“INSPIRATIONAL”, “absolutely moving” and “puts our complaints into perspective” were some of the words and phrases from our members following the talk by Stella Hewitt (not forgetting her dog Jenson) at our April meeting .

Independence is taken for granted until it is lost and in a matter of seconds in 1998 Stella Hewitt lost hers by virtue of a drunk driver and thought it was lost forever.

So much so she was in the black depths of despair cutting up all photographs of her “previous life”

and was dependent on carers.

Fortuitously a few years ago an occupational therapist suggested Canine Partners (caninepartners.org.uk) and Jenson has been her route back to independence and getting rid of her human carers (however kind!).

Stella’s slides and talk showed how Jenson does everything to help her with her everyday living by passing towels in the shower, helping with dressing and undressing, putting washing in the washing machine, taking milk out of the fridge, taking items off supermarket shelves, passing over Stella’s purse for payment and keeping it safe on return. The list is unending.

Jenson is a working dog specifically trained to meet all of Stella’s needs and focusing entirely on her.

He also has his fun times with his walks each day and has been known to roll in the mud with much enjoyment. The bond between them is unique.

Stella is now embarking on a journey to Scotland with Jenson as her sole companion to talk to others and to raise further funds for Canine Partners.

On a cold April evening all the members of North Claines could not be but uplifted by Stella and Jenson.

HEATHER PITTS