Nine-year-old black Labrador named Rowley is a medical alert dog who has supported his owner, Megan, for eight years. He has helped her remain safe, independent, and confident despite her multiple disabilities.
Rowley has been awarded a commendation by PDSA because of his excellent dedication. This charity claims that he has detected over 6,000 medical emergencies experienced by his owner.
A Lifesaving Companion
Megan is a person who suffers from multiple disabilities. These include poor vision, deafness in one ear, mobility problems, and Crohn’s disease. Thus, Rowley is crucial to Megan’s life.
In 2018, Megan began working with Rowley. Ever since, Rowley has been functioning as a guide dog, a disability assistance dog, and a medical alert dog.
Most importantly, Rowley can rely on his smell detection abilities to detect the change prior to Megan losing consciousness. As per PDSA, sometimes he is able to alert her as much as seven minutes ahead of time.
How the Medical Alert Dog Helps Megan
Rowley performs many tasks that help Megan avoid danger and manage emergencies.
- Megan from fainting spells and seizures.
- He prevents Megan from entering traffic where there may be danger.
- Emergency cords are pulled by him in disabled toilets.
- During an emergency, he opens doors for the paramedics.
- He assists Megan to avoid any injury.
- He facilitates the work and independence of Megan.
As a result, Rowley has become an essential part of Megan’s everyday life.
Supporting Her Career and Community Work
In addition to being her doctor, Rowley has assisted in making Megan a competent professional and citizen.
Megan is one of the employees at Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, where she facilitates disability awareness and rights programs as well as runs a peer support group.
According to Megan, Rowley was responsible for all these successes. Megan calls Rowley her “steadfast companion” who saved hundreds from injuries.
“‘Everything that I have done in the last eight years would not have been possible without Rowley having been there with me all along,’ she said.”
A Remarkable Partnership
Rowley is retiring once he turns ten years old in October. It marks the end of eight years of exceptional service.
Director General of PDSA Jan McLoughlin described Rowley as an “everyday hero,” whose affection and devotion have the potential to change people’s lives.
Megan sees Rowley not only as her guide dog but also as her companion, protector, and partner. Besides that, Rowley’s exceptional service shows how guide dogs can increase their owners’ safety and confidence.
References Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j3885l5edo
