Not all heroes are human
Even though Leo is in possession of a service dog cape and official documents, some business outlets are still not allowing him to enter their premises
Seven-year-old Arabella Hein was born with diastrophic dysplasia, a condition that has caused her to have multiple surgeries. The first surgery occurred when she was just 10 weeks old. Most recently, she underwent a hip surgery (last year), with another one planned for later this year to address her other hip.
It is well known that service dogs are used in cases of epilepsy and diabetes. In this case, Arabella’s medical condition also justified her to obtain a service dog. The idea of getting a service dog for Arabella initially began as a joke; a comment made in passing about needing one for peace of mind when she eventually heads off to university. However, as Arabella’s mobility issues intensified before her hip surgery last year, the notion of having a service dog became a serious consideration.
Arabella’s love for animals led her to the Vryheid Animal Welfare Society (VAWS), where she regularly volunteers to spend time with the cats and dogs. It was during one of these visits that Arabella met Leo. This was just before her hip surgery. Though the family didn’t adopt him immediately, they just couldn’t get over the perfect first encounter. Arabella’s mother, Lindi, was sitting next to her hospital bed just after she had an MRI and decided to send a WhatsApp message to VAWS, asking if Leo had been adopted and if not, could they place a hold on him – with a promise to sign the adoption papers as soon as they were back home. Arabella underwent multiple in-theatre manipulations where the doctor tried to correct her hip without surgery; it was during one of these that Lindi reserved Leo. They signed the adoption papers as soon as they got home. The idea was for Leo to simply be a pet for Arabella, but he instantly and almost automatically started doing tasks that assisted her. After her hip surgery, Leo’s suitability as a service dog was confirmed after evaluation by Lucy, the founder of Honeys Garden Medical Alert Dogs. Arabella’s orthopaedic surgeon also gave his approval, recognising the potential benefits of having a service dog to assist Arabella with her mobility challenges.
Leo’s training with Honeys Garden Medical Alert Dogs proved to be a seamless process, with him displaying a natural aptitude for helping Arabella. Following her recovery from surgery, formal training began and Leo quickly adapted to his role as Arabella’s mobility assistance dog.
Arabella’s reliance on Leo extends beyond physical support; he provides her with a sense of security and independence, allowing her to navigate the world with confidence. While she doesn’t always require a walker, Arabella’s limited mobility and fatigue make long distances challenging. Leo bridges this gap, enabling her to enjoy a sense of normalcy that would otherwise not be possible.
He performs several tasks: (1) counter balance, preventing her from falling while she walks, especially on uneven ground; (2) bracing for standing up or sitting down; (3) stability for climbing stairs or walking over cattle grids; (3) he acts as a cane, allowing her to walk longer distances; (4) he assists her in the bathroom, as she can hold onto him for balance when getting undressed and brace on him to get on the loo; (5) he also pulls her bike on very bad days when she can’t move or put weight on her leg without being in extreme pain.
Also, with regards to independence, Arabella is getting bigger and Lindi won’t always be able to pick her up to carry her. Leo provides that extra support so that Lindi can take her along to a clothing store and actually get the shopping done. This enables Lindi to have at least one hand free during their shopping trips.
Even though Leo is in possession of a service dog cape and official documents, some business outlets are still not allowing him to enter their premises. Lindi had a recent fight with a well-known chain clothing store regarding Leo. She managed to convince their head office that Leo was a service dog and also managed to convince them to change their policy regarding service dogs in the future. While the clothing store was hesitant about allowing service dogs, two other grocery outlets welcomed Leo and Arabella with open arms, no questions asked.
If everything goes according to plan, Leo will be his little human’s ‘wingman’ for the next 10 to 12 years.
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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
