AT YOUR SERVICE
Fairlady|February 2020
These highly intelligent, expertly trained service dogs are changing the lives of their handlers. Meet the canines that are working with and supporting their human companions with incredible and inspiring dedication.
ASHLEIGH ROMAN
AT YOUR SERVICE
Kim & Jessie

IN 2016, Kim Lewis suffered a neurological event that caused her to lose her sight. ‘It came on suddenly, then became progressively worse, leaving me functionally blind after just a few months,’ she says. ‘I was a GP, so it was difficult to adjust. I was an independent career woman and mother with my own practice. That suddenly changed.’

After being on the South African Guide Dogs Association’s waiting list for about 18 months, Kim was paired with her first guide dog, Jessie.

‘I realized that I needed assistance walking, so I got a white cane, but I have arthritis in my wrist, so it was painful. It also tends to isolate you. With Jessie, people started coming up to me, saying, “What a lovely dog!” It’s an awesome way to break the ice.’

Jessie is a two-and-a-half-year-old labrador that sits at Kim’s feet while we chat. ‘I’ve always been a dog person,’ says Kim. ‘But what I have with Jessie is different. We have to trust each other; I have to trust that she won’t lead me into traffic and she has to trust that I know where we’re going because she’s not a GPS,’ Kim says with a laugh.

Before Jessie came into her life, Kim found it difficult to navigate with confidence and independence, even though she knew her surroundings well. ‘I now get from place to place with a combination of Jessie’s excellent guidance and an app called Lazarillo.’

This story is from the February 2020 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2020 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FAIRLADYView All
Easter with edge
Fairlady

Easter with edge

Grant knows what it's like to miss out on the celebrations that anchor family life.

time-read
9 mins  |
March/April 2024
The MALE bias
Fairlady

The MALE bias

Historically, medical studies were mainly done on male mice and on men; and then extrapolated to treat women, as if a female body were just a smaller version of a male one. Here’s why that doesn’t make sense, and how to work with your body’s natural rhythm for better health.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March/April 2024
Wellbeing
Fairlady

Wellbeing

How to sleep better, feel better and look better!

time-read
2 mins  |
March/April 2024
The other type of CHEATING
Fairlady

The other type of CHEATING

Lies about money can have devastating consequences in a relationship.

time-read
5 mins  |
March/April 2024
THE 'PEST' IN PESTICIDES
Fairlady

THE 'PEST' IN PESTICIDES

oe r Despite many highly Hs hazardous pesticides being banned in their countries of origin, 192 of them are still legally exported to South Africa

time-read
10+ mins  |
March/April 2024
START A BUSINESS LIKE a Saffer
Fairlady

START A BUSINESS LIKE a Saffer

There's nothing quite like a South African entrepreneur. In the face of adversity, they innovate and persevere. But what fuels that determination? We chatted to some self-starters to find out.

time-read
9 mins  |
March/April 2024
How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY
Fairlady

How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY

It's easy to get complacent in a long-term relationship. Before you know it, your partner is little more than your roommate. Here's how to shake things up.

time-read
7 mins  |
March/April 2024
SUPER TROUPER
Fairlady

SUPER TROUPER

At one point, Josie Borain was the most famous model in the world. Her face was on every magazine that mattered. And in the madness of all that attention, she never lost her sense of self. She talks to us about turning 60, being single, and starting her third act with a move to the platteland.

time-read
10+ mins  |
March/April 2024
Little wonder
Fairlady

Little wonder

Over the years we have visited 16 Greek islands, but when we first set foot on Halki, the little-known gem just south of Rhodes, we knew we'd found the closest thing to the perfect one. And we vowed to return. Often.

time-read
4 mins  |
March/April 2024
HOME AFFAIRS
Fairlady

HOME AFFAIRS

These three entrepreneurs are redefining the heartbeat of homes through their unique blend of creativity, sustainability and purposeful design.

time-read
6 mins  |
March/April 2024