Everyday help from assistance dogs

Tatjana Kreidler’s VITA association trains assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, because a dog can provide 70% of the necessary support in everyday life.

A day without a dog – unthinkable for Tatjana Kreidler. She got her first cocker spaniel Mike when she was six years old. Since then, the four-legged friends have been her constant companions . Not just in their free time. For almost twelve years, the 42-year-old has been training Golden and Labrador Retrievers to become assistance dogs that enable people with physical disabilities to lead a more independent everyday life. They open doors, fetch objects – and in an emergency, help. “Actually, I wanted to become a family therapist,” says the social worker. “But then I saw how positively dogs in residential care had a positive effect on children.” Of course, that was also the subject of her diploma thesis.

“After that I went to England and sat in on clubs that trained service dogs according to international standards. In 1999, that was still completely unknown in Germany.” She wanted to change that. After her return, she continued to develop what she had learned and in 2000 she founded the association VITA eV “Consequence and Love” , this is how Tatjana Kreidler sums up her concept. It forms partners for life out of a human and a dog.

It never happens according to plan. But every time she experiences a special, magical moment: “When eyes meet and man and dog suddenly become one, that’s something very special.” After that, what seemed impossible before sometimes becomes possible. Tatjana Kreidler remembers that child very well, who only learned to speak through his dog: “First he said his name, then that of the dog.” She often hears sentences like “The dog comes before my partner” or “With him has for started a new life for me”. No empty words, but an expression of honest, deep gratitude.

Such a close relationship grows slowly and gently. Both partners, human and animal, must learn to pay one hundred percent attention to the otherto give and to respond sensitively to his needs. They have to grow into a team that trusts each other blindly. This has worked a total of 30 times since VITA was founded. 15 young dogs are currently being prepared for their tasks, for each there are six applicants from the waiting list. Hardly any of them can afford the two-year dog training, which costs 25,000 eurosafford, to which the health insurance companies do not contribute a single euro. But Tatjana Kreidler wants to make the dream of an assistance dog come true for as many people in need as possible. With the help of donations that she asks for, from sponsors that inspire her – and her boundless idealism. At the VITA training center in Hümmerich near Koblenz, she only allows herself a shared room and works seven days a week. “Slowly,” she admits, “I need a life of my own again.” Maybe she’ll find another trainer. Then she would have time for the theater or to rest.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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