Chloe Fuller always thought her life would follow a seemingly perfect script: she was sporty, social, and academically gifted. But everything changed in 2011, when a seemingly minor infection left her severely ill and never fully recovering. At just 13, Chloe faced a reality in stark contrast to her dreams: she lost her friends, her ability to attend school, and the independence that teens typically gain at that age.
Suddenly having to get to grips with the idea that her life was not going to be as she’d imagined, she felt isolated, grieving the version of herself she’d lost. But then Chloe found hope in the most unexpected place - watching Crufts on TV. There, she saw a person with an assistance dog and immediately knew: “That’s it. That’s my way out of this.”
With no funds for formal training and a three-year wait for a charity-provided dog, Chloe did what few would dare: she trained her own assistance dog from scratch. After researching breeds and methods, she found Mr. Ted - a puppy who had been too sick to be sold with his litter, but whom Chloe describes as “born for it.”
Their bond was instant. Mr. Ted, her fated companion, gave Chloe not just help, but hope. "My dog makes it so that I’m less disabled,” she explains, “and suddenly I had something to be proud of again.”
But the road was still rocky. A life-threatening flare-up in 2018 became a turning point, and after a harrowing hospital stay, Chloe emerged with clarity and determination: “I just needed to grab the bull by the bloody horns.”
Chloe’s tenacity paid off. What started as a three-minute conversation with Clare Balding at Crufts became Chloe’s unexpected debut as a TV presenter. Later, a chance encounter at DogFest - the first public event she attended as a disabled person - led to her signing with an agent and landing regular TV work, and becoming the Features Manager at DogFest itself.
Chloe now uses her platform to advocate for disabled voices, tell stories through her dog performances, and show what assistance dogs can truly do. Her story is a raw, inspiring reminder of the power of grief, growth, grit - and a good dog named Mr. Ted, with his sidekick Mr Cinnamon.
Chloe and Mr. Ted are gearing up for the next stop on their DogFest journey at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire on the 7th and 8th of June, followed by a summer tour across the UK, including Tatton Park in Cheshire, Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Ashton Court in Bristol, Howard House in Leeds, and Loseley Park in Surrey.
DogFest celebrates everything we love about dogs - with agility courses, expert training sessions, fun dog shows, and plenty of opportunities to bond with your furry friend. With live music, family entertainment, artisan food and craft stalls, and a bustling marketplace, it’s the ultimate destination for a joyful, feel-good day out!
You can follow along on the tour on Chloe’s instagram @thesuperspaniels and get tickets for DogFest here.
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