A TOWY Valley woman has spoken of the vital support her therapy dog has in providing emotional and physical support.

Liz Hambley suffers from hypoglycaemia, fibromyalgia and a severe form of arthritis.

The hypoglycaemia means that the 69-year-old from Llandeilo produces too much insulin and she is at risk of losing consciousness – having a ‘hypo’ – at any time.

Liz, is unable to go out on her own in case she has a ‘hypo.’ “It’s like I’m asleep, “she said. “It’s like a seizure, but it’s not.

“Every time I eat or drink, regardless of what it is – it could be an apple – it just hits me.

“I have a terrible aversion to eating things because it makes me pass out and makes me feel so ill.”

Liz can have a number of attacks and the frequency varies. She could have one once a week or several times a day and found it almost impossible to leave the house due to this and her other conditions.

South Wales Guardian: Liz's life has been turned around thanks to Support Dogs.Liz's life has been turned around thanks to Support Dogs. (Image: Support Dogs)

But when she was able to get a disability assistance dog – a three-year-old black Labrador called Russell – her life has been made much more bearable.

Russell helps her to be able to do everyday tasks more easily thanks to training by the Support Dogs charity.

Russell is able to help with tasks such as putting laundry in the washing machine and fetching the phone as well as providing emotional support.

His final task of the day is to help pull Liz’s socks and trousers off before he then settles down on her bed.

“The dog gives you confidence, because you don’t feel quite so on your own when you go out.

“People think you’re drunk, as the attacks can make you slur your speech and become agitated or confused, and you don’t get any help.

“But if you’ve got a dog, people think ‘she’s okay, we will give her a hand.’ It makes such a difference.

“I couldn’t go out on my own otherwise, I would be too frightened.”

Russell helps Liz – who weighs just under eight stone because of the illness – to be more sociable as well, as husband Alan, 86, has dementia and grandson Charlie, 28, has Aspergers syndrome.

“It gets you up out of bed. Sometimes you think ‘I can’t be bothered this morning, but then it’s ‘you know, I will do something with the dog.’ I’m never in and try and get out as much as possible.”

Russell – nicknamed Rascal – is Liz’s third support dog, after being partnered with sheepdog/Alsatian cross Bonnie 22 years ago.

Bonnie has now passed away and second support dog Bonnie – a 13-year-old golden Labrador – has retired and is now retired but is still a vital member of the family.

Russell has been with Liz since September and has just graduated from the Support Dogs training programme.

Russell, who Liz nicknames ‘Rascal’ when he is being playful, partnered with her first Support Dog 22 years ago.

South Wales Guardian: Liz's previous support dog Duffy has now retired.Liz's previous support dog Duffy has now retired. (Image: Support Dogs)

She had previously worked in staff welfare at British Airways, but had to give up her job due to intense muscle spasms caused by her fibromyalgia.

Her first Support Dog, Bonnie, a sheepdog and Alsatian cross, has since passed away, and her second Duffy, a 13-year-old golden Labrador, has retired but is still very much a part of the family.

Russell has been living with Liz since September and has just graduated from the Support Dogs training programme.

“If I had a spare million, they could have it,” Liz said of the Support Dogs charity. “They are amazing. We do things every day because of them and we’re so grateful.”

Support Dogs provides trained dogs to support people with a range of conditions such as autism, epilepsy and physical disabilities to help them lead more independent lives.

To find out more about the charity, visit www.supportdogs.org.uk