This episode of The Consult Room is a story of resilience, hope, and the extraordinary bond between a vet student and her assistance dog.

I’m joined by Jade, a veterinary student living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a condition that caused her to collapse without warning, forcing her to leave vet school and putting her dreams on hold. That is, until she met Jules, an alert assistance dog trained by Medical Detection Dogs.

Jules gives Jade minutes of warning before an episode strikes, allowing her to stay safe. Since being matched with him, Jade hasn’t had a single injury or hospital admission.

Together, they’ve returned to vet school, and Jade is pursuing her dream again - with Jules at her side every step of the way.

This is an inspiring conversation about the life-changing power of support animals, the impact of invisible illness, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going when everything feels impossible.

In This Episode:

• Living with undiagnosed POTS and the struggle to be heard
• The toll of repeated injuries and social isolation
• How Jules predicts fainting episodes—and how he communicates them
• The impact of assistance dogs on mental health and independence
• Returning to vet school and rebuilding a life with purpose

Key Takeaways:

• POTS can be life-limiting, especially when resistant to treatment
• Jules has given Jade not just safety, but her confidence and freedom back
• Medical alert dogs are trained to respond to an individual's unique scent patterns
• Veterinary students with disabilities face hidden challenges - but also break barriers
• Animals aren’t just companions - they can be lifelines

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Medical Detection Dogs: medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk
• For mental health support, visit Vetlife
• Follow @‌DrPaulTheVet for more episodes and updates

💬 Has a pet changed your life in an unexpected way? Share your story in the comments or tag me on social media.

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