Assistance dogs do far more than most people realise — not just guiding, but helping their humans shower, get dressed, and move through the world with dignity and independence. This conversation with Claudia Hendrix reveals what life with an assistance dog actually looks like when you're a wheelchair user living alone, and how a Labrador named Katya (yes, Cat) became the reason Claudia doesn't need round-the-clock care. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How assistance dogs are trained from puppyhood through foster families, school, and personalised instruction — and why only about 80% graduate What daily tasks an assistance dog performs that most people never think about, from pulling wheelchair users upright in bed to pushing a shower chair out of spray range How the matching process works between dog and handler, and why it's more like dating than a waiting list What retirement looks like for working dogs, including how families are chosen and why handlers don't always get to keep their dogs How to navigate public spaces when not everyone understands the law around assistance dogs — and the creative ways Claudia educates as she goes Why assistance dogs wear specific harnesses and what's being developed across Europe to make identification clearer What happens during the transition period when a handler says goodbye to one dog and begins training with another A FAVOURITE MOMENT "Do you expect me to leave my wheelchair outside also? Because that's what you're asking me to do." — Claudia ABOUT CLAUDIA HENDRIX Claudia Hendrix is a connector, speaker, and advocate living with chronic illness and using a wheelchair in Alkmaar, Netherlands. She's an ambassador for KNGF Guide Dogs, where she speaks openly about how her assistance dog Katya makes independent living possible. Claudia also works as a coordinator at Stichting Still, supporting families navigating the loss of a child or parent. She previously founded JouwTransformatie and made her online academy freely available. Her writing and speaking bring warmth, gentleness, and a touch of humour to difficult topics, creating space for real conversation and hope. CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA HENDRIX Website: https://claudiahendrix.nl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HulphondKatya Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiviteitshotje and https://www.instagram.com/claudiahdrx Become a puppy foster family: https://geleidehond.nl/word-puppypleeggezin/ Free online academy: https://academy.claudiahendrix.nl/courses CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit https://soultouchedbydogs.com