TRUFFLES, AMBASSADOR FOR VISION

There are many unique situations and disabilities and many of these can be greatly improved with the use of a service animal. When one thinks of service animals the best known one that comes to mind is the guide dog, or "seeing eye dog". First trained in Germany after World War I to assist soldiers who had been blinded in combat, these dogs continue to play a vital role in helping and enhancing the lives, not only of the visually impaired, but of people with a variety of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, hearing impairment, severe allergies, epilepsy and autism.

There is a difference between service animals who are specifically trained to understand the specific needs of their handler, and therapy animals who are used primarily to provide comfort, help reduce anxiety and have a positive impact on the mood and general health of people. Therapy animals do not necessarily require special training but perform their role by merely being present.

In recent years, animal trainers have been experimenting with a variety of service animals including cats, horses, monkeys and even birds. One such animal, Truffles the kitty, was not specifically trained but landed her important job in an optical practice by chance.

Starting life as a stray cat in a forest in Pennsylvania, USA, Truffles was adopted by optician Danielle Crull in October 2017. She is now changing the lives of hundreds of children by wearing glasses to help children with vision problems feel more comfortable about wearing theirs. After discovering that Truffles was intelligent and could be taught to do tricks, Danielle wondered if she would wear glasses. She fitted Truffles with frames and adjusted the fit so that they would be comfortable. After a while, whenever little children came into her optical practice, Danielle would call Truffles out to demonstrate how to wear glasses. She was amazed to find that this little act of wearing glasses put the children at ease and helped facilitate the fitting process. As an added bonus, Truffles seemed to build children's self-esteem about wearing glasses.

This began Truffles' unofficial employment at A Child's Eyes, a practice which specialises in the vision of infants, toddlers and school children. When children come into the practice, many with severe eye problems and a history of examinations, medications and sometimes surgeries, they are often terrified. Being fitted for frames can be a traumatic experience for a toddler, who is in a strange environment, can't see very well and may need multiple treatments. When things get tough, in comes Truffles to the rescue and children quickly calm down. She helps children embrace wearing glasses, encourages those who are going through occlusion therapy, and provides comfort to children who need to undergo eye surgeries. "She is literally magical with little kids," says Danielle. "It takes me at least half an hour to try and get to know them so they realize I'm not something to be afraid of, and Truffles will come strutting out from the back as if she knows exactly when I need her help." Truffles hops right up next to the child and tilts her head to have her glasses put on, and the mood changes instantly. Tears turn into smiles, and suddenly those glasses don't look so scary anymore.

Truffles has starred in a series of educational videos teaching children about things like eye examinations, wearing sunglasses outdoors and where to put your glasses when you're not wearing them. She also allowed Danielle to put an eyepatch on her glasses to help children who are suffering from amblyopia or "lazy eye" and to raise awareness of this fairly common eye condition in which the brain fails to fully process input from one eye and over time favours the other eye. It often requires occlusion therapy in the form of wearing an eyepatch which is challenging for children. Danielle was happy to see that many children were encouraged by Truffles wearing her own eyepatch. Truffles, known as Truffles the Kitty online, frequently receives messages and videos from children who are "patching." Some share that they're having a hard time, or that their eye is better, and they no longer need to wear a patch. One little girl sang a song she wrote about Truffles. Hundreds of parents of children with amblyopia have reached out to Truffles on Instagram with emotional words of gratitude.

Truffles, a former stray, is now an Ambassador for Vision. Truffles is voted Employee-of-the-month every month at A Child's Eyes and is loved and cherished not only by Danielle and her coworkers, but by everyone who comes into the practice. Truffles is now world-famous as her Facebook videos, special online features and Instagram videos are full of valuable content and have warmed the hearts of millions all around the world! Truffles is so happy that she can reach so many children with her message of love, acceptance and fashionable eyewear!