{"id":1087,"date":"2025-11-16T19:42:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T19:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=1087"},"modified":"2025-11-16T19:42:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-16T19:42:02","slug":"my-dog-saved-me-from-drowning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/?p=1087","title":{"rendered":"My dog saved me from drowning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWe are a team,\u201d says Cheryl Alexander of her canine partner, Tyrian, a beautiful black <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/dogs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Labrador;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Labrador<\/a> who celebrates his 11th birthday in February. \u201cIt would be easy, as a <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/business\/2025\/11\/04\/number-of-disabled-young-people-doubles-in-12-years\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:disabled person;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">disabled person<\/a>, to sit in this room for the rest of my life, but having an <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/christmas\/2025\/11\/06\/freak-accident-saviour-my-life-nearly-destroyed\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:assistance dog;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">assistance dog<\/a> gives me confidence to get out because we are a team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Despite his greying jowls, Tyrian is a bundle of playful energy, bounding out the front door and gifting me one of his cuddly toys upon my arrival, before positioning himself at Cheryl\u2019s feet in the sitting room of her home in <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/destinations\/europe\/united-kingdom\/england\/yorkshire\/york\/york-travel-guide\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:York;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">York<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">For the next hour, Tyrian rarely takes his big brown eyes off her \u2013 partly out of loyalty and partly because of the bag of crunchy chicken treats nearby.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Cheryl Alexander and her assistance dog, Tyrian, photographed in a living room\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Ls.Jzh5934_rWf4A46V6bQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYwMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_telegraph_258\/b39027f5bdfccc485d2d8e3d8daafe25\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Tyrian, Cheryl\u2019s black Labrador, celebrates his 11th birthday next February &#8211; Lorne Campbell\/Guzelian<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI am his only source of treats so I have always got a bag on me, but he would do anything for me without them,\u201d says Cheryl, 44, who was partnered with Tyrian in 2016 through <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/caninepartners.org.uk\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Canine Partners;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Canine Partners<\/a>, a charity that trains dogs to help people with <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/comment\/accessible-rail-travel-britain-disgrace\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:physical disabilities;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">physical disabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Since 1990, the team has trained approximately 1,000 dogs to assist with everyday tasks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cPart of the ongoing training is to keep them mentally stimulated. So, Tyrian\u2019s been taught commands in different languages, he knows hand signals and understands the difference between his left and my left,\u201d reveals Cheryl.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">At home, he picks up dropped items, helps with the <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/interiors\/home\/washing-machine-tips-telegraph-readers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:laundry;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">laundry<\/a> and even fetches shoes. \u201cIt is pot-luck what shoes I get,\u201d she admits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cHe helps with shopping too and likes to protect me from things that aren\u2019t dangerous such as the big plastic reindeer that pops up outside a local caf\u00e9 at <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/christmas\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Christmas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">Christmas<\/a>. It\u2019s the only time he barks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tyrian also accompanies her to York High School where she teaches chemistry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He stays in his own little office adjoining the science lab that is equipped with a memory foam bed, water and treats, unless he is needed. Typically, it is to pick up pen lids (\u201cI\u2019d be surrounded by them otherwise\u201d) or collect items from students to give to Cheryl and vice versa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Unsurprisingly, he is a big hit with the pupils. \u201cIf he\u2019s wearing his purple Canine Partners jacket, the kids know not to acknowledge him. If his jacket\u2019s off, they may ask to fuss him, so I make a point of taking him around without his jacket. And during GCSEs, I\u2019ll ask: \u2018Does anyone need puppy love?\u2019 to help calm nerves.