Wendy opens up world of wonder for owner Nicky (From Daily Echo)

Wendy opens up world of wonder for owner Nicky

7:43am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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She has given her owner the confidence to become independent again.

Guide dog Wendy has won the Life Changing category of the South-West Guide Dog of the Year competition and goes through to the national final.

Owner Nicky West, from North Baddesley, near Romsey has had black Retriever/ Labrador Wendy since December 2007 and has since been able to venture as far as London on days out.

The 37-year-old who is visually impaired, said: "Wendy has transformed my life, when you first get a guide dog you think it will help with mobility but I was not prepared for the increase in confidence she has given me."

Two-year-old Wendy was nominated for her award by two of Nicky's colleagues in her job as a volunteer at a Southampton charity.

Brenda Lawrence and Martine Pullen were amazed at the way Wendy worked to help Nicky at a conference they attended even when she was on unfamiliar ground.

Mother of one Nicky and guide dog Wendy will now attend an awards ceremony at the Kennel Club in London on September 8 to hear if Wendy has won national acclaim.

Nicky has had nystagmus since birth and is very sensitive to sunlight and has to wear sunglasses when venturing outdoors to protect her eyes.

Nicky said: "About three years ago I was nearly hit by a car and it really scared me, I lost the confidence to go out on my own but Wendy has brought it all back to me.

"My daughter Abi and her friend wanted to go to London to stay over, Wendy gave me the confidence to go with them, catching trains and negotiating the busy streets of the capital, something I would never have done before."

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