Shropshire man and his assistance dog become ‘face’ of national charity
A former tree surgeon whose life was turned upside down by a devastating accident has rebuilt his life, and even found love, thanks to two Canine Partners assistance dogs, and is now the face of the charity’s new brand.
Canine Partners matches people with a variety of physical disabilities with expertly trained assistance dogs, creating loving, life-changing partnerships. As part of its recent rebrand, Canine Partners selected several partnerships like James’ - to shine a light on the real-life impact their dogs make every day.
James’ story
James, 46, from Shropshire, had always lived for the outdoors, working in tree surgery and spending his free time rock climbing. But during a routine job dismantling an ash tree, James fell, sustaining a severe head injury, two broken vertebrae and multiple fractures. He was placed on life support, and at one stage doctors warned his family to expect the worst. “My family didn’t give up on me, and somehow I pulled through.”
His recovery was long and demanding. James had to relearn basic skills such as speaking, eating and drinking, and came to terms with paralysis from the chest down. A year after the accident, he began adjusting to life beyond hospital, gradually rebuilding his independence with the support of family, friends and carers. But everyday tasks remained exhausting and time-consuming.
That changed in 2012 when James was partnered with Winter, a black Labrador from Canine Partners. Winter helped with daily tasks such as retrieving dropped items, pressing lift buttons and opening doors, making life far less physically demanding. She also transformed James’s confidence. “I became more confident going out and was able to do so much more. Before, I was shy and held back, but Winter became my ice breaker.”
With Winter by his side, James began to reconnect with the world. She also provided reassurance in emergencies, fetching the phone if he fell or felt unwell. “Winter changed my life for the better.”
After retiring in 2022, Winter later passed away, leaving a huge gap in James’s life. In December 2023, James was partnered with his second assistance dog, Dawn. “Dawn has helped me move forward while still holding on to everything Winter gave me.”
Dawn has restored confidence and reassurance in James’s daily life and played a part in an unexpected new chapter. During his placement course, James met Jess, who was also being matched with her second assistance dog. Their shared experiences brought them closer, and their friendship grew into a relationship. Today, with Dawn by his side and Jess alongside him, James is looking ahead to a future full of possibility.
As a face of the charity James and Dawn took part in a photoshoot to showcase and have been turned into an illustration, which feature on the charity’s website, social media and fundraising materials.
Canine Partners relies entirely on donations to breed, train and support their life-changing assistance dogs. To find out more or support the charity, visit caninepartners.org.uk.
