THERE’S more to pet dog Jake than going for walks and chasing after sticks.

The five-year-old German shepherd is in training to become a fully qualified assistance dog for his owner Maddy Hemp.

Ms Hemp, 43, from Brighton has multiple sclerosis, advanced osteoporosis and lupus, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells.

Her balance, co-ordination and strength are affected and she suffers from extreme fatigue.

She is mostly reliant on a mobility scooter or power chair and her weakness and tremor make it hard for her to hold on to objects or pick them up when dropped.

Ms Hemp, who is unable to work, got Jake as a puppy and he was 18 months when she heard about the charity Dog AID.

The charity provides dog training for people with physical disabilities.

Ms Hemp said: “Jake had already made a huge difference in my life as my pet dog.

“I live alone since my husband and I separated, so Jake’s companionship has always been hugely important to me.

“Now he is able to help me in a more physical way, it is even more reassuring.

“Jake picks up everything I drop, from my purse to my phone to my walking stick, even fiddly things like coins or hairbands.

“This is particularly important as my mobility is restricted and my osteoporosis makes it dangerous for me to attempt to reach, bend and twist.

Ms Hemp has carers in each day for a few hours at a time so when they leave she has to be able to manage alone.

She said: “Now Jake helps me with tasks around the house I feel a lot more confident on my own.

“He removes my socks, shoes and other clothing, zips and unzips my medication cases and scooter bag.

“He brings me my mobile and home phone, finds my medication and dressings bags anywhere in the house and brings me my carelink phone activation button.

“He also tugs open and pushes shut doors, presses buttons such as door openers and lifts as well as passing articles such as my purse to others at the till.”

Ms Hemp said that since Jake had been accepted on to the training programme, he was her carer and link to independence in the outside world.

She said: “Dog AID has transformed and enriched our lives so very much and I cannot thank them or my trainer enough.

“Feeling safe inside my home with Jake is one thing, but the big one for me is when I leave the house. I now feel confident that when I drop things or need help, I am no longer reliant on others because Jake can do it for me.

“He allows me to be independent, which was perfectly illustrated by me recently attending the Pride festival this year without a carer. He also helps me avoid the social isolation so many disabled people experience, as people inevitably want to talk to us about what Jake does.

“This also gives me some much needed dignity back, as I can be proud of my achievement in training Jake to this level.

“From day one Jake has been my world – my partner, my child and constant companion.

“Since being accepted on the Dog A.I.D. programme, he has become so much more. He is my carer, my link to independence in the outside world and he loves being with me helping everywhere we go.”

Dog A.I.D. has transformed and enriched our lives so very much and I can’t thank them or my trainer enough for what they have done for us.

About Dog A.I.D.

Dog A.I.D. provides pet dog training to people over fifteen years old with physical disabilities up to Assistance Dog standard where suitable.

Dog A.I.D. was established in the 1990’s and there are currently 74 fully qualified dogs and 92 in training throughout the country.

Training takes from 18 months to two years with both dog and owner receiving specialist education from a network of trainers based around the country.

Dog A.I.D. is now a national voluntary organisation accredited by the National and International umbrella groups, which uphold the high standards required for Assistance Dog training.