Download - Aura Magazine August 2011
Autumn 2011 Edition 202
NEWS & EVENTS
SUPPORT DOGS 21, Jessops RiversideBrightside LaneSheffieldS9 2RXRegistered charity no. 1088281Company Limited by guarantee 0419062
www.support-dogs.org.uk
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 0114 261 7800
Fax: 0114 2617 555
Designed byRedDog Printing [email protected] 191 364
Chairman’s reportW elcome to our twentieth
edition and Aura’s tenth
birthday!
We are celebrating with a new look
magazine, which gives us more room
for our news and information and
has enabled us to produce it without
cost to the charity via sponsorship
and advertising. If you would like to
advertise in a future edition please
contact [email protected].
uk.
Next year is the twentieth Anniversary
of Support Dogs and will see the
qualification of our 200th team.
These are major mile-stones for the
organisation and planning has already
commenced for the celebrations;
including our charity Ball, annual Gala
day, a staff and volunteer skydive and
numerous other events up and down
the country, details and dates will be
announced in the Spring edition of
Aura and on our website. If you would
like to get involved or hold your own
event, contact us at our head office on
0114 261 7800.
Over the past few years, finding dogs
of the right calibre to train, to become
fully recognised assistance dogs has
become increasingly difficult. This has
led us, with the assistance of Guide
Dogs, to start our own puppy walking
scheme. This autumn should see the
arrival of our first two recruits.
During the early part of this year Rita
Howson, our Director of Operations,
put a huge amount of work into
Support Dogs first ever Gala day, even
managing to book fantastic weather!
We would like to thank Rita, our
staff, volunteers and sponsors for all
their hard work and generosity who
all helped to make the day a huge
success.
Like many charities, as people and
businesses tighten their belts, we are
finding it harder to secure the funding
that we require. Donating is not simply
about giving your money (which of
course we need!) but you can give
your time, even if it is a few minutes
out of your day, to help us secure
the funding to keep our programmes
running. Looking after our collecting
boxes could take as little or as much
time as you could spare, yet each box
can be worth up to £25 to us. Hold a
coffee morning in your local area, or
a cheese and wine party. Join one of
our fundraising branches and enjoy
meeting new people and telling them
all about Support Dogs and the great
work that we do. All of this, without
ever costing you a penny!
There is no stronger donation than
your time. Without volunteers, Support
Dogs like most charities would not
be able to run. Volunteers are people
just like you that put in time and effort,
the compensation you receive from
being a Support Dog volunteer is an
overwhelming sense of doing good for
other people.
If you would like to find out what
volunteering opportunities we have
please contact us.
Kym Stretton
ObituariesTim Holt
26.11.1957 – 20.08.2011
Tim Holt sadly passed away in August of this year. Tim was partnered with Barney, support dog no. 66 in the Seizure Alert programme. He will be greatly missed.
Liz Langton11.02.1966 – 08.05.2011
Liz Langton sadly passed away in May of this year. Her first Support dog was Jay-Jay SD no.115 and she was currently training with her 2nd dog
who was Mac. She is pictured here with Jay-Jay.
Autumn 2011 Edition 20 3
Why not join in our 20th anniversary
celebrations?
20th anniversary2 012 marks 20 years since
Support Dogs was founded.
During this time we have
partnered over 190 people with a
support dog and transformed many
more lives!
Support Dogs was started in 1992 by
John Rogerson; a world leading dog
behaviourist. John had been lecturing
in the US and visited Top Dog; an
organisation which helps disabled
owners to train their own pet dogs to
carry out tasks to assist them. There
was not an organisation in the UK like
it. On his return home, John teamed
up with Val Strong and Support Dogs
was formed. Val established the charity
and in 1993 the first dogs were trained
and soon making a real difference to
their owner’s lives.
Just two years later Support Dogs
joined with the other Assistance dog
organisations to form Assistance
Dogs UK; the umbrella organisation for
assistance dog charities in the UK.
In 1997 Support Dogs with the help of
the National Lottery Fund established
its National Training Centre and
dedicated it to the late John Fisher
in recognition and honour of his
outstanding contribution to the world
of dogs.