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Cheryl Alexander and her assistance dog, Tyrian\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/4t9IwwUJLniY_C_9zVJTJA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYwMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_telegraph_258\/d7cd6869be507c0652e7124090a6e59c\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>If Tyrian is wearing his purple jacket in school, Cheryl\u2019s pupils know not to fuss or acknowledge him &#8211; Lorne Campbell\/Guzelian<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tyrian is the second assistance dog Cheryl\u2019s been paired with through Canine Partners. His predecessor was a serious-natured golden retriever named Orca whose heroic actions went beyond everyday duties \u2013 they saved Cheryl\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In 2003, Cheryl and Orca were walking along a country track when her motorised wheelchair hit a rock, and she plunged waist-deep into a water-filled ditch. Pinned in her 300-pound chair, Cheryl sent Orca to get help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI didn\u2019t think he\u2019d be able to do it because so many things had to align. We were in the middle of nowhere on a rainy day. Not only did Orca need to find someone, but someone who would listen to him, and he had to do it before time ran out,\u201d says Cheryl who had only been partnered with Orca a few weeks prior to the accident.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But like an episode of <em>Lassie<\/em>, Orca determinedly set off on his mission. It later transpired he tried to alert a passer-by who misunderstood the situation and attempted to lead him away. Orca disobeyed his training and slipped out of his collar so he could continue his search and found a runner about a mile away from the incident.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cThey told me Orca would not leave him alone, barking and running away as if to say, \u2018Come on, follow me\u2019 and he did. And I am so grateful. Initially I\u2019d felt embarrassment because I couldn\u2019t get myself out of the situation, but that had turned to fear quite quickly,\u201d recalls Cheryl who was close to unconsciousness after the two-hour ordeal and taken to hospital for <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/health-fitness\/conditions\/cold-flu\/what-cold-weather-does-to-your-body-risks\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:hypothermia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">hypothermia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Emergency services later confirmed she would have likely died without Orca\u2019s persistence. In recognition of his extraordinary actions, Orca was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal in 2006 \u2013 the highest honour for a non-military dog and the animal equivalent of the George Cross.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI had family dogs growing up, but never labs and retrievers. In fact, I had always thought retrievers were a bit daft, but with Orca I felt I could do anything,\u201d says Cheryl who has attained three <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/money\/jobs\/mickey-mouse-masters-degrees-could-cut-your-salary\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:master\u2019s degrees;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">master\u2019s degrees<\/a> across chemistry and education.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI probably wouldn\u2019t have stayed at university after I broke both arms in a fall if it hadn\u2019t been for Orca. If I hadn\u2019t stayed on, I wouldn\u2019t have met my husband there, and then I wouldn\u2019t have my three daughters [aged 12, 10 and 7.] But Orca also made adventures possible because I didn\u2019t worry as much about going to places or trying new things and I found people were more likely to strike up conversation as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Cheryl Alexander and her previous assistance dog, Orca\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/eAu13c_Mnf_vntPe6ELVdw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYwMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_telegraph_258\/63b2c84c93d826c8524fe07b78c74cdf\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Cheryl says her previous assistance dog, Orca, made her feel she could do anything \u2013 including the Hull 10k &#8211; Cheryl Alexander<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Orca and Tyrian have allowed Cheryl to experience a life she once believed to be out of reach. Aged 13, a mystery virus damaged her brain and <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/health-fitness\/wellbeing\/mental-health\/5-ways-to-exercise-the-vagus-nerve-and-cure-your-anxiety\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:nervous system;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">nervous system<\/a> leaving her with limited mobility on the left side of her body. \u201cI was walking with a stick and then crutches but at the time I did not want anything to do with wheelchairs, but I just got slower and slower.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">At 18, she was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), a <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/chronic-pain\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:chronic;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">chronic<\/a> condition that causes enduring pain. At the same time, she began studying chemistry at the University of York. It was a turning point. Unable to get from one class to the next, she agreed to a wheelchair out of necessity. \u201cAnd I loved it,\u201d she says. The wheelchair provided greater freedom, but day-to-day activities, especially those that required bending over and picking up, remained painfully challenging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Then Cheryl discovered Canine Partners in 2002. \u201cI was appointed disability students officer at the Student Union and was going through an overflowing filing cabinet when I spotted a leaflet. Until then, I didn\u2019t know assistance dogs existed,\u201d says Cheryl. She then successfully applied to be partnered with a dog and visited the charity\u2019s base in Loughborough to spend time with Orca.