket around his shoulders and ran to a nearby motel for help.

Endal has won a large number of awards including Dog of the Millennium, Golden Bone Dog of the Year, Assistance Dog of the Year 2001, Pro-dog Dog of the Year Gold Medal, and a Lifetime Achievement Award (he was the first dog ever to receive this one). He has been on television from Japan to Australia and has appeared on the Dogs With Jobs programme, shown in USA and Canada. Endal's talents are continually increasing as he uses his instincts to bring a smile to a disabled child's face or inspire another child to struggle until she achieves an erect position so that she can pat him. A true canine hero.

There are another 12 stories that will make readers glad that there are such heroic dogs in the world whose cognition often is superior to our own.

For more than 10 years Canine Partners has been making a real difference in the lives of disabled people. It was established to help people enjoy greater independence and trains at least 20 carefully selected puppies each year to place with suitable owners. These dogs are among the most highly skilled in the world and are capable of responding to more than 100 commands ... plus any that are self-taught.

When you buy this book you are helping Canine Partners to maintain and grow the services it provides to those who would most benefit from entering a lifetime partnership.