I’ve always been a dog lover and truly believe that they are man and woman’s best friend. But this week I met some dogs that take that mantle to an extraordinary new level.

I had been invited to Kensington Town Hall for a fund raising event in favour of Canine Partners, a charity I’d heard of previously but had never experienced for myself. I can honestly say that learning about this awesome charity completely blew me away.

Canine Partners trains dogs to assist people with disabilities so that they can enjoy a much more independent life. They choose certain dogs when they are puppies - dogs that show a propensity to learn and take direction - and when they are ready, these dogs are matched to a disabled partner and are trained specifically to support that person’s precise needs.

The demonstration we saw showed these gorgeous animals not only fetching and retrieving items, but helping someone out of bed, assisting them to undress, pressing buttons and switches, raising an alarm in an emergency and even unloading the washing machine!

It’s really not hard to immediately see the practical support and benefits that these dogs would give to any disabled person. But what is not so easy to measure is the emotional support that the dogs also give. At the event, we met Eileen. As a child, Eileen had TB and has subsequently been a patient at the Royal Brompton Hospital for 53 years. She spent 30 years of her life living in the hospital and is permanently attached to an oxygen canister.

Five years ago, Eileen’s life changed when the Royal Brompton applied on her behalf to Canine Partners and she was given Icarus, a two year old golden retriever cross. She told us that getting Icarus saved her life. Not only does Icarus do the physical things that help Eileen get through her day safely but he also has given her a reason to live. She told me that although life is still a struggle, she now lives at home with the dog and he makes every day worthwhile for her.

I have never underestimated the companionship a dog can give able bodied people and I can’t wait for the day when my working lifestyle will allow me to have a dog again in our home. But I can honestly say I found the work these dogs do utterly overwhelming and inspiring.

I wouldn’t usually use this column to promote something specifically. As regular readers know, it’s normally just the inane ramblings of a middle aged woman, but I just can’t help myself this week. Canine Partners has no government funding so is run purely on public donations, therefore even though it was founded in 1990, there are currently only 300 Canine Partners in existence. And with 1.2million wheelchair users in the UK, this does not seem anywhere near enough.

So I am going to do what I can to raise awareness and funds for this wonderful charity, and my 12 year old Molly wants to do the same. If you are inspired by what I’ve told you, please visit www.caninepartners.org.uk and get involved. There are many worthwhile charities that need our support, but this one not only gives these wonderful dogs a great and purposeful life but it also creates a partner, support and friend for disabled people across the UK.

NOTE TO SELF: Maybe we should help charity begin in someone else’s home.