Hi Emma, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a positive and happy person and I live in Varberg with my service dog Quincie. When I am not working with marketing in Gothenburg, I have a big interest in dog training. I never say no to a night out with friends or family, and I am also an adrenaline junkie, so travelling is a must - both to the sun and high up on the ski slope with a sit-ski.

Who is Quincie?

Quincie is a happy and energetic 3-year-old labrador who knows how to enjoy life. She is also a very brave and fearless dog. This girl knows what she wants and is just as stubborn as her owner, which is both good and bad. She likes to show that she can do things and is always willing to learn something new. But she is also firm about what she does not like, and one example of this is water. YES, I have the labrador who does not like to swim or go out in the rain! She absolutely does not walk through puddles unless she has to; in other words, there is a reason she has got the nickname "the little diva".

The best thing about Quincie is her optimism. She is always happy about the small things, and what is wonderful about her optimism is that it is contagious. She is extremely fond of food, and the best thing in the summer is watermelon - she lives by the motto "if it can be eaten, it must be eaten". But for her, the highlight of the day is probably when it is time for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

What was it like when Quincie moved in with you?

2 years ago my life changed - one hundred percent for the better, but it was absolutely not what I expected. Two years ago I had never owned a dog or even taken care of a dog. Now I was going to become not just a dog owner but also a dog handler. Quincie quickly taught me that the hard part was not training her to be an assistance dog; that was the easy part. The hard part was getting to know this amazing and wonderful individual who had come home to me. It took time for both of us to get to know each other and trust each other and shape a new everyday life. But I do not even want to know what these two years without Quincie could have looked like - it feels like she has always been a part of my life.

What does Quincie help you with in your everyday life?

For me, Quincie is anything but just a dog. She is a fantastic service dog and an aid for managing my everyday life more independently, this because of my disability cerebral palsy (CP injury) that affects my ability to control certain muscles in my body, which means I have difficulty with my fine motor skills and balance. Quincie helps me pick up things and move around by acting as a balance support. She can also help me take off my jacket, open doors and much more.

Has your everyday life changed since Quincie came into the picture?

Quincie is not just practical support but also an enormous sense of security and safety. The feeling of not being alone but always having your best friend by your side is indescribable. Quincie has changed my life in such a way that everyday life is always a little brighter and has so much more joy in it. She has changed the way I see myself and given me security and confidence to dare to stand up for myself and for my rights.

What do you like to do together?

We love to take forest walks together, train rally obedience and enjoy lots of cuddles.

Would you like to tell us anything more about your relationship?

The nice thing about having a service dog like Quincie is that our relationship is so equal. My relationship with Quincie is valuable and special because she needs me just as much as I need her. When the harness is on, she knows it is time to work - but when the harness comes off, she can go back to being the crazy and super social pup she really is!

We at Petgood could not be more proud to have Emma and Quincie as our ambassadors!