07/06/2026
Today is National Tourette’s Awareness Day 💙
You might be wondering what this has to do with dogs… 🤨 bare with me.
In December 2025, after a long five-year journey, my daughter Mia was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. Her Tourette’s presents through both motor and vocal tics, including echopraxia (copying movements).
Over the past few months, Hector has started to recognise when Mia is having tic episodes and will quietly sit, stand, or stay close to her until they pass. On weekends and during half terms, Mia sometimes joins me on my dog walks with your amazing dogs—and they’ve shown the same calm awareness and support.
Poppy, for example, will not leave Mia’s side from the moment she arrives until she’s safely back home 💕
Your dogs have helped Mia massively—not only in managing her tics, but also in getting her out, active, and more confident. I can’t thank you all enough for trusting me to care for them.
With that said, on August 15th I’ll be running my first ever 10K at Blackpool Run the Lights in support of Tourettes Action. They’ve helped me understand Mia’s condition so I can better support her and adapt to her needs throughout this journey.
I’d love to raise as much as possible so more children like Mia can better understand their diagnosis, feel less alone, and help spread awareness of a condition that is still widely misunderstood.
If you’re able to donate please click the link below, I’d be incredibly grateful. Thank you for reading 💙
https://www.justgiving.com/page/jessica-10-ellis?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
