Dear Sharon,

I WAS interested in your meeting with the police dog who is trained to sniff out explosives. It’s amazing what dogs can be trained to do. There are dogs who can sense when their owners are about to have an epileptic seizures and dogs to help children with autism, as well as dogs to help people with physical disabilities.

Some years ago, we were in a hotel when the fire alarm went off. The only other person in the lounge was a woman reading a menu, with a spaniel at her feet. When the alarm went off, the dog nudged the woman’s knee then lay on the floor as if he was stalking something, then stood up and lay down again looking at her while pawing her knee. We realised that the lady was deaf and that this was the dog’s way of telling her that there was danger and we were able to tell her about the alarm.

As well as helping, they provide companionship and affection. Assistance dogs can change lives.

Linda Kelly (by email)

  • You can find out more about the different sorts of assistance dogs on assistancedogs.org.uk