Tribute paid to much-loved assistance dog who saved Hest Bank owner's life many times

Wendy Hilling lost her assistance dog Teddy to cancer on May 5. He was 13.

Wendy said Teddy had saved her life ‘over and over’ by raising the alarm when she stopped breathing during the night, as well as occasions when she collapsed at home.

The 71-year-old has a rare genetic condition called EB (epidermolysis bullosa) which causes her skin to blister or break at the slightest touch, as well as causing her airway to swell shut.

Teddy was trained to wake Wendy's husband Peter at night if her breathing stopped, as well as to use a call button to alert the ambulance service.

But he also helped day to day, doing everything from helping her to undress and take shoes off to loading and unloading the washing machine, handing her bus pass to drivers and even taking money out of a cashpoint.

Wendy wrote a book of their journey together called My Life in His Paws, which has now been produced in five different languages.

Originally from Devon, Wendy and Peter moved to Hest Bank three years ago and last year were joined by new Canine Partner retriever Carmen, now two, who began to take on Teddy’s duties.

Wendy said: "Teddy has made a difference to so many lives since we have lived here, and because of coronavirus I am unable to let everybody know and thank them for being part of his life."

Teddy was not only a lifesaving Canine Partner but he was also a Pets As Therapy dog and a school reading talk.

"He listened to the children read at Westgate Primary School, and he visited the district nurses at Carnforth when they held monthly afternoon teas for their patients," Wendy said.

"He was well-known at Bolton-le-Sands Tuesday hub at the Trinity Church. We actually did a book signing at Bolton-le-Sands library. My book was launched at Crufts.

"We did a talk at Cubs in Morecambe where they made him an honorary member of the cub scouts movement.

"Teddy was a great hit at Cancercare at Slynedales where he not only accompanied me to the craft group but he also comforted many people who attended there.

"One A&E doctor in Lancaster hospital said every A&E should have a dog like Teddy as both patients and staff were calmer with him there. He accompanied me many times to the dermatology department for my check-ups after cancer.

"There was never a sad face anywhere when Teddy was about. He truly was a dog in a million."

Teddy had previously attended Lancaster Priory for a Canine Partners fundraising event to raise funds for a puppy called Lancaster who would go onto acompany and help a disabled person.

He had also appeared on television four times and featured in numerous national newspapers and magazines.

Teddy had previously won an award from the PDSA charity for his lifesaving abilities.

He was also the British Olympic medical team mascot for the 2012 London Olympics, and had all his birthdays at Olympic HQ.

Wendy is now hoping to write a second book to continue the story of her journey with Teddy and Carmen.

She has set up a JustGiving page in Ted’s memory to raise money for Canine Partners. Anyone who would like to donate can do so here