Honey has been trained by members of Paws For A Cause, a Mumbai-based voluntary organisation, who were in town to carry out a demonstration at the Military Hospital. Says Shirin Dhabhar of the organisation,``Dogs like Honey can be of tremendous help to those who need assistance, especially paraplegics. They can be trained to pick up items like the cordless phone or pens and even trained to switch on lights and open doors, which is of much help to those who are wheelchair-bound.''

A canine behaviourist trained in England, Shirin started the organisation in June this year along with volunteers, JunaidMerchant, Gayatri Thakoor and Monish Thakoor. Equally significant members are Boss the Rotweiler, Snoopy the Cocker Spaniel, and Dennis the Boxer who have been trained over the past five months to help the disabled, as well as conduct search and rescue operations.

``The world over trained dogs are being used to help the disabled. Dogs form close bonds with their masters and can truly assist them in leading a more independent life. For instance, if a paraplegic falls off his chair and requires urgent attention, a dog like Honey will immediately go in search of assistance and will lead the assistant back to his master. In case of those who are of a lighter weight, the dog can also stay still and support the paraplegic back into his chair,'' says Junaid.

The organisation held their first demonstration at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Khadki in September and were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response. ``Dr (Lt Col) S P Jyoti, medical director of the Centre, readily agreed to give us achance for a demonstration. At first, many of the inmates did not believe that it was possible that dogs could help them in any practical way. After the demonstrations though, most of them were convinced. Four of them even want their own trained dog,'' says Junaid.