A teenager who cheated death is a step closer to realising her dream of working with some of Scotland’s most special animals.
Four years ago, Aislin Smith was struck down by a rare brain condition and doctors feared she wouldn’t survive.
Her mum Anne Marie Smith, 50, was told to expect the worst and she asked that her daughter, then aged 13, to be given the last rites.
But miraculously, Aislin, form Pollok, Glasgow, pulled through.
And after learning to eat, talk and walk again, she continues to prove medics wrong. Aislin is now preparing for National 5 exams and pursuing a dream of working with Police Scotland's horses and dogs.
The inspirational teen met staff at the dog unit in Pollok Park and police horses in Stewarton, Ayrshire, to get a taste for what she could be doing in the future.
Aislin, 16, said: “It was amazing. I loved meeting the police dogs and horses.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to volunteer more often. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved animals. It was something I wanted to do as a career. After getting encephalitis, I had to learn how to do everything again. To come this far is brilliant.”
Charity worker Anne Marie added: “We are getting closer to making my daughter’s dreams come true. Aislin is our miracle. We were so close to losing her and now every moment is precious.
“As it was a brain injury Aislin still lives with extreme amnesia.
“To see her work hard at school and now this is just amazing.
“We can’t thank her school St Paul’s in Pollok and now Police Scotland enough for their support
Sergeant Mark Steinlet said: “We were delighted to welcome Aislin to meet the dogs and the horses. She is an incredible young lady and we wish her all the best for the future.”