John had always handled dogs as part
of his professional career and during
that time had developed
a unique approach to dog training. His
techniques formed the foundation for
the training methods applied
by Support Dogs and undoubtedly
influenced the development of the
Seizure Alert training program.
The charity moved into its current
premises in Jessops Riverside,
Sheffield in 2005 and the new
Centre was officially opened on the
7th December that same year by
our Honorary President Miss Angela
Rippon OBE. Eighteen months later
the charity was devastated by the
flooding which hit Sheffield. It took
Support Dogs more than a year to
rebuild the centre and recover, all of
which was only possible thanks to the
generosity of the public in response
to our flood disaster appeal and the
support of the South Yorkshire police
dog training department who kindly
gave the charity use of their training
facilities.
In 2008, following on from a successful
pilot study, Support Dogs launched
a new assistance dog initiative to the
UK: Autism Assistance Dogs; aimed at
improving the quality of life for children
with autism and their families.
Today the charity has a team of 14
paid staff and numerous volunteers;
sadly we have outgrown our premises!
In order to help
more people
we now need to
secure funding
for a new
purpose built
centre...so watch
this space!
Sally; the first Support Dog
We have a variety of ideas that could
make our 20th year the most
successful yet!
• Sign up to our membership scheme
for 2012 and beyond!
• Put 5 Collection tins out in your
community, we can get an average of
£25 per tin and it all adds up!
• Have you ever wanted to try a
Skydive? Do you dare take the plunge
for Support Dogs? Contact the office
for an application form and start
getting that sponsorship in!
• Make a donation in lieu of Christmas
cards: Why not give your pen a rest
and donate what you would spend on
cards to Support Dogs?
• Come dine with me! Invite your
friends round for a three course meal
and ask them to pay for what they
think the meal is worth. Then each
take turns to host and see how much
you can raise for Support Dogs.
• Donate 20 hours of your year to
Support Dogs: 20 hours out of 8760
doesn’t seem that much really does it?
We always need help at events and in
our office, so your 20 hours are very
precious to us!
• £20 challenge - simply raise £20 for
Support Dogs in any way you can!
• 20 minutes talk – could you
represent Support Dogs at your local
rotary, W.I, school or community
group? We often get requests to
talk about the work we do but
unfortunately we just don’t have
the resources, your donation of 20
minutes could raise awareness of
our fantastic dogs and gain more
supporters!
• Would your employer consider
Support Dogs as their ‘Charity of the
Year’
• Donate by texting SUPD 01 TO
70070
NEWS & EVENTS
Autumn 2011 Edition 204
O n June 4th Ross
Sheridan and
his son in law
Nick Willcox rowed a
modified bathtub down
the canals between
Liverpool and London
in aid of Support
Dogs and Epilepsy
Awareness, clocking up 297 miles and raising £1197 for the
Karen Sheridan appeal.
Ross and Nick set off from Liverpool at 7.30am on the Saturday
and rowed their bath through Wigan, Greater Manchester, and Central
Birmingham to name just a few places AND they did all this rowing
whilst dressed as pirates!
There was a lot of support for the pair on the way down, especially
from curious people wondering why anyone would take on such a
task! Their bathtub was equipped with collection buckets and the
locals in each town happily added their change to the pirate’s treasure
chest. Their journey finished on Sunday 12th June at lunchtime when
the pair, surrounded by family and friends, walked the last couple of
miles to the Packhorse and Talbot pub in Chiswick for, you guessed it,
a pirate themed celebration!
S ue Wales, 62, and her walking companion
Julie Pickering, 51, walked from Land’s
End to John O’Groats for Support Dogs
covering 1,100 miles in 62 days and raised
£6,467.83 well worth it dispite their tired feet.
“This journey has been a massive undertaking;
mentally, physically and logistically,” said Sue who
is from Guiseley, near Leeds. “However, neither of
us can think of a day when we didn’t want to get
up and start walking, no matter what the weather
or conditions.
“It has been a privilege to be fit enough to
complete the walk without any injuries, blisters or
sickness.”
The money the pair have raised will go towards
training another dog to transform someone’s life.
