MIDWEEK
Three years ago, a golden Labrador Retriever changed Bridget McLaren's life.
Bridget, 23, who has cerebal palsy, could live more independently thanks to Goldie, who was trained specifically to help her.
"I couldn't imagine my life without him," she says. "If he wasn't here I'd still be struggling with some things."
Since being paired with Goldie, Bridget's life had improved in more ways than one.
She now has her own business, participates in cycle treks and goes to the gym.
But the biggest achievement for Bridget is living on her own, mother Prue McLaren says.
"When Bridget lived at home, she was very reluctant to stay on her own."
"She was very reluctant to go anywhere, and now, since she has had Goldie it's completely different."
Bridget moved into her grandmother's self-contained unit a year ago when her grandmother relocated to a rest home.
She now pays rent, does domestic chores and cooks her own meals, with Goldie there to help.
"One of the best things Goldie helps me with is doing my washing," she says.
"He gets the basket and takes it out of the front loader.
"He can also turn the lights on and off and open doors if I need him to.
With over 90 commands stored in his brain, Goldie also helped Bridget with her digital business, which she does from home.
"I do digital copy from VHS to DVD, so I transfer people's home movies and photos on to disks.
"He picks up anything I drop on the floor, which is a big help."
A bonus for Bridget is when she and Goldie are out and about in the community.
"Before I got Goldie people would talk to the person behind me pushing my wheelchair," she says.
"Now they talk to me."
Bridget said Goldie is more than just a clever dog.
"Basically he's my security, independence, companion and protector."
In November, Bridget and Goldie will attend the first mobility dog camp in Auckland with other recipients from around the country.
"We'll do dog agility and refresher courses to keep up his training, and get to see other mobility dog recipients too," she said.
Goldie is the only mobility dog in Wairarapa, and is the third dog to be trained through the puppies prisons programme.
Mobility Dogs Charitable Trust works with pre-release inmates to help train puppies for the organisation.
The trust has been operating for around 10 years and has 45 dogs placed in communities around New Zealand.
Bridget would like to thank Wairarapa CCS disability service, Mobility Dogs Chariatable Trust and CBR Norwood Trust for all of their support.
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