Ahead of a special evening where we will be joined by Allen Parton, Founder of Hounds for Heroes, and his wife Sandra at The Kennels on Wednesday 4 October, we share the incredible story of Endal, the beloved pup who saved Allen’s life and inspired him to set up a charity providing specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled personnel of both HM Armed Forces and the Emergency Services.

It is said that a dog is man’s best friend, and the relationship between humans and dogs is something undeniably special, but when that dog not only helps you live your everyday life, and even goes on to save your life, that relationship dynamic is taken to a whole new level.

Allen suffered a traumatic head injury whilst on active duty during the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War. The injuries Allen sustained left him confined to a wheelchair and unable to remember half of his memories, including those he had of his children growing up, or even who his children and wife were. It also meant he was unable to process any emotion, which left Allen feeling locked out of the life he once had, and in a desperate state both physically and psychologically.

A dog with an attitude problem

It was a chance encounter with a one-year-old Labrador named Endal that began to turn things around. Even though he was failing his Assistant Dog training and was in need of a new home, it seemed Allen and Endall were destined to meet.

“He had health problems and a huge attitude problem, but when he saw something on the floor by my wheelchair, he trotted across the training centre, picked it up and put it on my lap.”, Says Allen.

Endal didn’t get a reaction from Allen or any of the praise and treats he was used to when he fetched something, so he trotted across the room to the mock-up supermarket to gather more items to bring to Allen and kept on doing so until Allen started disappearing under a mound of items that Endal had fetched for him.

“This was a dog that didn’t do anything for anyone, so when he didn’t get a reward or reaction from me, he was trying his hardest to please me.”

Becoming a full time companion

It was this Endal’s tenacity and determination that helped Allen’s brain to ‘switch on’ and Endal’s endless fetching of items to Allen's helped him to smile for the first time in a long time.

Endal went on to become Allen’s full-time companion, helping him 24/7 with every aspect of his life. He even helped Allen to reconnect with his family, and in 2002 Allen remarried his wife, Sandra, with Endal as the Best Man.

Life-saving skills

But it was in another accident that Endal showed his true life-saving abilities when one night Allen and Endal were hit by a car whilst out on a walk. Allen was knocked out of his wheelchair and left unconscious by the side of the road.

Even though he had also been hit by the car, Endal sprang into action putting Allen in the recovery position by the side of the road, gathering his blanket from the wheelchair to keep Allen warm, and even locating his mobile phone and bringing it up to Allen’s face. It was only then that Endal limped off to a nearby hotel to raise the alarm.

It was this incredible act of bravery that won Endal the Victoria Cross for Animal Bravery.

“That dog saved my life, saved my marriage, and brought me back to my children.” Says Allen.

The Final Gift

The final gift Endal gave to Allen at the end of his long and dutiful life was the gift of sadness.

“I didn’t know that emotion, but the day that Endal left me was the day my heart broke, and I cried.”

Luckily for Allen and his family, there was another Assistance dog, EJ who was waiting to pick up the baton where Endal left off.

Hounds for Heroes, the charity

Allen set up Hounds for Heroes in 2010 so that injured personnel from the military and the ‘blue-light’ services have the opportunity to benefit from the life-transforming experience of partnering with an assistance dog.

Hounds for Heroes has since created 28 working partnerships, and has over 10 dogs in training. Allen and Sandra have gone on to write a book about their experiences and how their beloved pup Endal brought their family back from the brink.

Meet Allen and Sandra join us at The Kennels

Allen and Sandra join us at The Kennels on the evening of Wednesday 4 October where they will share more about their experiences and the story of Endal and Hounds for Heroes. Your ticket for the event includes a copy of the book.

Hounds for Heroes is also The Kennels nominated charity and throughout the years all profits from our dog memberships have been donated to them. To book please click here. For more information, please email kennelsreservations@goodwood.com or call 01243 755132.

Excerpts and quotes taken from The Secret Life of Dogs, "The Secret Life of Dogs" Clip - YouTube