With each dog costing in the region of £12,000,
their donation will be a huge boost to support
dogs.
“My son Andrew has epilepsy,” she explained,
“and his life has been completely transformed by
a seizure alert dog. It gives him forty-five minutes
warning of a seizure so he can get to a place of
safety. Before he had ‘Major’ he was falling down
a lot; at one point he had scars on top of scars on
his head from falling over. Now his life is so much
better.”
The duo completed the last leg into John
O’Groats accompanied by a team of family,
friends and well-wishers with balloons,
champagne and cake to hand.
Despite the weariness Sue says she feels a
sense of almost euphoria over the challenge:
“It has been absolutely wonderful, a magical
experience for us. And every step of the way
has helped raise the money which has been
generously donated for Support Dogs.”
Liverpool to London in a bathtub!
1,100 miles over 62 days...and all for Support Dogs
We have joined up to Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon Do you want to run for Support Dogs?
We have 10 places for this eventso please get in touch at
Support dogs would like to thank all the very
generous runners who successfully completed
the London marathon 2011. Every hard
earned penny is greatly appreciated and
through your efforts the total raised was over
eight thousand pounds. A special mention
must go to Tim Hulse who completed the
marathon in a staggering time of 3 hours,14
minutes and 27 seconds, well done Tim, your
supreme achievement raised £4443.83 in total. Tim is a close friend
of Caroline Cargill whose daughter Esme has a seizure response
dog. Tim said “Thinking of how Meara has changed the families life
is what helped me through the tough times during the marathon”.
A huge thank you again, but before you hang up your running
shoes, we have 8 Golden Bond places for the 2012 London
Marathon. Please contact [email protected] for
details or to confirm your place.
Autumn 2011 Edition 20 5
Caption CompetitionC an you think of a caption for the photo?
It’s just a bit of fun. Entries will be judged
on their humour and originality, please send in
your caption and the best one will be printed in the
next edition. If you have a funny or unusual photo
that we could use please send it to us at marketing@
support-dogs.org.uk
New Graduates 2011Judith Margolis
& AlfieDisability
Assistance Lhaso ApsoCambridge
Brenda Cupitt & Nelson
Disability AssistanceLabrador/Retriever X
Sheffield
Darren Hickford& Rosie
Disability Assistance Chocolate
LabradorKent
Margaret Wakelin & Ollie
Disability Assistance Airedale
TerrierLincolnshire
Linda Brannon & Bailey
Disability Assistance
YellowLabrador
Tyne and Wear
Ethan Dyson & JayAutism Assistance
Curly CoatRetriever/Labrador X
Manchester
Alison Harvey & Rhubarb
Disability Assistance
Jack Russell Terrier
Hertfordshire
TRAINING STORIES
Autumn 2011 Edition 206
E arly on Sunday June 12th a group of Support Dog’s trainers met at
the training centre and headed off to Coventry for a one day course by Sarah Whitehead, a renowned behaviourist and exceptional speaker. Sarah studied under the late John Fisher one of Britain’s best known animal behaviourists and pioneers of positive renforcement training. We had been looking forward to the course, held by the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), which would give us an opportunity to listen and debate with one of the country’s leading canine behaviourists on a subject we are all passionate about.
It was a fantastic day which we all enjoyed a great deal. The wonderful thing about Sarah is she doesn’t simply lecture, but she encourages lively debate so that everyone can offer their own ideas and raise questions on the subjects being discussed. The topics we covered included canine body language and communication, as well as the human aspect of dog training i.e. working with and supporting clients throughout their training and finding ways to adapt your training skills to meet the needs of each individual. I found this to be an invaluable experience that has fuelled my passion to study the wonderful world of canine
Training the trainersSupport Dog instructor Fran Hill gives us an insight to a how a training course can help in a world of canine behaviour and training
behaviour and training, something that at Support Dogs we are lucky enough to work with everyday.
