A life changing poodle

The main reason Grace McIntyre applied to Dogs for the Disabled for an assistance dog was to help her retrieve items, which she had dropped on the floor.

However, since early 2023 when assistance dog Mozart arrived by her side, he has become so much more than just a retriever; he is her faithful companion and he has also built Grace’s confidence beyond her expectations.

Seventeen-year-old Grace has a condition known as Morquio syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which Grace says affects “everything” including her bones and her ability to breathe. She has always been a “part time” wheelchair user however has been using it “more” over the past year and a half.

“I’d struggle bending down and breathing,” she tells the Celt, describing why she decided to apply to Dogs for the Disabled.

When the Celt visits Grace and Mozart at Carrigallen Vocational School, Mozart retrieves a lip gloss, which Grace drops on the floor and even picks up the Celt’s microphone when it tumbles to the ground too.

He immediately picks it up, and without chewing he waits for a forthcoming hand to drop the item into. It’s an incredible scene to behold.

He pulls down door handles to open the door for Grace and even presses the button to open electric doors.

The Standard Poodle can be guilty of falling asleep under the desk in class and also accidently tripping the teachers up with his long body and legs.

At home, he helps Grace undress and amazingly puts her clothes in the wash for her.

“He loves his Dentastix in return every night,” she says lovingly.

The poodle has “one hundred percent” changed Grace’s life.

“Mostly it’s confidence, he definitely has given me confidence.”

In what way?

“To speak to people, generally when you’re a wheelchair user people avoid you or they look at you funny but now they see him, they don’t see my disability.”

Dogs for the Disabled, which was founded by Jennifer Dowler, received Grace’s application for an assistance dog and got Mozart ready for Grace within three months.

“We went there and Mozart was there, and a month later we were back for training and he came home with us that week.”

The Aughavas girl felt “amazing” as soon as she began working with Mozart.

“The moment I was with him, it was totally different. Everything was so much easier and I had a friend who listened.”

For those who might meet a working dog, Grace says that when they have their harness on, they are working and should not be touched, no matter how tempting it is.

“Particularly more for people walking with the dog or guide dogs, and also for people like me in a wheelchair, if you distract the dog it can be quite dangerous.

“Mozart loves distraction. He loves people so if anyone calls him he’s just totally not focused on the job.”

Grace says he is “just a dog” when his harness comes off and people are welcome to shower him with attention, which he loves.

After speaking with the Celt, the pair headed off together to the CVS Christmas carol service on what was the second last day of school before Christmas holidays.

A very exciting time indeed.

Dogs for the Disabled have recently purchased a new premises, which they plan to renovate and use as their new headquarters. This would include on-site accommodation for clients who are training with their assistance dog.

As the Leitrim Dogs for the Disabled county champion, Grace has embarked on a campaign to raise funds for the new building as a way to give back to the organisation that has helped her so much.

So far, her idonate page has reached its target of €2,000, however Grace isn’t stopping there and plans to continue her campaign.

If you would like to donate, search ‘Grace and Mozart for Dogs For The Disabled’ on idonate.ie