A former tree surgeon who suffered a devastating injury is lending his support to an assistance dog charity which helped him rebuild his life.<\/p>\n
James Crossley, from Shropshire, was paralysed after a fall at work and Canine Partners was able to find him two dogs to help get his independence back.<\/p>\n
The 46-year-old said: “I became more confident going out and was able to do so much more.”<\/p>\n
The charity is now featuring his story as part of its social media and fundraising material to highlight the work it does.<\/p>\n
His injury came when he fell while dismantling an ash tree and suffered a severe head injury, two broken vertebrae and multiple fractures.<\/p>\n
He had to be placed on life support and doctors warned his family he might not survive.<\/p>\n
He ended up paralysed from the chest down and said he had to relearn basic skills such as speaking, eating and drinking.<\/p>\n
In 2012, Canine Partners found him an assistance dog called Winter who helped with simple tasks such as retrieving dropped items, pressing lift buttons and opening doors.<\/p>\n
The charity said it made life less physically demanding and Crossley said the black labrador helped with his confidence too.<\/p>\n
“Before, I was shy and held back, but Winter became my icebreaker,” he said.<\/p>\n
In 2022, Winter died, but the charity was able to find him another dog called Dawn and she brought another change in his life.<\/p>\n
While he was getting to know Dawn he met Jess, who was also being matched with a second assistance dog and the two of them started a relationship.<\/p>\n
The charity said he was now “looking ahead to a future full of possibility”.<\/p>\n
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