There are of course always challenges and stressful parts of every working role for both humans and dogs, but we are fortunate enough to do something that we love and within our roles we get to share our enthusiasm and skills for dog training with the people we work with. Opportunities like
Life-changing Education Courses in
Canine Behaviour & Trainingwith Sarah Whitehead & Alpha Education
www.thinkdog.org01753 856 780
• Think Dog! Courses - Certificate to Advanced • State-of-the-art methods, resources and materials • Courses fully accredited by Open College Network • Personal contact with friendly, experienced tutors • Home study or attendance. One day to one year
What is he telling you?
Support Dogs ad 2011 Tamaskan 2.indd 1 31/8/11 10:05:28
this provide invaluable support in developing our skills which help us improve upon the life transforming work that we do for both people and their canine assistants.
It just goes to show training really can transform lives.
Autumn 2011 Edition 20 7
E than was born in 2003, at birth he was very advanced and whilst
being weighed he was almost sitting upright and looking all around taking everything in.
As a baby he was very easy going, ate well and slept well, you could forget you had him. Ethan met all his milestones early and before he was two, he was walking, talking and almost potty trained. He often suffered from earaches and sore throats requiring antibiotics but was otherwise happy and healthy. About a month after his second birthday, my husband John, Ethan and I went away for a long weekend for a friend’s wedding. We took a child away with us who was physically able and bright, and came back with a child who did not want to eat or sleep, he stopped talking, in fact we were due to see my mum later on the Monday and after talking to his granny on the phone the last word that he said was ‘goodbye’. He was back in nappies and had to wear pull ups. He stopped eating, he wouldn’t eat. Ethan
became disruptive and was asked to leave Rhythm time music group, he went to pre-school but they said there was nothing wrong with him but that he was a bad tempered child. I removed him from Nursery after the team there said that he was naughty, we were asked by the nursery not to talk to other parents about him and living in a village it was very isolating. Within two months he was seen by the doctor and they set up tests, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc. the results came back that Ethan had communication and social problems but was too young to diagnose with Autism. He had regressed to the extent that he couldn’t blow bubbles or suck a lolly. Ethan had to learn so many things again and had frequent tantrums which sometimes would last all day. Twelve months later he was diagnosed with Autism. Ethan’s behaviour was such that on a number of occasions people would make comments and make us feel so inadequate, I felt like shouting at them that he was not naughty or spoiled. One lady even said that he needed a good slap.
I had grown up with dogs and have a great love of them; I thought a pet dog would be nice and that it would get us out and about for walks. I heard about dogs trained for children with Autism and
applied to Support Dogs. Following a wait we were matched with Jay a curly coat retriever cross Labrador.
Since being matched and trained with Jay, Ethan is very much more sociable. Initially Ethan was very possessive with Jay and thought that people were laughing at him, he did not want them to talk to his dog, did not want other people to talk to him. As time has gone on however he is now interacting more with people and they ask him about Jay. We also have noticed the difference in people’s attitudes being more accepting of Ethan’s disability. Ethan is more relaxed about it now and has a greater degree of social interaction; he has come on in leaps and bounds at school. Ethan has friends now, having been on summer holidays for the last six weeks it was lovely for him to get on the school bus and ask to sit next to his friend Tom who he had not seen since July.
Jay has given Ethan more confidence; he is more physically active and has fewer tantrums. Jay is just wonderful, he has given us all so much, I enjoy my time and walks with Jay, I enjoy greater interaction. We couldn’t get Ethan in the garden last year but now we have trouble getting him back indoors!
What a difference a ‘Jay’ makes
Autumn 2011 Edition 208
GALA DAY
Support dogsfirst Gala daySunday 3rd July saw us stage the first ever Support Dogs Gala Day…and what a fantastic occasion it was! The
sun shone, people thronged Hillsborough Park and we were proud to welcome the Deputy Lord Mayor of Sheffield,
Councillor John Campbell, and the Consort Deputy Lady Mayoress Catherine Taylor to officially open the event.
It was hard work, and all the staff worked their socks off, but it was well worth it. In fact we have already started laying
plans for next year…so make sure you make a note in your diary to keep 1st July 2012 free!
The Gala Day was fantastic,
well done to all the Support Dog
Staff and volunteers for all their
hard work, not just at the event
but also the many months of
preparation that went in to it.
