Ralph the Therapy Dog and the Human He Chose: Celebrating Millie Bridger for EDS Awareness Month
When I first connected with Millie Bridger, I had a feeling that her session with her miniature dachshund, Ralph, would be something special. What I didn't realise was just how deeply their story would stay with me.
As someone with chronic health issues myself, I wanted to celebrate Millie and the work she does with her therapy dog, Ralph, as she is someone whose story inspires me. Though not intentionally timed, May is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Awareness Month so it seemed like the perfect time to highlight someone who not only lives with those challenges but uses them as a foundation for connection, compassion, and support for others. Millie is one of those people - bright, honest, and generous. And Ralph, her long-haired cream miniature dachshund, is not just her companion. He's her lifeline.
Together, they're making a difference - not just in each other's lives, but in the lives of so many others.
A Dog Who Chose Her
Ralph didn't just arrive in Millie's life - he showed up at a time when she needed him most. After the loss of her family dog of 15 years and a traumatic four-month hospital stay due to serious health complications, Millie was in a very dark place. But a therapy dog named Yogi changed everything.
"During this hospital stay, I was in a very dark place, millimetres away from giving up, when a Pets As Therapy dog 'Yogi' came around the wards to visit. I was lucky enough to see Yogi multiple times during my admission, which was the only thing that got me through the weeks. It was then that I turned a corner and knew I needed to continue fighting for my life so that I could get a dog of my own."
Six months later, Ralph was born. When Millie met him, the connection was instant.
"As I walked into the room, he was sitting on top of his sister whilst trying to play with his mum, which immediately made me giggle. As he noticed me, he came running up to me and snuggled into my arms - it's like he just knew. We had this instant bond; he didn't care about the tubes on my face or the medical machines I'm connected to for 22 hours a day, sitting in a backpack. He saw me for who I was, someone with so much love to give. As Ralph sat in my arms, I felt all of the trauma fade away. I felt love like I never had before, and everything in the world simply disappeared. So I guess it's safe to say we chose each other."
Living With EDS, and the Dog Who Holds It All Together
Living with EDS - a complex and often misunderstood genetic condition - affects every part of Millie's life. From pain and fatigue to fainting episodes and digestive issues, daily life is unpredictable and physically demanding. But through all of it, Ralph is there.
"Ralph is my everything, my reason to get up in the mornings no matter how much pain I'm in or whatever I have to face in the day. He wakes me up with his loving cuddles, desperately trying to get as close as he can to me. He gets me up and about on days that feel impossible to conquer. He keeps me company on the days I physically can't get out of bed, sits next to me when I'm being sick (which unfortunately happens often), and gives me the confidence to go out on days that I don't want people to look at me and my tubes and the strength to keep going."
That support is emotional, physical, and, at times, life-saving.
"I was feeling very dizzy but was unable to communicate this to my boyfriend, who was sitting next to me. Ralph was on the other side of the room, but obviously noticed something was wrong and jumped up to get my boyfriend's attention, to which he was able to respond accordingly and prevent me from sustaining injuries from a fall. Ralph has never been trained for medical alerts and was only 5 months old at the time, but picked up on this change from the other side of the room, which was absolutely incredible."
He continues to offer subtle cues even now.
"He will wake up from naps to give me a certain look, which I know means I need to lie down to prevent a medical episode, which just shows how intuitive he is. He has saved me time and time again and gives me the confidence to help me feel safe."
From Support to Service
Although Millie originally brought Ralph into her life as a personal support, it quickly became clear that his impact could go even further.
"I didn't specifically get Ralph to use for therapy for others; it was for my own benefit. However, seeing Ralph's calm presence and love for his baby cousin (who was born only 2 months before him) made me realise how much he loves children."
And the world seems to love Ralph just as much.
"I also noticed he gets a lot of attention when we go out due to his unusual colouring for a dachshund and being irresistibly cute, of course... This is when I realised how happy he makes everyone, and I want to show off his smiley superpowers to everyone."
That joy has led Millie and Ralph to volunteer work with children's hospices, SEN schools, and care homes through the incredible charity Pets As Therapy.
"Now, I always bring treats out with us, and for anyone interested, I offer if they'd like to give him a stroke or a treat. This interaction could brighten someone's day, be the only time they speak to another person that day or simply just create a smile, which makes every day worth living."
And Ralph rises to every occasion.
"The biggest moment that stands out is when Ralph and I were volunteering at the children's hospice we regularly visit, where we saw a child who was clearly very unwell. Ralph sat on their bed very calmly, and the child's hand rested on his back, with a huge smile on her face. We all heard a sigh of relief. The fact that Ralph's presence could produce such a wonderful smile at such a dark time was nothing short of magic. He was able to support the family on multiple occasions and always gave a little extra time when he knew they needed it."
The Session and the Story It Captures
When Millie booked her photography session with me, her reasons were simple and deeply meaningful.
"I couldn't help but want exactly this! I'd also love to use the photos to give out to people during our therapy visits to the children's hospice, special educational needs schools, and care homes, so they can remember our visit. I would love to get some printed and have Ralph "sign" them for a little memoir! But more than anything, I wanted to have some pictures to keep for the rest of my life, to remind me how lucky I am to be Ralph's mum and of all the wonderful memories we've shared together."
Our session together was one I'll never forget. We discussed everything - training, dogs, accessibility, and care. And throughout it all, Ralph was calm, connected, and full of warmth.
"I absolutely loved it! You were so easy to talk to, very professional and knew exactly how to get the best picture... You weren't worried about what he could or couldn't do, but simply wanted him to have fun. You helped me direct him into the right poses while being laid back, with your passion for animal welfare shining through. You gave me so many tips and tricks for developing Ralph's training, which was invaluable; I couldn't be more grateful!"
And what does Millie hope people take away when they see the photos?
"I have no doubt in my mind that when I see the photos, I will feel so unbelievably proud of Ralph and of myself for being where we are today. I hope that Ralph's personality shines through with his goofy smile, yet sophisticated pose appears every so often. I hope you can see his love for life and passion to help others through just being himself."
Final Reflections from Millie
For anyone else living with chronic illness, Millie's message is gentle, strong, and full of hope.
"It's okay to not be okay, but you never have to go through it alone. Reach out to one of the many mental health charities or the charity that supports the condition you are suffering with. Join support groups and meet others who understand what you're going through. Advocate for yourself to enable you to get the care you deserve."
She also runs her own support group, Finding Happiness Together, and offers patient advocacy through her website, milliebridger.com.
And as for therapy dogs?
"They can give distractions to families going through the unimaginable; they can give strength to people who feel weak; they bring smiles at times that feel absolutely impossible."
Learn More, Support Millie and Ralph
If you've felt moved by Millie and Ralph's story, here's how you can follow their journey and support their work:
📱 @_milliebridger (Instagram & TikTok)
🐾 @therapywithralph (Instagram & TikTok)
