An Oxfordshire man has revealed the life-changing impact that his assistance dog from Dogs for Good has made.
Simon Cook (58), from Bicester, has a neurological disease that has spread through his body and uses a wheelchair. Before this, he worked as an assistant golf professional and, after adjusting to life in a wheelchair, became a record-breaking paraplegic athlete. But shot put champion Simon says he really suffered from the isolation of the first covid-19 lockdown from March last year so welcomed news that he was to get an assistance dog from Dogs for Good.
Dogs for Good receives 5,000 enquiries a year for its services and fortunately was able to find the perfect match for Simon in the form of yellow Labrador retriever cross, Axel – and the pair clicked instantly.
“I suddenly found myself wanting to go out and enjoy life and because I had Axel I met so many new people and made loads of friends,” he said.
“He goes everywhere with me now, to hospital appointments, to the pub, on trips to Scotland and shopping, we are inseparable. He’s the inspiration for me getting up in the morning, it’s as simple as that otherwise I don’t think I’d bother.”