I’m sure it was a great success
and raised awareness of the
wonderful work you do every
day to provide Support Dogs for
people with Epilepsy, Autism and
disabilities of varying types, these
dogs do make people’s lives
better – I can vouch for that!
Lynn Ratcliffe
It was an enjoyable day and a great
privilege to officially open the first ever
Gala Day staged by Sheffield’s own
charity, Support Dogs. Anything we
can do to let the public know about
the work they do, and to encourage
them to contribute, can only be to the
benefit of society as a whole.
Cllr John Campbell
“
“
“
“
Autumn 2011 Edition 20 9
“ “Thank you for a wonderful Gala
Day, so well organised and
thought out. Everyone I spoke to
was most impressed. May this
become an annual event!
Brenda, Millie and Nelson
A BIG thank you to everyone who helped
make our Gala Day a success!
Autumn 2011 Edition 2010
The Support Dogs Skydive Team
T hey may be all smiles now but
just wait until they’re 20,000ft in
the air!
Support Dogs staff are all taking to the
skies for Support Dogs!
They’re hoping to raise £12,000 as a
team to cover the costs of training
a new puppy, so please help them
reach this target by sponsoring them
whatever you can - every penny
counts!
You can sponsor them by going to
www.justgiving.com/supportdogs-
skydive or pledge an amount next time
you contact the office.
They are being very brave so let’s
show them some support and sponsor
them!
GALA DAY
C ollecting tins are one of the oldest forms of fundraising and are still very effective! Each box contains
an average of £25, if we managed to get 20 tins out in one town that’s £500 for Support Dogs! Now
just think how much we can raise with 20 tins in 20 towns......!
Why don’t you get the ball rolling in your area, just take 5 collecting tins and put one in your local news-
agent, bakery, fish and chip shop, Pub or anywhere you think the tin would be able to gather loose change.
Such a small task for you would have huge benefits for us!
Collecting tins
T he Demo Team had their first taste of fame at the Gala
Day and although it was extremely warm weather, the
demonstration went off without a hitch!
The idea behind putting the team together is to raise
awareness of the wonderful work that Support Dogs can do
and the variety of specialised tasks they perform.
From left to right; Ruth Vear and Oscar, Jay Olpen, Julie Olpen and Daphne,
Trish Renshaw and Tigger, Irene Rowley and Sadie.
Left to Right: Top ; Fran Hill,Tracy
Moore, Helen Shelton, Nicola Hallam,
Michelle Bellamy, , Bottom; Sarah
Moore, Nathan Barnes,
Introducing the Support Dogs Demo Team
Autumn 2011 Edition 20 11
FEATURE
B renda Cupitt lives in
Sheffield and has severe
arthritis which affects
her spine, hands and joints. She
lives on her own except for Millie
(retired) and Nelson, her two
support dogs.
Ten years ago, Millie a rescue
dog, was trained to carry out
numerous tasks including helping
Brenda undress, strip the bed, pick
up objects and pick items from
supermarket shelves Brenda can’t
reach. She stands up at the till
with Brenda’s purse in her mouth,
waits for the change and puts
the purse in the shopping basket.
Brenda says, “Millie changed
my life, she made me feel less
vulnerable when out and about.’
Millie has retired now; So Nelson
has been trained to take her place
while Millie enjoys her hard earned
retirement. But it hasn’t really
worked out that way…Nelson
hadn’t been trained to strip the
bed, but he sat and watched a
couple of times as Millie did it,
then jumped up and joined in.
Brenda can’t grasp the duvet
cover in her hands so has to clutch
it with her arms while telling Millie
to go back. Millie moves back
shaking her head to work the
cover loose. Her other favourite
job is to bring the pile of washing
down and load the machine. Now
she and Nelson take turns putting
it in.
Millie is deaf, but Nelson hears
the postman coming. When she
sees him heading to the door she
tries to get past. The postman
bundles Brenda’s mail with an
elastic band and Millie picks it up
and brings it to her. If they get
there at the same time they will
each hold one end!
