Endal: How one amazing dog is still changing the lives of injured services personnel. (UPDATED)

Most people in the doggie world will know the story of Endal, an assistance dog who captured the attention, and hearts, of people the world over, with the amazing story of how he gave owner Allen Parton, a Chief Petty Officer serving in the Royal Navy during the Gulf War, the confidence and independence to rebuild his life, and relationships, after a devastating accident left him with physical and emotional injuries.

After the accident, Allen lost many of his memories, including those of his wife and two children, as well as the use of his legs. Confined to a wheelchair, Allen became completely dependent on others. Being a highly intelligent man, he struggled to accept this, and found himself sinking into despair. That is until one bundle of golden fur adopted him.

While attending Canine Partners, a charity that trains assistance dogs for the disabled, Allen formed a unique relationship with a yellow Labrador called Endal. And the rest, as the say, is History.

Endal looking deservedly proud

Sadly, Endal passed away in Spring 2009, but his legacy lives on in the charity "Hounds for Heroes", a dream come true for Allen Parton.

The charity has been set up to train assistance dogs specifically to give injured Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel the freedom and independence that Allen himself gained from one special little dog.

The charity is still very young, and a group of dedicated volunteers are working tirelessly to raise enough funds to purchase and train the first dogs. Please visit the website (www.houndsforheroes.com) and donate what you can. You can also order a set of dog tags engraved with the Hounds for Heroes logo from eBay. The link can be found on the website.

Allen with EJ (Endal Junior), whom Endal took under his wing before he sadly passed, continues Endal's legacy by providing Allen with independence and companionship. EJ is one of the first dogs to be trained by "Hounds for Heroes."

I would never pretend to understand the hell that our brave servicemen and women go through on a daily basis, especially those injured in the line of duty. However, I do know that dogs can have a profound, positive effect on your health and well-being.
Please lend your support to this wonderful cause.

Below are some photo's of Endal during his day-to-day life as an assistance dog.
I would like to say a big Thank You to Allen Parton for a lovely email, and for sending these photographs.

Endal on a shopping trip.

One of the many tasks that this incredible dog undertook on a daily basis.

Endal's dedication to Allen meant that no job was to big, nor to small.

Endal helping Allen at the cash point machine; it was this display that drew the attention of the media.

Due to his injury, Allen had no memories of his wedding to wife, Sandra. But after Endal gave Allen his confidence back, the couple decided to have a "second wedding" that, after all they have been through, was well and truly deserved.

"Endal" by Allen and Sandra Parton, tells the full story of this extraordinary dog, and is a must-read.