The Irish Times - Saturday, January 30, 2010

Aggie the Labrador becomes Jack's helpmate

Jack Caldwell graduating from a special training programme with his helper Aggie yesterday. Minister for Health Mary Harney presented Irish Dogs for the Disabled with €75,000.
Photograph: Cyril Byrne

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STEVEN CARROLL

A BOY travelled home to Co Clare last night in the company of a new friend after he and his assistance dog graduated from a special training programme.

Jack Caldwell (9), from Ennis, and golden Labrador Aggie were brought together under a scheme operated by the charity Irish Dogs for the Disabled. The charity trains dogs, over six to eight months, to meet the everyday needs of its clients.

The dogs learn to assist their owner in tasks such as opening doors, collecting the post, emptying the washing-machine and retrieving items.

In Aggie’s case, she will help Jack, who suffers from ataxic cerebral palsy, to become more stable, mobile and confident in his movement. As a result of his condition, Jack experiences balance problems and previously moved with the aid of a walking frame.

Aggie has been trained as a stability dog, meaning Jack can walk holding her harness on one side and using a stick on the other. Jack’s mother, Emer Sherry, said that since he first met Aggie for two weeks of training in December, Jack had become more confident and happy.

“In his mind, the burden of going out in public with a visible disability had been lifted,” she said. “Aggie attracts all the attention. When people meet Jack and Aggie, they stop to admire her and ask him what her name is.

“He loves this and has become more sociable and less fearful of having to speak to both friends and strangers as a result.”

Minister for Health Mary Harney yesterday met Jack and Aggie to congratulate them on their graduation and to present Irish Dogs for the Disabled with a cheque for €75,000, which was sanctioned from this year’s National Lottery Fund.