Brenda sometimes takes the
dogs to visit two gentlemen, Jim,
89 and Dick, 85 to spend time with
them. On Sundays she is taken
to church and when 9-year-old
Jodie (just 1 of 10 children in her
family) sees her arrive she looks
after Millie. The youngsters fetch a
blanket for the dogs to lie on. One
of them often dozes off during the
service and can be heard snoring,
the other dog often rests his head
on the sleeping partner for a better
view. The band members think it’s
hilarious.
Nelson is taken to the youth
club every Friday for a trip out
on his own but Brenda says she
doesn’t know what her life would
be like without the pair of them,
“I didn’t think I could love another
dog having had Millie so long, but
Nelson is a marvel.” Brenda Cupitt.
KyeKye my disability assistance dog
was an enthusiastic and diligent
worker and now he is enjoying
a care-free retirement. His day
starts with a nice walk and a play
followed by breakfast. He then
gets on the sofa for a sleep which
he does really well I might add.
Lunch time comes around and
its play time with Poppy, my
new Support Dog, we all
then head off to a nearby
lake for the dogs to have a
swim. Something he loves
even more now that he has
the competition of Poppy.
All in all he loves his life as
a Dog.
AjaySadly some Support Dogs, like
people, find themselves facing an
early retirement. This can be due
to health, injury or other problems.
Ajay is one of these dogs, shortly
before his fifth birthday, he was
diagnosed with hip and back
problems, despite the very best
medical care his condition meant
that surgery was not possible
and the heartbreaking decision
was made for him to retire from
his role as a Seizure Alert dog.
Ajay had also been trained to
guide his owner Tony who has a
degenerative eye condition.
Fortunately with the early
diagnosis and the help of
hydrotherapy, acupuncture
and physio, Ajay was able to
continue working comfortably
until his successor was found.
Due to deterioration in Tony’s eye
condition it was decided that Tony
now needed a dual purpose dog
to be trained by Support Dogs and
Guide Dogs. She has now trained
with Hetty who has qualified as
a Guide dog and will hopefully
qualify as a Seizure Alert Dog later
this year.
Ajay continues to live with his
family, and has become Tony’s
youngest daughter’s pet dog, a
role which he has settled into with
relish. He loves nothing better than
rolling in cowpats and swimming in
murky waters or curling up with his
little girl for a cuddle!
Retirement is...
FEATURE
12
Dear Charlie,I am a 4 year old ex-racing machine from the Isle of Man and my name is Barry. Racing, is well, in my blood, but I just can’t help myself and still chase the motorbikes, even though I am retired and have hung up my goggles a long time ago. My mum is upset and says if I don’t stop I will have to GO, gulp! Don’t want this to happen, that would be the pits and would certainly lose my sheene !
Dear Barry,I can sympathise with your situation, it is hard when you have spent all your life doing something you love and then suddenly being told you can’t do it anymore.
My advice to you would be to tell your owner not to give up on you and let you go, but to ask for some help from a good dog trainer who may be able to teach you to be calmer around fast moving things like bikes and birds, etc. I know they look fun and chasing is in your blood, but these things can be dangerous and no one wants to see you get hurt.
Why don’t you try going to an old track and doing some races just for fun, that way you will still get your fix and no one gets hurt.
I hope this helps.
All the Best Charlie x
Dear CharlieDo you have a problem? Maybe Charlie can help...
Dear Charlie,Erm, I have a little problemSometimes there is a smell.It really is quite horribleI need your help, please tell. I realy don’t know what to do My plea is from the heartI always, always, get the blameYet its not me from the start. Can you help me somehowAnd let my pain be goneI will be eternaly gratefullsigned M.I.S.S ( Anon )
Dear MISS Anon Im glad you’ve contacted me,I’ll tell you this for free
Don’t let this problem get you downLets have a look at that smelly frown What do you eat that makes you smellWhat ever it is speak up, tell
Ask your owner for another dietTo get your tum to be quiet!
Make sure you keep to the same foods(this may also improve your moods)
Any more problems see your vetHope this helps you become a stink free pet!
Charlie x
Dear Charlie,.Can I call you Charlie, in fact thats my problem, mate. I think everyone is my friend ! I run up to all dogs and just want to play, but a couple of times, I have been told off. My other half, Rachel, is annoyed and won’t go for a run out with me now as she does not want to be told off herself. Any advice would be appreciated, cheers pal.
