Welcome to the Emily Dogs home page

Brian Crowley MEP launches Reflective Dogware for Charity

How Can An Emily Dog Enrich The Life Of A Disabled Person?
How Can You Help?
picture gallery
a short history of Emily Dogs
Reflector wear available
some interesting links
our frequently asked questions
Current and future events

 

 

The world we live in is constantly evolving. One of the effects of evolution is that we try to cram as much as we can into our lifetimes, experiences, travel, and as we are also living in the age of advertising, we are greatly influenced by it.
We are sold images of how we should look, dress, live, be educated, lifestyles; we are sold ideals, which in the real world to a large part do not exist.

How often have you been sold an image of physical disability as a complete life? Disabled adults and children are rarely included in advertising or publicity, and the word 'disability' tends to bring up negative images.

My question is whether this is a true concept. Would having a physical disability affect your enjoyment of life? What would you be the greatest difficulties? Obviously, you would not choose to have a physical disability, no more than you would choose to be uneducated or destitute or unloved. I have a disability, and I find that the greatest difficulties are caused by the fact that the 'civilized' world, the manmade one, has been built for able bodied people.

No one can change the world, but each individual can start in their own corner. To this end Clonakilty Urban District Council have over the last year improved ramping facilities in our town. They have shown commitment in improving access in the town, which not alone makes life easier for the less mobile, but will also give the less mobile another choice of holiday venue.

In many countries the value of helping dogs for the physically disabled has been recognised. England, America and many of our European partners have been training and placing these dogs successfully for many years. After two years of research Emily Dogs Ireland was founded, in 1995. The founding of Emily Dogs was inspired by a golden cocker spaniel of that name, who undertook the task of helping, looking after, and providing unconditional lover to her disabled owner. Through Emily, her owner realized just how much assistance a dog can provide.
We aim to establish Irelands first training centre for dogs trained to help disabled, in or near Clonakilty.

Emily Dogs.
P.O. Box 47
Clonakilty
Co. Cork.

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