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Allergies leave blind Malvern woman without guide dog
Overview
Isabel Holdsworth, a blind and hearing-impaired woman living in Malvern, has been without a guide dog since retiring her previous dog because it triggered a grandchild's asthma. Unable to secure a hypoallergenic breed through the Guide Dogs charity due to allergy concerns, and facing safety issues including a broken rib and a collision with an electric car while using a cane, the family now plans to fundraise £102,000 to privately train and support a suitable dog.
Key points
- Isabel Holdsworth, who is blind and hearing-impaired, has relied on guide dogs for 40 years but has been without one since retiring her last dog, Obie.
- Obie was retired after triggering an asthma attack in one of Isabel's grandchildren, forcing her to choose between having a dog and spending time with family.
- Without a guide dog, Isabel has suffered a broken rib from a fall and been involved in an accident with an electric car, leaving her feeling unsafe to go out alone.
- The Guide Dogs charity turned down requests for specific low-allergen breeds due to family allergy risks, noting that no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic.
- The family now plans to raise £102,000 independently to fund the cost of raising and supporting a suitable guide dog themselves.