In the city, Mika helps Tarina at work by staying calm and settled in the clinic. “Nine out of 10 of my patients don’t even know she’s there under the desk unless she yawns,” Tarina said.
Out and about, Mika loves working in built-up, busy areas, helping Tarina navigate traffic, kerbs and crowds. And on the station, Mika’s incredible skills help Tarina stay on trails and find buildings. “It can be quite difficult to navigate, especially when everything is brown because of the drought, but not with Mika.”
Tarina says it’s the everyday support that matters. She was always an active and independent person but had become reluctant to go to new places when her vision deteriorated. Travel was also getting quite dangerous. “I was covered in bruises from bumping into things and catching myself on doorknobs.”
But now Tarina is so confident with Mika, she walks very fast. “The cane slowed me down, but with Mika I walk very upright and quite quickly, which I love. I’ve actually had to do some work with Brooke, our instructor, to slow down, so my husband can keep up with us!”
