Canine Companions

Nothing completes a family more than a canine companion. Not only are our four-legged friends loyal, loveable and full of fun, they can also be trusted guardians for those who need extra help.

Jango who came into Kim Murphy’s life three and a half years ago and has been by her side day and night ever since. 

Kim has always loved dogs, but it was not until she became blind unexpectedly just over five years ago, that she became completely dependent on one to help her manage day to day life.

“I lost my sight suddenly about five and a half years ago following a rare side effect to some medication I was taking,” she says. “One minute I was driving around the countryside, living life to the full and, within a very short space of time, I had lost most of my vision and my whole world was turned upside down. 

“It was really horrendous, and I found it very difficult to get used to the shock – almost immediately I had lost my independence and, as someone who is usually very outgoing, I lost my confidence too, which was a major problem.”

Kim, who is married to Anthony and has four grown up children, spent some time trying to adjust to her new life before she finally received Jango, the guide dog who would help her manage her newly dark world and keep her safe while she was out and about. 

“When most people think of guide dogs, their first thought is, of course, the important job they do of keeping you safe when crossing the road,” she says. “Jango does this by guiding me around obstacles such as café tables, signs and other street furniture, which are abundant since the pandemic happened. When you are sighted, you never notice these things, as you navigate them automatically. But when you can’t see them, they become a great hazard.

“I know we have reached a kerb or a step as he stops and places his body in front of me so I know that I shouldn’t walk on. I know that I have to either step up or step down. And when we reach a road we need to cross; he will stop and wait. We both listen for the sound of the ‘green man’ or the traffic stopping and when I think we are ready to go, I will say ‘straight on’. However, if he doesn’t think it is safe, he will go against my wishes and refuse to budge – this is called intelligent disobedience and it is very important. Mind you, there have been several occasions when the road has been clear and we have gone across only to have a car break the lights or attempt to go across the pelican crossing when we are on it. On these occasions, Jango has stopped in the middle of the road and forced the car to stop, he really is wonderful.”

Aside from keeping Kim safe from harm, Jango has also proved to be a wonderful companion for her and she says she cannot imagine how life would be without him. 

“When I lost my sight suddenly it was a huge shock and my confidence disappeared completely,” she admits. “This was a major problem for me, and it was also incredibly lonely, as even if you are in a room full of people, when you can’t see them, it makes you feel very alone. But as soon as I got Jango, that all changed. I trusted him from the very first time we went out together and gladly walked down the street with him, knowing that he is keeping me safe and this knowledge gave me the confidence to go out. He is also my constant companion so even if I am in a coffee shop with people talking all around me, I don’t feel alone anymore as he is always with me. 

“And although I can’t see him, I know he is the most handsome dog in the world and his presence is a conversation starter as people come up and talk to me about him, so he helps with socialising also. 

“I am blessed in so many ways with Jango – he is my saviour, and we have a great bond. And the longer we are together, the stronger the bond is, I trust him with my life.” 

Kim is one of many people across Ireland who put their faith in a specially trained dog. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind provides this essential service not only to people with impaired vision but also to children with autism. And at the end of 2018, there were almost 170 working Guide Dog Partnerships across the country and over 240 working Assistance Dog Partnerships, which were trained and supported by the charity. 

Gillian Lynch is big supporter of Irish Guide Dogs as her son Conor benefits greatly from the assistance of his dog Toby.

“Conor (15) has non-verbal autism and moderate learning difficulties,” she says. “He was a flight risk and would always be running off or stepping out in front of traffic. So, I applied for an assistance dog for him when he was five and we waited over two years for the right match.

“I primarily wanted to get the dog for safety reasons. When we first got him, Conor would wear a harness attached to Toby and hold on to the handle when he was out walking. This was brilliant as he couldn’t run away but, funnily enough, as soon as he started going out with Toby, he didn’t want to run away. And even when we were in the supermarket, which would normally have been a very overwhelming environment and often would cause him to run around screaming, if he was holding Toby’s handle, he was calm and relaxed. He seemed to enjoy the purpose of being out with his dog. 

“These days, at 5ft 7in and 11 stone, he is too big for the harness and it wouldn’t be fair on Toby to have to deal with that. But Conor still happily holds onto the handle – I think it makes him feel secure and grounded as well as being kept safe.”

The Dublin woman, who is married to Ger and has an older son (Jamie, 18) says that while they acquired Toby initially in order to protect Conor, he has become an important part of the family and has enhanced all their lives. 

“Toby has brought so many benefits that I hadn’t even considered,” she says. “Initially my first thought was safety, but the friendship which has blossomed is wonderful. Conor doesn’t really have any friends but, since Toby arrived, he now has a companion. They have a lovely bond, and I would often see Conor cracking up laughing at something Toby has done or just sitting on the sofa with his feet rubbing Toby’s fur. 

“He has definitely been a calming influence. I can’t explain why, but Toby seems to have made the environment more secure for Conor. This is something that hadn’t even occurred to me before we got him. 

“He is very much part of the family and Jamie also really loves him. He has created a common ground between the two boys. Prior to his arrival, they didn’t share any interests, so he has brought them together. And when the boys go to school, he is also a companion to me. He comes running with me because I think it is better for Conor to have a little time away from him. Otherwise, he would become too dependent on him. Toby also needs a break. 

“Assistance and Guide Dogs are beneficial on so many levels. I don’t think people don’t realise just how strong the bond can be. We all love Toby and now can’t imagine what life would be like without him.”

For more information, visit guidedogs.ie