How Assistance Dogs Make Everyday Life Possible: Natalie and Rufus’ Story

Assistance dogs play a life changing role for people living with a wide range of disabilities. In New Zealand, Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust (ADNZT) provides purpose bred and highly trained dogs who support clients with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, brain injuries, Down syndrome and other neurological or physical disabilities. Their mission is to enrich the lives of New Zealanders living with a disability through dogs that are tailor trained to meet each person’s unique needs.

These dogs learn at least three key tasks to support their client, which can include retrieving essential items, providing deep pressure therapy, improving motor skills, using a tethering harness for safety and helping to keep their person at a safe distance from hazards in public. Each dog receives around 3,400 hours of specialist training before being placed.

Among the many families whose lives have been transformed by ADNZT is Natalie’s — and at the centre of her story is Rufus.

Natalie and Rufus: A Life Changing Match

Natalie is now fifteen years old and has had epilepsy since the age of two. Her seizures are small but frequent and have delayed several areas of her development, including speech, fine motor skills and behaviour. She experiences impatience, frustrations, impulsivity and a lack of awareness of danger or risk. She also has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Before Rufus, going out in public was difficult and often unsafe. Natalie would run off quickly if something caught her eye, without noticing dangers like traffic. She is also a sensory seeker who is compelled to touch, taste and sniff things, making shops and public places particularly challenging.

Rufus was trained specifically to help keep Natalie safe when they are out together. Natalie wears a belt and strap that tethers her to Rufus’ back. If he feels tension, he resists and holds her in place. When needed, he can anchor her in a ‘down’ position so her mum can use both hands for tasks like unloading groceries or paying at a checkout without worrying about Natalie running off.

Despite what some might expect, Natalie has never resented being tethered to Rufus. Instead, she sees him as her key to freedom and her partner in adventures. When the blue Assistance Dogs jacket goes on, she gets excited and asks if they are going on “ventures”.

Adventures Made Possible

In the past 6 years, Rufus has completely changed what the family is able to do. They've visited places they had long given up on because of safety risks. Together, Natalie and Rufus have gone to the zoo, the Auckland Museum, MOTAT, cafés, bushwalks and even watched a community fireworks display. Rufus remained calm throughout, even when the baboons at the zoo voiced their disapproval with a loud warning. He didn’t blink.

Everyday moments have become easier too. Watching her brothers play sport is now simple, because Natalie can’t dart across the field or steal boundary marker cones anymore. Her mum’s anxiety levels have fallen and the whole family now enjoys outings.

Although Rufus wasn’t trained to detect seizures, he has learned on his own when Natalie needs extra care. Even though her brothers are the ones who throw the ball for him when off duty, Natalie is the one he has bonded with. If he’s asked to find her, he races off to locate her around the house or yard.

At the creek, when Natalie swims — one of the few places she doesn’t run off — Rufus joins her. Even off duty, he swims right beside her to keep her safe. On one occasion, when she swam near children jumping into the water, Rufus grew distressed and tried to reach her, whining until she came back into a safer spot.

At home, Rufus is a loveable goof and the best family dog. When he’s working, he is dedicated and sensible. When his jacket goes on, he puffs up with pride and wags his tail, ready to help. Natalie runs to get her belt and tether, and if she had a tail, her mum says she’d wag it too.

A Partnership That Changes Everything

Natalie’s world has grown because of Rufus. Places that were once off limits are now part of everyday life. Tasks that were once stressful are now manageable. And moments that used to feel impossible are now some of the family’s favourite memories.

Rufus gives Natalie safety, confidence and the freedom to explore. And he gives her family peace of mind they never had before.

Their story is a powerful example of what an assistance dog can do — opening doors, creating opportunities and giving children like Natalie the chance to experience more of the world with joy and independence.

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