Chichester blind therapy dog mourned by thousands across the globe

A beloved blind therapy dog, which helped people across the Chichester area for more than a decade, has been remembered by its owner as a ‘great companion’.
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Fox-red labrador Evie, one of the longest serving therapy dogs in the country, had to be put down at the age of 13 on January 25 after developing a liver tumor.

Retired Salvation Army officer Alexandra Hughes, from Bracklesham Bay, said: “I firmly believe we were meant to be together. We were inseparable.

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"We shared a very close bond right from day one. She was very gentle but could be mischievous and full of fun. She was a great companion.

Alexandra is hoping to find a publisher for her book about Evie’s life. Photo: Dirty Dogs PhotographyAlexandra is hoping to find a publisher for her book about Evie’s life. Photo: Dirty Dogs Photography
Alexandra is hoping to find a publisher for her book about Evie’s life. Photo: Dirty Dogs Photography

"She’s helped so many people in her lifetime. I miss her so much. As a Christian, I believe I will see her again."

Evie was a member of Therapy Dogs Nationwide, a charity where volunteers take their own dogs into establishments to give comfort, distraction and stimulation.

Alexandra said a number of dogs have been influenced by Evie, who came runner up in the National Therapy Dog Of The Year awards in 2018 and won a pets hero award in 2020 for helping save people from the sea.

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Alexandra, who is hoping to find a publisher for her book about Evie’s life, said: “It was very rewarding, visiting the hospital, nursing homes, schools for special needs children and centres for adults with learning disabilities and helping people overcome dog phobias and visiting people with dementia.

Evie came runner up in the National Therapy Dog Of The Year awards in 2018 and won a pets hero award in 2020 for helping save people from the seaEvie came runner up in the National Therapy Dog Of The Year awards in 2018 and won a pets hero award in 2020 for helping save people from the sea
Evie came runner up in the National Therapy Dog Of The Year awards in 2018 and won a pets hero award in 2020 for helping save people from the sea

"[We helped] stressed students at Chichester University and Evie regularly attended my church with me at Bognor Regis Salvation Army. We shared a special ministry.

"She went blind three or four years ago but she still ran on the beach with her ball."

Swimmers thanked after saving therapy dog in BoshamDuring lockdown, visits of therapy dogs have been restricted so Alexandra improvised by sharing daily, live videos of Evie on her Facebook page: Evie The Blind Therapy Dog’s Adventures.

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"She had thousands of viewers tuning in to give them some hope during lockdown," Alexandra said.

Alexandra and Evie with nine-year-old Hannah MakinsonAlexandra and Evie with nine-year-old Hannah Makinson
Alexandra and Evie with nine-year-old Hannah Makinson

Alexandra said thousands of people from 'all around the globe' have paid tribute to Evie, adding: "She was apparently the most mourned dog on social media.

"I want to thank all the establishments, for welcoming us over the years, [and] Downland Vets for all their care.”

As we start to ease back to normal life, Alexandra said there are going to be ‘a lot of people’ needing animal-assisted therapy.

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She added: “If there are people with suitable dogs with the right temperament, it would be nice to have more therapy dogs in the Chichester area. It would be a nice legacy that Evie would leave.”

For more information, visit www.tdn.org.uk or you can message Alexandra via her Facebook page

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