Hello Joey, How you doing?You have got to be careful out there, not everyone is as nice as you think. I am guessing you are still a youngster, perhaps you have not met many dogs on a regular basis?Ask Rachel to take you to puppy socialising classes. There will be lots of dogs and puppies for you to meet and make friends with. But you will also learn when you can interact and when you have to chill and settle down. Let me know how you get on , wont you.Thank you for being my friend
RegardsCharlie x
If you would like Charlie to give advice on your doggy dilemma’s please email your questions to [email protected]
Autumn 2011 Edition 20
Autumn 2011 Edition 20 13
First class support from a first class hotel
E veryone at Support Dogs wants to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Max Flude and all his staff at the Hilton Hotel in Sheffield.
Max was won over to our cause and decided he wanted to do something to help…but we couldn’t have dreamed of how much support he and his staff would give us.First he offered our clients complimentary accommodation at the Hilton – with breakfast thrown in. But, typical of the first rate staff there, they were also happy to go the extra mile. One of our clients with special dietary requirements was staying there and fresh, gluten and soya free bread was made available every morning. How’s that for the personal touch?He also offered to help us with our visit to Crufts next year and put in a good word with his colleague at Birmingham Hilton, to arrange accommodation at their sister hotel right next to the arena at reduced rates - saving us time, money and stress!A very big, heartfelt ‘thank you’ from Support Dogs to Max and all his team!
W hen Lynne Ratcliffe was diagnosed with epilepsy not only was
her life turned upside down, it also meant that her lifelong following of Manchester City Football club was curtailed. It was too difficult and dangerous for her to travel to away matches and she had to make do with watching it on the television at home. Attending home games was also hazardous not only for her but also her carer as post seizure Lynne can become distressed and unpredictable.
Three years ago all that changed when she was matched with Dougal, a Dogs Trust Lurcher cross. Dougal was trained as her Seizure Alert Dog giving Lynne valuable warning to an impending seizure. He has transformed
A four legged footie fanLynne’s life, not only is it now safer for her and her carer to attend home matches but she has travelled the length and breadth of the country following her beloved team on their away fixtures.
To Lynne’s delight earlier this year Manchester City qualified for the FA cup semi-final to be played at Wembley. Lynne attended both this semi-final and the final. Much to her delight they won! Lynne was also thrilled to hear from an official that Dougal was the first Assistance Dog to step foot or should we say paw into the new Wembley stadium. Lynne and Dougal have more recently been made Fan of the Week for MCFC and is very well known by the supporters club! Both pictured with the FA Cup.
DONATION/MEMBERSHIP FORM
Autumn 2011 Edition 2014
All our Christmas cards are marked that they are sold in support of support dogs and carry our logo and charity number
q I would like to become a Friend of Support Dogs (£10 per annum, single payment)
q I would like to join Support Dogs family (min £3 per month standing order)
q I would like to make a donation to Support Dogs
Title:…..…... First Name:…………………….……………..Surname:……….........……………………………………
Address:………………………………………………….........………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………Postcode:…........……………………
Signature:………………………………………………...........………………….…….Date:………/………./………..
Telephone:……………………….....…..Email:……......…………………………………………………………………
qPlease find payment enclosed qI wish to pay monthly direct from my bank account (min £3 per month)
Please complete the details below and return to: Support Dogs, 21 Jessops Riverside, Brightside Lane,
Sheffield, S9 2RX. DO NOT RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR BANK
To : (Name of Bank)…………………………………………………………………………………...…………..
(Address of Bank)………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Please pay Support Dogs: £……….…. (figures) ………………………………..(words) Monthly / Annually
Starting on ………./………./………. and in each month / year until …………………………….........………
Account number:……………………………………………………Sort code: ……………….………………..Payable to Lloyds TSB, 14 Church Street, Sheffield, S1 1HP – the account of Support Dogs LtdA/c No. 03938225 Sort Code: 30-97-51
Christmas Card Order FormName: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Postcode: _____________________________Telephone:______________________________________
Email ______________________________________________________________________________
Items ordered:
Santa’s beard (Pack of 10 cards) Quantity ________ £____________
Christmas Joy (Pack of 10 cards) Quantity ________ £____________
Christmas Village (Pack of 10 cards) Quantity ________ £____________
P & P _______________ £____________
Donation £____________
Total £____________
Make your donations worth a third more to Support Dogs but at no extra cost to you!
