Norm Thompson with his new dog at Angel's Animal Rescue Society in Merritt.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Juddana Caros

A triple amputee from Vancouver Island made the trek to an animal rescue society in Merritt last month to pick up a dog to train to take care of his critical medical needs.

Norm Thompson, a heavy duty diesel mechanic, was electrocuted by 440 volts in a workplace accident twelve years ago that resulted in the removal of both of his legs last year. He already had a severely damaged right hand from a past accident.

“All the nerves and muscles started to rot over the years and my feet went black,” he said. “The surgeon said you are at the end, you have to lose the legs or infections will get into your heart.”

Thompson has a service dog named Beau trained in life-saving procedures that stays by his side 24/7, but his dog is getting old and nearing retirement. He and his support person had to find a replacement pup to train up.

After looking all over the Island, and then Vancouver, without finding a dog big enough for the job, the pair saw a media post by Angel’s Animal Rescue in Merritt about a lab/great Dane cross puppy.

“The puppy will grow to be bigger than Beau and I need a bigger framed dog to support me,” Thompson said. “I don’t want to hurt the dog and feel bad because the vet told me Beau’s hips are hurting and I didn’t know.”

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The new puppy has a big role to fill. He will be trained and eventually get certified as a service dog in Vancouver. The dog will learn how to pick Thompson up when he falls, press an emergency button when he is choking and detect when his sugar levels are dangerous.

“If I fall over, I put a cane up against a wall and the dog comes alongside and I hook onto its harness with one hand. He stands me up so I don’t need people to come to my rescue. This is what we are training the young one to do.”

Labrador/great Dane cross puppy at Angel's Animal Rescue Society in Merritt.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Judanna Caros

Thompson is a diabetic and has a choking condition, so he wears a device with an emergency button around his neck.

“My dog detects when my sugars are out of whack and he’ll sit me down,” he said. “Beau knows to push the button for help, he’ll jump up and push it with his nose. We are working with Bear to teach him to push the button because I can’t speak when I’m choking.”

The puppy is six months old.

“He's learning but he is a typical little squirt, he has a long ways to go,” Thompson said. “When we got him he wasn’t house trained at all so we were starting from scratch.”

The Angel’s Animal Rescue Society in Merritt donated the dog to Thompson and paid for its neutering and first set of shots.

“We are happy to help this man out,” said society founder Judanna Caros. “This dog is going to have a really good life. Norm has another dog and a big yard for them to run in. We rescued the dog and now the dog will rescue this person by pressing an emergency button.”

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Thompson gives the dogs an hour to play twice a day. Once their vests are taken off they know they can play and be “normal dog." He takes a Frisbee with him to appointments to throw for his dog at the park afterwards, a “reward for being a super dog.”

Caros described Thompson as “an inspiration and bright star in his community.”

When he isn’t training his new pup, he can be found fixing tugboat engines or helping new amputees or taking part in community events.

“In tugs there isn't much height in the engine room, maybe 38 inches, so I pop my legs off and away I go, I can fit in tight spots,” he said. “If I need to out on the dock I pop my legs back on.”

Thompson said local hospitals have his number on hand to pass onto new amputees who have questions. He didn’t have a coach to talk to after his amputations.

“Life is altogether different,” he said. “Now I make sure I’m there to talk with anyone who is new to it. Any amputee that says they don’t have bad days, don’t buy it. My purpose to get out to new amputees that you are going to have bad days. You rest that day, deal with what’s pulling you down and know tomorrow will be better. You keep moving ahead.”

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Thompson said a couple of months after losing his second leg, he and his support person went dancing. He most recently went on a community walk for homeless awareness where he completed a kilometre, something he is quite proud of.

Norm Thompson with his new dog at Angel's Animal Rescue Society in Merritt.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Judanna Caros

He is grateful to Angel’s Animal Rescue, B.C. Ferries who waived the cost of his crossing and vehicle both ways, anyone who contributed funds for the trip to Merritt to get the dog, and especially his friend and helper Jan Stokes. 

“Jan is my medical support person and health coach,” he said. “She helps me stay up and did the paperwork for Bear, the driving and everything. I wouldn’t be able to pull this off without her.”

Click here to for more information on Thompson and his dogs or to make a donation.

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