When Rajwinder was just one year old, she contracted polio.<\/p>
Until recently, she relied heavily on her husband and carer, Hardeep, for support and couldn\u2019t go anywhere on her own.<\/p>
But thanks to a Yellow Labrador called Rocky, Rajwinder has been able to regain her independence.<\/p>
Three-year-old disability assistance dog Rocky helps Rajwinder with a range of everyday tasks, from picking up dropped items and opening doors to loading and unloading the washing machine, getting dressed and fetching help.<\/p>
\u201cNow, if I need to reach for something, I don\u2019t need to call for my husband,\u201d said Rajwinder, who lives in the Hockley area of Birmingham and has an 18-year-old daughter called Jaskiran.<\/p>
\u201cBut Rocky can pick things up, open and close doors, load and unload the washing machine, take off my socks, bring my shoes to me and he can pick up his leash, collar and harness.<\/p>
\u201c<\/span>I\u2019m so proud of Rocky and so glad I found Support Dogs \u2013 it\u2019s absolutely brilliant.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>
The family have had Rocky as a family pet from being a pup and they applied to Support Dogs in late 2021.<\/p>
Following various assessments, Rocky and Rajwinder were accepted onto the charity\u2019s training programme in October last year.<\/p>
After around a year of putting into practice what they had both learned, they graduated at the end of October this year and recently attended a glitzy awards bash.<\/p>
Hardeep, said: \u201cWe are very grateful to Support Dogs. They have gone beyond expectations.<\/p>
\u201c<\/span>Before Rocky, Rajwinder couldn\u2019t really go anywhere on her own. Now she can go for a wander around the park or wherever. Now I\u2019m not worried if she goes out, as she has Rocky\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>
Rajwinder, added: \u201cI highly recommend Support Dogs \u2013 they are improving people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>","urlTitle":"rocky-provides-knockout-aid-for-rajwinder","url":"\/blog\/rocky-provides-knockout-aid-for-rajwinder\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/rocky-provides-knockout-aid-for-rajwinder\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/supportdogs.teemill.com\/blog\/rocky-provides-knockout-aid-for-rajwinder\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1752848321,"updatedAt":1752848479,"publishedAt":1752848478,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":393686,"name":"Support Dogs"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ir3wnlv7arrhoakvv2ytli4rivh91psqd3yahb6pjwlmaiwq.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ir3wnlv7arrhoakvv2ytli4rivh91psqd3yahb6pjwlmaiwq.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ir3wnlv7arrhoakvv2ytli4rivh91psqd3yahb6pjwlmaiwq.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Regaining Independence","metaDescription":"Thanks to Rocky, a disability assistance dog, Rajwinder has overcome polio challenges and regained independence with Support Dogs' transformative help.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":50809,"title":"Support dog Cobble has never missed a seizure alert","url":"\/blog\/support-dog-cobble-has-never-missed-a-seizure-alert\/","urlTitle":"support-dog-cobble-has-never-missed-a-seizure-alert","division":393686,"description":"Seizure alert dog Cobble hits the beat to a better life.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/kvjwxjykrkg4cbmh0otzbdbcutrup4voelu7pvlo9lf2273x.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/kvjwxjykrkg4cbmh0otzbdbcutrup4voelu7pvlo9lf2273x.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":50806,"title":"Making a difference to the whole family","url":"\/blog\/making-a-difference-to-the-whole-family\/","urlTitle":"making-a-difference-to-the-whole-family","division":393686,"description":"Our support dogs don\u2019t just transform the lives of the individual they are matched with, but have a lasting impact on their wider family. This includes making the home and family life safer and calmer. Read about the impact that support dog Mandy has had on Alessa\u2019s family","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/cjkvtibowm2sj1rctnvlf4qlmlvx1nzffwxe029vvzlex6zh.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/cjkvtibowm2sj1rctnvlf4qlmlvx1nzffwxe029vvzlex6zh.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":50808,"title":"Autism assistance dog Raife is little boy Noah's lifeline","url":"\/blog\/autism-assistance-dog-raife-is-little-boy-noahs-lifeline\/","urlTitle":"autism-assistance-dog-raife-is-little-boy-noahs-lifeline","division":393686,"description":"Raife the fox-red Labrador is providing a vital lifeline for the Dolman family.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/kwsysfvokxt2y8inqgt4fwurfevf4gjnm3tmnnutnf1vhnzi.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/kwsysfvokxt2y8inqgt4fwurfevf4gjnm3tmnnutnf1vhnzi.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}