Turning hard work into fun and happiness

Recently, Community Dog Handler Julia and golden retriever, Georgie have been out and about in Bristol working with a range of people including Carol, who has a dementia diagnosis and was also struggling to engage with physio after a knee replacement in 2023. 

Carol’s son, Paul, is her main carer and shared with us some of the powerful outcomes he’s seen through Carol’s connection with the Dogs for Good service and in particular, how Georgie’s particular brand of fun and enthusiasm helps turn chores into fun.

"When my mum was diagnosed with dementia in 2021, we were referred to a local Dementia Wellbeing Service here in Bristol. And from there, we were put in touch with Dogs for Good's Community Dog service," explains Paul.

"Mum's diagnosis wasn't a great shock, there's a family history so, unfortunately, we were expecting it. But it's never a nice bit of news to be given.

"Mum had a knee replacement in 2023 and the recovery from that was quite difficult for her so having some help from the Dogs for Good team, specifically to help her engage with physio, was important as she was finding the motivation a struggle."

One of Carol's main challenges was being able to lift her foot even just a couple of inches over a door threshold. Which meant she didn't go out of the front door. But with Georgie waiting on the other side, the mental block Carol was experiencing was overridden.

"Georgie took mum's mind off the task a little bit and slowly but surely, with practice and repetition it got easier and easier. Then over the course of a few weekly sessions, suddenly, we were out of the house and walking up towards the footpath! It was a remarkable change," says Paul.

"The overriding importance of these sessions for mum are that prior to having them, she was down in the dumps, depressed, didn't want to engage and becoming frustrated with anyone that was trying to help. But as soon as Georgie turns up, that will totally change and she's a completely different person. All of a sudden she's saying 'yep, let's go and do it, let's do it!' and we always see really good improvements following on from the sessions."

One of the standout moments for Paul was when Carol actually managed to achieve the goal they'd both set which was to walk up onto a golf course at the back of the house where a new pond had been put in. Carol also wanted to see a heron which had taken up residence there. "With Georgie by her side, we managed to walk a distance, up the lane, to the pond and the heron was there. Mum hadn't been up there for 25 years or more so it was a real pleasure for her to see the changes, rather than them being described to her. It was an outstanding achievement."