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True love: How Donja helps owner with chronic illness
Retired police dog Donja may have left service – but she has an equally important job to do today.
The seven-year-old German Shepherd served as a Ministry of Defence Police dog for over three years before retiring when she was diagnosed with spondylosis.
Now we support her with her chronic condition, she’s giving back by helping her owner who has also struggled with illness.
Donja, who worked protecting and patrolling sites across Gloucestershire and Hampshire, has now retired to live with her former handler and his wife, Heidi, in Wiltshire.
Heidi, 40, knew Donja would be a wonderful pet and companion, but she never knew how much support she’d provide to her during difficult times.Â
Heidi suffers from endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and polycystic ovary syndrome, which can leave her in a lot of pain.
She said: “Donna has been such a comfort and support while I’ve been struggling with my own chronic illness. I had to leave my job in veterinary medicine to work from home due to the decline in my physical health.
“Donna always knows when I’m having a flare-up, sometimes even before I do! She won’t leave my side and insists on following me, keeping a close eye on me, and laying by my side when I’m feeling unwell.”
Heidi added: “Due to all of my health problems I can struggle with anxiety. She knows how to cheer me up and when I need a smile; she’ll bring me a toy or nuzzle in for a cuddle. She’s so intuitive.
“Sometimes when I have a bath I get dizzy and she always keeps a close eye on me. Once she was so concerned she gently tried to grab my arm and pull me out – she hates the bath so she was really brave to do that for me.”
The Foundation supports her regular medication for arthritis and allergies, and provides free food to Donja through our partnership with Barking Heads.
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