At just three and a half years old and barely bigger than a shoe, Tevye the Cavalier Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is proving that the best support dogs do not always come in large packages. Trained by national charity Support Dogs, he has transformed life for 32-year-old Ashley Innes, who navigates complex health conditions, a new baby, and a world that does not always see her disability.

Ashley Innes knew she could expect great things from her tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Tevye, when she had him trained as a support dog. But even she could not have predicted just how indispensable their partnership would become.

Not only has Tevye given Ashley new-found freedom as she navigates mobility issues stemming from genetic conditions Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), he has been a godsend as the new mum recovers from a caesarean section.

Despite his small stature, three-and-a-half-year-old Tevye has been a massive help for 32-year-old Ashley, who gave birth to son Samuel in December.

From wheelchair to partnership

Ashley and Tevye recently graduated as a successful partnership trained by national charity Support Dogs, which trains and provides specialist assistance dogs to help autistic children, as well as adults with a physical disability and those affected by epilepsy, to live safer, more independent lives.

Ashley, whose mobility is also impacted by a history of Lyme disease, which she contracted after being bitten by a tick in her native USA as a teenager, started using a wheelchair at the age of 14. Following eventual successful diagnoses of her conditions, and treatments, she was able to rely less on her wheelchair, though she still regularly uses a crutch. She is also prone to fainting from a drop in heart rate and blood pressure due to PoTS.

An art researcher who lives in North London, Ashley applied to Support Dogs in early 2024 to have her pet dog trained as a disability assistance dog. Following interviews, medical checks and assessments, Tevye and Ashley embarked on 18 months of training before recently graduating.

A dog trained for the moment that mattered most

“Tevye could already assist me with medical alerts and deep pressure therapy for my blood pressure, but I wanted to refocus his training to picking objects up, since this would prevent PoTS-related issues,” says Ashley, who is married to Matthew.

“I tried training him to pick objects up on my own, without much success.”

Support Dogs has also trained Tevye to unload the washing machine, pull off Ashley’s socks, retrieve her medication, and fetch help if she faints.

And Tevye has helped Ashley socially as well as practically.

“I work remotely, so Tevye keeps me company at my desk,” said Ashley. “He helps me remember not to stay glued to my laptop and get outside plenty; we also go to dog meetups when he’s not working so he gets to socialise, too, which we both enjoy.

“I get out much more often with Tevye at my side and when I’m not working remotely, we attend work outings together, too. He actually accompanies me to exhibition openings.

“He’s made a huge difference following my pregnancy, as well. I had a C-section and could not bend down at all to pick things up. I feel like his whole training was leading up to this moment, which has been such a benefit to our growing family.”

Ashley said she has already recommended Support Dogs to others.

“The ability to have Tevye with me 24/7 has been life-changing for me as someone with a mobility disability.”

She added that seeing Tevye in his blue Support Dogs jacket helps people to understand Ashley’s “invisible disability”, if she’s not using a standard mobility aid, which makes it easier to ask for a seat, use of public lifts, or other adjustments.

Small dog, big impression

Support Dogs instructor Katie Childs, who oversaw Ashley and Tevye’s training, said: “Tevye can pick up quite a large variety of items for such a teeny dog, including shoes and a mobile phone that are practically the size of him! He is pretty impressive and was a pleasure to train.”

Support Dogs provides its services entirely free of charge and relies on voluntary donations. To learn more, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.