By Monica Chard
We are familiar with seeing guide dogs and understand how their assistance can empower and support a person to lead a full life. But how about a dog who is trained to sense a change in heart rate? An impending black out? Even before the person concerned knows anything is wrong. Such a dog is Sparrow, a 4 year old golden retriever, who lives in Sunbury.
Sparrow has changed the life of owner Libbi Mattick and their story is truly a film waiting to be made.
Libbi was diagnosed with a post viral condition in her teens. It has since been identified as ME, a condition which leaves her exhaust-ed, prone to fainting and which controls her day to day life. There are some 200,000 sufferers of ME in the UK, but it is a difficult condition to understand. Since Long Covid has hit the news, more is recognised about the debilitating effect of a post viral condition, and as such, what living with ME is like.
In her early 20’s Libbi met her partner Irving and took a trip out to Florida where he has family. It was on a visit to Disney World, on a good day for Libbi, that the pair noticed a group of dogs under training and socialisation. Libbi was fascinated with dog training, so they popped over to have a chat. That moment changed Libbi’s life.
The pair became friends with the trainers and visited the dogs in training. When two pups came on the scene and Libbi was hand-ed a fluffy bundle with a “hold this one”, her heart melted. The pup was being socialised, but was destined as an assistance dog for a lady called Kayla. Dogs will go through months of training, much tailored to the individuals needs. In talking about how a dog can help, it became clear to Libbi that an assistance dog would enable her to gain confidence, freedom and safety. Libbi had bonded with little pup Sparrow. Although they were not meant to be together it planted a seed of thought. On returning to the UK, Libbi and Irving looked into the option of sourcing a suitable assistance dog here. It quickly emerged that this would not be easy. They could find organisations providing training and dogs to support people with some conditions and disabilities (e.g. Guide Dogs for the Blind), but any dog suitable to support any of Libbi’s medical issues was another matter. Libbi and Irving kept in contact with the trainers and visited Sparrow again some months later, Sparrow squeaking with delight at being reunited with Libbi. At this point it had emerged that Sparrow might not be suitable for Kayla. Oh wow….Could this be meant to happen?….Libbi was offered the chance to have her instead.
Fast forward to today. Sparrow is an adorable, soppy dog. She is friendly to everyone. But make no mistake. As soon as she senses a change in Libbi, she alerts her. She recognises her behaviour, will sense an oncoming anxiety attack, an ‘absence’, a black out episode which leaves Libbi vulnerable and confused. Sparrow knows how to find Irving and ask for help. She is trained in a collapse and recovery response, bringing Libbi round and reassuring her, fetching emergency medication and a drink bottle for Libbi. She is also trained to pick things up off the floor, including washing, as for Libbi the act of bending over can bring on debilitating dizziness leading to faints.
Being in crowds can bring on panic attacks for Libbi. Irving has always been by her side, but the fact that they now have Sparrow even gives him more freedom. Sparrow will lead Libbi out on command and go and find Irving if needed.
You might see Sparrow out for a walk in Sunbury Park, being a normal dog. But if you see her wearing her support dog vest then she is working and is not to be disturbed.