Support Dog Gives Disabled Student Newfound Confidence and Freedom

A student who uses walking aids says her life has changed thanks to her family pet.

Elie-Mai Riddick is 24 and lives in Ashton Gate, Bristol. She has a health problem called Scheuermann's Kyphosis. It causes her spine to curve too much. Because of this, she uses a walking stick or wheelchair.

As her health got worse, she stopped going out alone. She took a two-year break from her forensic psychology degree at Bath Spa University.

Things changed after her labrador, Bleddyn, was trained as a support dog. The training was done by a group called Support Dogs. Now, Elie-Mai is back at university with Bleddyn by her side.

She even took a train from Bristol to Chelmsford. She said she would never have done that before. "I used to be very anxious. I would only go places if someone gave me a lift or if I drove," she said.

Now, she is pushing herself to try new things. She says Bleddyn gives her more confidence.

Elie-Mai was born with Scheuermann's Kyphosis. But doctors didn’t find it until 2012, when she was 11. She had back pain from the age of seven.

She used to be a dancer and liked sports. But she needed surgery to stop damage to her spine.

In 2019, she had an eight-hour surgery on her spine. It helped with pain, but she still had trouble with balance. She needed a walking stick after that.

She got Bleddyn four years ago to help her with depression. A friend told her to get him trained to support her. She applied to Support Dogs in 2023.

The charity trains dogs to help people with autism, epilepsy, or physical problems.

In January this year, Elie-Mai had her fourth episode of sudden paralysis. She was told she has something called Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Now, she uses a wheelchair more often.

She is thankful to have Bleddyn. He helps her get dressed, open and close doors, and use the washing machine.

He can also bring her walking stick, keys, and phone. He barks to get help if she falls.

"I think what Support Dogs does is amazing," she said. "They help so many people and give us more confidence."

Scoliosis Support and Research says Scheuermann's Kyphosis happens when the front of the spine grows slower than the back. Kids often show signs between ages 10 and 16. Many feel back pain, especially in their early teen years.