I am a UK taxpayer & I want the charity to treat: All donations and subscriptions I have made from 6th April 2000 and all those I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid donations
Date of declaration: ………./………./………. Signed:……………………………………………………..
To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax or capital gains taxmust at least equal the amount we will claim in the tax year (currently25p for every £1 donated).
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P&P details - 1 pk – £1.502 pks - £3.00 - 3 pks or more £3.50
£3.99 per pack
Autumn 2011 Edition 20 15
Recent Donations:•Mrs A.E. Hawksworth, Mrs Christine Batham, Mrs Betty Jackson and Mrs Ann McLennan raised £100 for Support Dogs from their Annual Plant Sale held at Mrs C.A. Batham’s home.•£10,000 from The Derek Wilton Dogs Trust•Marjorie Viggars Charitable Trust £1000•Thanks to Hilda Clayton for £100 donation and for preparing a wonderful raffle prize and for donating items to sell/auction/raffle•Kirkby Lonsdale & District Dog Training Club donated £101.77•Sheffield Homes donated £80.00•The Bracknell Lodge of Freemasons donated £500•Bromsgrove Lions Club raised £700 from their annual sponsored walk and also donated £20 Gift Voucher•Thanks to Kathy Ward, Lynne Ratcliffe and Co for attending the Guide Dogs Gala Day on Sunday 4th September and raising £294.87. •£322 from GiveACar scheme•Thanks to Peter & Jan Bevan from Stambourne K9 Training for holding a fun dog show for a local fete and raising £69 for Support Dogs•Thanks to Mrs J Allen for holding a garden fete on 3rd July 2011 at East Runton and raising a fantastic amount of £1729.70•£50 donation from Queen Elizabeth School•£100 raised from Rother Valley Campus, Spring Showcase Event 15th May 201•Hucknall Canine Hydrotherapy Centre raised £46.39 from having a Support Dogs collection tin•Felixstowe Dog Training Club donated £300
Talk: Stepping StonesBlythe House Hospice, Chapel-en-le-FrithMonday 24th October (Time TBC)
Awards CeremonySaturday 26th November 2011 (Venue and time TBC)
Talk: Living with epilepsy information daySimon Anderson will be giving a talk about the work of Support Dogs at 1.45pm at Epilepsy Action: Living with epilepsy information day Winchester Guildhall, BroadwayHigh Street, WinchesterSaturday 3rd December 2011 (12.00pm – 4.00pm)
Crufts, Birmingham NEC (Hall 2 Stand 58)Thur 8th – Sun 11th March 2012 (8.15am – 5.30)
Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon 2012Silverstone Motor Racing Circuit, NorthamptonshireSunday 11th March 2012Support Dogs have 10 guaranteed places available.(For a guaranteed place, each runner is required to raise a minimum of £350 for Support Dogs)
Talk: Women’s Institute, BirminghamTuesday 10th April 2012 at 7.30pm
Virgin London Marathon 2012, LondonSunday 22nd April 2012Support Dogs have 8 Golden Bond Places available.(For a guaranteed place, each runner is required to raise a minimum of £1000 for Support Dogs)
Talk: Ecclesall Women’s GroupEcclesall Church, SheffieldTuesday 19th June 2012 at 7.30pm
Support Dogs Gala DayHillsborough Park, Hillsborough, Sheffield,Sunday 1st July 2012
Talk: Women’s InstituteBakewellTuesday 17th July 2012 at 7.30pm
Forthcoming events 2011/12
Is your Support Dog
photogenic?
We are actively looking
for special pictures
to be made into
Christmas cards for
our anniversary year. So if you are out and about on a
snowy or frosty day why not take a few snaps and send
them to us at [email protected]
Christmas Star
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