Finalist of the Mrs South Africa 2026 contest, Chanel Badenhorst, shares her mission with Dotsure, a proud sponsor of the Mrs SA 2026 contest. Her goal is to raise awareness about heart health and medical assistance dogs, as Golden Retriever Clara-Belle is being trained to support her during cardiac episodes.
After a sudden cardiac arrest, Chanel Badenhorst was forced to adapt to a new life that includes a pacemaker and constant rhythm issues, as well as uncertainty about when medical problems might arise.
Today, the wife, mother of two children, and Mrs South Africa 2026 finalist speaks about her experience to stimulate discussion on heart health, resilience, and accessible support for people with medical conditions.
A vital part of this story is Clara-Belle, her Golden Retriever, who is preparing to become her support dog for heart issues. For Chanel, this journey involves not only training the dog to perform specific tasks but also finding ways to feel more secure and independent while continuing to enjoy daily life.
She notes: 'Sometimes resilience is just the choice to keep participating in your own life, even when you are still afraid.'
Training Medical Assistance Dogs
Clara-Belle is training at Honey’s Garden: Medical Alert Dogs SA under the guidance of founder Lucy Breitenbach. Lucy has known Chanel for many years; she previously assisted her with her pets through her animal behavior company Just Dogs. Now, Lucy oversees Clara-Belle's specialized training.
Medical assistance dogs undergo specialized training to help people manage chronic illnesses or disabilities. Unlike therapy dogs, which provide comfort in designated places, or emotional support dogs, trained to assist owners at home, assistance dogs are ready to perform specific tasks and accompany their owners in public settings.
Clara-Belle is learning to react to changes related to Chanel's heart condition, including changes in body odor that may accompany physiological shifts. Furthermore, she is being trained to help Chanel during an episode, guide her to a safer place, and locate items such as a mobile phone or a bag of medication. Chanel also reports that Clara-Belle is mastering tasks designed to assist her in case of fainting during syncope.
The training process requires time and consistency. Clara-Belle still needs to pass additional assessments to gain public access. Her reaction to scents and ability to work reliably in busy public areas also need refinement.
Understanding the Role of Assistance Dogs
According to Lucy, suitable candidates must possess confidence and the ability to master complex tasks while remaining calm and focused in various environments. Owners also bear the continuous responsibility for maintaining their dogs' skills and undergoing annual re-certification.
Public understanding remains a challenge. People may see a dog and assume it is just a pet, unaware of the important work it performs. Lucy urges the public not to call, touch, feed, or distract a working assistance dog.
For Chanel, raising awareness could make the daily experience less difficult for people who rely on these animals. Living with a heart condition has not diminished her desire to work or be with her daughters. Clara-Belle can provide an extra layer of support while she continues with these endeavors.
Through her Mrs South Africa platform, Chanel hopes her story will prompt people to take heart symptoms seriously and learn more about the significance of assistance dogs in South Africa. She also hopes her daughters will see that courage does not mean the absence of fear. Sometimes it means taking the next step despite everything.