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&amp;#39;I probably wouldn&amp;#39;t have stayed at university if it hadn&amp;#39;t been for Orca,&amp;#39; says Cheryl\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"955\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/9lXbajAOZ1tY07K0DsMcjw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk1NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_telegraph_258\/a8a7cb7df6270ec284178591a1cdd768\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>\u2018I probably wouldn\u2019t have stayed at university if it hadn\u2019t been for Orca,\u2019 says Cheryl<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt\u2019s ultimately a partnership, so there has to be a bond, a bit like a marriage, and thankfully Orca was like, yep, I love this one. But then, Canine Partners are very good at putting the right dog with the right person,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cSuddenly, I didn\u2019t have to worry about planning everything with such military precision. Before, if I dropped my keys and no one was around, I was stuffed, but not any more. It seems small, but you gain so much independence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Orca retired on his 12th birthday and as was Cheryl\u2019s wish, he was signed over to her. \u201cThe jacket was returned, and he was then my pet dog. He couldn\u2019t go to the supermarket any more, but my boss allowed him to continue coming to school. And the truth is, I couldn\u2019t really stop him working. He still wanted to pick up pens. I just didn\u2019t ask him any more. It was all on his terms.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Cheryl Alexander&amp;#39;s forst assistance dog, Orca\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/C8zQdqzp2MAlIhFIwK6MwQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYwMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_telegraph_258\/31661ba5590b2691d31f59118b48f08e\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Orca retired on his 12th birthday, but remained with Cheryl as a pet &#8211; Lorne Campbell\/Guzelian<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Orca passed away in 2014, and Cheryl keeps his collar on the corner of her bed as a constant reminder of their great friendship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI was then six months pregnant with my middle child, so it wasn\u2019t feasible to get another dog straight away. Tasks did become harder, but I worked through it on the basis I wanted to get another dog as soon as possible, not just because I wanted help with things, but there was this dog-shaped hole in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Cheryl Alexander with her assistance dog, Tyrian, in York\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/CEIQk0I6YWBe7vLIzdiDpQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYwMDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/the_telegraph_258\/1c8ec3282a429273b0d0300694583588\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Tyrian will spend his retirement with Cheryl as a pet, just as Orca did &#8211; Lorne Campbell\/Guzelian<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tyrian arrived in her life two years after Orca\u2019s passing. When it is time for Tyrian to hang up his jacket, he\u2019ll be signed over to Cheryl, as Orca was, to enjoy his retirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cHe\u2019s healthy as an ox, so I don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to be gone anytime soon, but I wouldn\u2019t get another dog while he is here. It would break his heart if he saw me head off in the morning with a different dog. He\u2019s given me the best years of his life, so I\u2019m not going to do that to him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But when Tyrian does pass on, Cheryl will look to Canine Partners for a new buddy as the relationships she has forged with Orca and Tyrian have been transformative, both personally and professionally.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt changes your mindset being part of a team, and the confidence is empowering,\u201d says Cheryl, who won the Master Educator\u2019s Award for outstanding school leadership at The Educators\u2019 Trust Awards earlier this year, in recognition of her teaching and advocacy work for students facing adversity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cNot just disability but people who have limited means, people whose family members have never been to university, showing them that it is possible. If I can do it, so can you,\u201d adds Cheryl who was fostered at 14 by a family who instilled a love of learning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cAnd I have been so lucky to have these incredible dogs in my life. They have given me the strength and courage to enjoy a life I never thought possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-4\"\/>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Canine Partners is one of four charities supported by this year\u2019s Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal. The others are Prostate Cancer Research, Motor Neurone Disease Association, The Not Forgotten. To make a donation, please visit <\/em><a class=\"link \" href=\"http:\/\/telegraph.co.uk\/appeal2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:telegraph.co.uk\/appeal2025;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\"><em>telegraph.co.uk\/appeal2025<\/em><\/a><em> or call 0151 317 5247<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/customer\/subscription\/store\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><b>Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cWe are a team,\u201d says Cheryl Alexander of her canine partner, Tyrian, a beautiful black Labrador who celebrates his 11th birthday in February. \u201cIt would be easy, as a disabled person, to sit in this room for the rest of my life, but having an assistance dog gives me confidence to get out because we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1087"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1087\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pe-ts.fun\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}