Springer spaniel gives disabled Mansfield Woodhouse ex soldier her life back

Eighteen years ago, Natasha Lees, from Mansfield Woodhouse, had a promising army career ahead of her.

Natasha, who is now 37, had a place at Sandhurst aged 18 but she was injured whilst on military exercise in the Falklands.

Over the years, she struggled with constant back pain and other physical and mental health problems and regular surgeries made working a major challenge.

But it all changed when a special English Springer Spaniel called Giles trotted into her life.

Her canine chum was trained as a disability assistance dog by the Support Dogs organisation. Thanks to Giles, Natasha now has a successful career in the NHS.

She works as a programme management office operations manager in Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group.

Natasha said: “I have degenerative disc disease after injuring my back while on military exercise in the Falklands when I was an army reservist. It stopped me becoming a full-time soldier.

"I carried on playing rugby and horse riding but by my early 20s the injury got worse. I had to stop. I also have balance problems due to hypermobility in my ankles, aggravated by the injury, and have had ligament reconstruction.

Natasha also endured regular epidurals, disc blocks and spinal operations, including spinal decompression and spinal fusion surgery.

“My mobility is incredibly variable, I can walk sometimes but not others. On bad days I get by with a walking stick and a huge amount of painkillers,” she said.

“I was living on my own getting stressed and not able to do anything, worried something happening, as I had no day-to-day support around me. So I went out and got a rescue dog, a one-year-old, as a pet.”

The intelligent Springer showed promise at dog training classes, and went onto train with the Support Dogs organisation as a disability assistance dog.

Natasha said: “I was blown away by how the trainers and instructors moved Giles on, and the things they’ve been able to teach him.”

Giles picks up her things, and finds her phone, so if anything happens she can call for help. He opens and closes doors, loads and unloads the washing machine, fetches the post – and tidies up after himself!

Natasha credits Giles with enabling her to work. Since graduating she has also worked in the HM Prison Service.

Until lockdown Giles came to work with Natasha every day.

Natasha said. “He’s the office celebrity, always up for a belly rub but I had to watch he doesn’t get too many snacks!

“Giles has kept me on an even keel. He is the reason I get up in the morning, he helps me get through each and every day and he is the reason I am still employed.

“The idea of going out without Giles is unthinkable; he is indispensable, an extension of me.”

To find out more about Support Dogs see www.supportdogs.org.uk.