What's up dog?

Golden retrievers and labradors are known to be happy go-lucky dogs, but I honestly challenge anyone to find a dog happier with his lot in life than Brody. Every day to him is the best day ever, and he's happiest when he knows he's helping someone, whether that's me, my carers, or anyone he meets.

Bred by Guide Dogs NZ, and trained as one for the first few years of his life, Brody's career changed to become a Mobility Dog in 2020, where it was clear he'd found the perfect job.

Just like humans, dogs have jobs they do and don't like (although I think dogs like working in general more than humans!), and it is a skill of the disability assist dog organisations to be able to see what job a dog is best suited to. Despite long wait lists and eager clients, they always put the happiness of the dog first - and for that I couldn't be more grateful, as it meant I was perfectly matched with Brody.

While the difference between a Guide Dog and a Mobility Dog may not seem obvious initially, as a Mobility Dog, Brody's job is to follow my lead (not to be responsible for leading/guiding). He's not responsible for my safety, but everything he does for me helps keeps me safe.

He is half golden retriever, half Labrador (aka the best of both worlds), and if you met him with and without his jacket, you'd think he was two different dogs! People are always amazed when they meet him under different circumstances, and see his different personalities - he is so focussed and serious while working, and such a clown when off duty.

But even with all the parks and playtime in the world, it's clear he's happiest when it's time to put on his jacket and go to work.

There's no job too big or small for him, or apparently, too tricky. He loves working out how to complete something, and his tail wags even faster than usual when he finally figures it out.

After three years with Brody, I still find it hard to sum up all the ways he helps me - because I simply couldn't imagine life without him. Through his support day to day I am able to retain my independence, and even run a small business from home that brings purpose and connection.

Brody is my helper, my best friend, my support and my cheerleader. He is my arms and legs, my courier and my doorbell. He gives me a reason to get up each day, but more than that, he helps me to manage my health and energy as best I can, to be able to get up each day and care for him.

Brody allows me to manage my energy, as well as save energy in countless ways. Brody can bring me my medication, fetch things from the floor or another room when I’m bed bound, or go get my husband for help. He is trained to open and shut doors, to bark on command for help, and to ‘brace’ to help me get up off the floor. He also provides Deep Pressure Therapy where he lays across my legs or chest which helps lower my heart rate, and helps with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Without this, many tasks would be impossible, as I would spend twice as much time recovering from them as I spend doing them.

He supports me at medical appointments, and provides a moment of humanity - where we can talk about something other than symptoms and management.

Over the last year, Brody has continued to help me with everything I need - big or small - which has enabled me to go on several trips away for important family events or occasions, which I would have missed without his help.

Even so, I am still discovering new ways Brody can help me, and he is constantly finding new ways to amaze me without being trained to. It has been fascinating over the last year or so to see how much more he has grown and developed the longer we’ve been together. He can now link tasks together, and use his brain to work out how to do something complicated - for instance, one of his frequent jobs is to fetch my medication. Now he can not only knows how to fetch it from any room (even when away from home), but can work out by himself how to get it if it’s hidden or behind a closed door etc. This kind of problem solving and connecting the dots (searching the room - opening a door - searching another room - retrieving - bringing them back to me) is really unique and special, and he constantly blows me away with how clever he is.

But to keep a balance, we have some silly tasks that we do together just for fun, such as playing hide and seek, tug, or even guitar! He also understands the command “choose”, and one of his favourite things is getting to choose a new toy at the store.

He enables me to run my small business, Books for Less, which I set up after becoming disabled. Not only does he assist in all the practical ways, he’s also become somewhat of a mascot, and as our “bookshop dog”, he constantly brightens peoples day with his silly antics and amazing tasks through social media. In fact, he’s become rather famous, and even gets recognised on the street.

Running my business wouldn’t be possible without Brody. It allows me to give back to the charities and community groups who have supported me, though monthly fundraisers such as our May fundraiser that helped to raise over $550 for people living with M.E. in NZ.

As a wheelchair user, Brody’s help is truly invaluable. He loves carrying shopping baskets and bags, and it’s always funny to see the difference in the way he walks and holds himself, when he knows he’s helping.

But again, Brody’s impact can be seen in a more abstract way too. Having Brody next to me while in my wheelchair means people connect with me in a different way - they see me as a whole person, and interact with me, rather than avoiding me. While I obviously wish it wasn’t so, I am thankful every time that I have Brody to provide that connection.

In many ways, Brody has an impact not only on me, but to those around me.

He provides peace of mind for my husband, who was struggling with carer fatigue before Brody came into our lives. Knowing that I always have assistance and am safe at home, means he can “switch off” his carer brain, and find a better balance day to day. Brody also encourages him to look after his own health, by going for walks together daily, playing in the backyard, and making us laugh every single day. They have a weekly routine of going for long bush walks on Sundays together which we’ve named their “Sunday adventures”.

Brody brings joy to people wherever he goes. He has an innate ability to sense people’s moods and needs, and will modulate his behaviour based on the needs of the people around him. At my local chronic illness support group, he is able to sense who needs a little extra support, and will lean his full weight against them to provide comfort, or rest his head on their feet under the table.

Brody is an amazing “Ambassadog” for Mobility Dogs, and loves showing the younger puppies in training ‘how it’s done’ during training sessions, and we were privileged to be able to share our story help highlight the incredible mahi of Mobility Dogs on Dog Squad: Puppy School in episodes 5 & 6 of season four.

I like to say Brody keeps me connected to the world. He provides companionship when I am home alone day after day, preventing the loneliness and isolation that so often comes with long-term illness and disability. He helps me monitor my health, often by showing me through his actions that I need to take a break, or sit down before I risk fainting, or any number of other amazing things.

I can't really even begin to sum up how much Brody has continued to changed my life. His companionship and ability to make me smile can never be quantified, as well as the confidence he gives me in every situation. He gives me purpose and hope, and has brought so much joy to my life.

What else can I say? He’s a companion, a support, a mobility aid, a carer, and a best friend, all wrapped in one VERY cute package.