ADvocate Blog
This blog space is for our team to share helpful information and for assistance dog handlers to share their story.
Romanian Rescue to assistance dog
We live on the Isle Of Man, a part of the British isles. Benji was adopted as a pet at 4 months old. The only life he knew after being found in a carrier bag dumped at the side of a road with his 4 siblings was a compound at the rescue. He was advertised as small, he grew big, an ideal size for me.
Image description: Benji in his harness and cape.
As he had a calm temperament and I was struggling I decided to train him to help me. I had a DNA test to find what breeds were in him and he has a few guardian breeds so I researched the breeds and knowing his natural instinct I took this into account and it has helped me train him. Due to his breeding he is very cautious and checks we are safe, this can come across as nervous. I gave him time to look and take things in when training him. Once he decided it was safe and was desensitised to different things he accepted them calmly.
He is my balance assistance dog when out and about and he tasks at home by helping with my clothes, picks up dropped items, deep pressure therapy, comes to my aid if I fall and opens and closes doors. He has passed his Bronze Kennel club good citizen award and will soon take his silver. I have had the help of local trainers along the 2 year journey to assistance dog. He missed out on all his essential puppy socialisation so I am very proud of his achievements. He is my rock.
Image description: Benji settling under the table in a cafe. A bit of a squeez for a big lad.
Author: Moira