At just 23 years old, Chloé Fuller from Lancashire is on a mission to change how children perceive disabilities — with a little help from her “super dogs,” Ted and Cinna.
Chloé’s journey hasn’t been easy. Forced to leave school at 13 after developing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, she lost her independence and struggled to adapt to daily life. Enter Ted, her first assistance dog. Trained to respond to more than 100 commands — from fetching her shoes to safely reviving her after blackouts — Ted quickly became her lifeline.
“The first time he climbed onto my chest after I collapsed, it was the first medical moment in my life that felt positive,” Chloé recalls. From that point, she dedicated herself to training Ted to expand her independence, eventually qualifying as one of the youngest Dog AID partnerships in just 13 months.
Now, alongside her new puppy Cinna, Chloé is bringing the Super Spaniels show to DogFest, the UK’s biggest dog-friendly festival. The show, which she created to help children feel less scared of disabilities, demonstrates a full day in the life of an assistance dog. “After just one performance, so many kids approached me excited, not hesitant,” Chloé says.
Ted, now eight, and Cinna, still a puppy, are polar opposites. “Ted is bomb-proof, reliable, and affectionate,” Chloé explains. “Cinna is fiery, exhilarating, and sometimes exasperating — definitely in her rebellious teenage phase.” Together, they showcase the range of ways assistance dogs support their owners in everyday life.
Chloé’s own life has been transformed by these dogs. With Ted’s support, she returned to studying and qualified as an animal nutritionist — a feat that would have seemed impossible during her early teen years, when her rare conditions and heart issues made daily functioning a challenge.
“Allow yourself time to grieve the life you lost — then find the things that make you happy and don’t make you feel disabled,” Chloé advises other teens facing similar obstacles. She adds, “It sounds silly, but one of the biggest things I felt at DogFest was that I wasn’t different to anyone else.”
The Super Spaniels show will tour seven locations nationwide, including Radley Hall in Warwickshire on May 28 and 29. Through interactive performances, children witness firsthand how assistance dogs help owners like Chloé navigate the world, from everyday tasks to emergency situations.
Chloé’s story is a reminder that determination, resilience, and the love of an assistance dog can empower those with disabilities to reclaim independence and challenge societal stereotypes. With Ted and Cinna by her side, she’s rewriting what it means to live boldly, regardless of limitations.
Fans and supporters can follow Chloé, Ted, and Cinna on Instagram and Facebook @thesuperspaniels, and witness the Super Spaniels in action at DogFest this spring.
Source: Daily Mirror
