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Support
Dogs new retail partner |
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Support Dogs has joined forces with The Body Shop at Home thanks to
local consultant Lindsay Garthwaite in effort to raise much needed
funds for the charity.
The new partnership will be officially launched at a special Pure
Pamper Party at the charity's National Training Centre on Wednesday
23rd July where guests will be able to sample the Body Shop's
indulgent body products and award winning body butters as well as
taking advantage
of some exclusive special offers including up to 50% off some
products!
The evening will raise vital funds for the charity as Support Dogs
will receive commission on all sales. The event starts at 7.00pm and
everyone is welcome.
 If you
can't make the party, don't worry, you can check out the online
catalogue and still take advantage of the special offers and
fantastic products!
Simply click on the Body Shop logo on the left to browse the
catalogue, then print off an order form by
clicking here and
sending it to Support Dogs at the usual address with your cheque
made payable to "Lindsay Garthwaite".
You can then collect your order from Support Dogs at your
convenience. Delivery normally takes between 3 -5 working days.
Support Dogs Marketing & Fundraising Officer Angela Gregory said,
"The Body Shop is not only known for its fantastic products but also
for its belief that business can and should make positive impact on
the world and that animals should not be tested on.
"Such business values sit extremely well not only alongside Support
Dogs' aim to improve the lives of disabled people but also with that
fact that it is the love of dogs that is at the heart of all our
partnerships."
As well as the launch party, the
charity hopes that supporters will also book their own home parties
with Lindsay who is kindly donating her commission from all such
events to the charity.
"Hosting a party is simple and
fun," explains Lindsay. "Choose a date and invite your friends. I'll
be there with lots of fabulous products and special offers. Just
remember when you book your party to nominate Support Dogs as your
beneficiary. Companies are also welcome to book parties."
To book your own party, please
contact Support Dogs on 0114 261 7800.
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Support
Dogs aim to break world record |
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 Support
Dogs is aiming to help break the existing Guinness World Record
by taking part in this year's Great British Duck Race that will see
over a quarter of a million plastic ducks released into the River
Thames!
The Great British Duck Race takes place on Sunday 31st August, on a
1km stretch of the River Thames near Hampton Court Palace. 2008 will
see the existing record blown out of the water!
At 12.30pm on “DUCK DAY” a quarter of a million individually
numbered plastic ducks will be dropped into Molesey Lock and then
released into the Thames to begin the race at 1.30pm. It is
anticipated that the race will take one hour and thirty minutes to
complete, with the natural current of the river carrying the ducks
along the course.
You can now be part of this unique event, raise money for Support
Dogs as one of the registered benefiting charities and be in with a
chance of winning one of 30 fantastic prizes, including £10,000 for
the first duck to cross the finish line.
The Duck Race is working in close partnership with the River Thames
Alliance and the Environment Agency to ensure that every plastic
duck is removed from the Thames on completion of the race and then
recycled or reused. Spectators and participants are welcome to
attend the race, there will be entertainment, charity stands and
refreshments being served along the course near Hampton Court.
Angela Gregory, Support Dogs Marketing & Fundraising Officer, said:
"The Duck Race is a fantastic opportunity to have some fun, raise
some money and have the chance to win £10,000, as well as take part
in a Guinness World Record attempt. This event appeals to children
and adults of all ages and I would like to encourage as many
of our friends and their friends and relatives to take part and
spread the word.”
Taking part is simple. You can
either:
1. Sign up online at
www.thegreatbritishduckrace.co.uk.
2. Download the order form by clicking on the duck logo to the right
and return your completed order form along with your cheque made
payable to Support Dogs to Support Dogs, 21 Jessops Riverside,
Brightside Lane, Sheffield, S9 2RX.
3. Sign up online as above
AND print off the order forms for your friends and family to
sign up too!
To find out more about the Great British Duck Race, visit:
www.thegreatbritishduckrace.co.uk
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Ruthless thieves vandalise charity vehicle |
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 An
act of mindless theft at the weekend has left Support Dogs in the
lurch. Parts of the charity’s transport van were callously stolen
rendering it unsafe to drive. As a consequence of this despicable
act crucial assistance dog training has had to cease until the van
is repaired.
Angela Gregory, marketing manager
for the Support Dogs commented: “This is terrible. I can’t
understand what type of person would steal from a charity. The van
is an integral part of our daily activities, we use it to pick up
dogs from our foster carers for their training. We were also due to
attend an exhibition at the weekend using the van to transport our
equipment, we ended up going in one car although it meant we were
not able to make the most out of the exhibition than we would have.
“This also results in us incurring
costs, we have to pay the excess on the insurance for the repair of
the van, which will increase our premiums and there is the
potentially lost revenue from the exhibition.”
Angela continued: “It is extremely
important to have consistency with the dogs training as any
interruption can cause a set back. I am hoping this week without our
van will not affect the dogs too much and the repairs will be done
quickly to enable us to resume the training programme as soon as
possible.”
The criminals were caught in the
act on CCTV although the police are appealing to anyone who has any
further information to give them a call on 0114 296 4080.
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Miracle
man raises thousands for charity |
 Simon
Anderson, aged 50 from Taunton in Somerset and his fundraising dog
Fudge, have raised nearly £11,000 in aid of Support Dogs.
This is a great achievement by any body’s standards, but back in
1999, Simon had to overcome one of the biggest challenges he would
ever face. Aged just 42, Simon had a near fatal accident at work
whilst riding his Police patrol motorcycle. The accident left him
paralysed from the waist down and he spent 15 months at Salisbury
Spinal Unit.
Unlike most, Simon was determined that his injuries would not beat
him. He said: “I felt so humbled by the whole experience, the
fantastic care and help I received during this time, I felt in my
heart that someway, somehow I wanted to give something back in
return.”
Simon and his German shorthaired pointer Fudge have supported the
charity since 2004. Simon came across the Support Dogs website,
where he applied to be a guest speaker/ fundraiser for them, and he
hasn’t looked back since!
Simon said: “Fudge is a great friend, companion, pet and family
member, we are joined at the hip. She is so sensitive and aware of
my mood, health and well being, she knows when I am coming down with
something before I do!
He continues: “Fudge has vastly improved my quality of life and we
go everywhere together. She will recover many items for me including
the post, car keys, money and the telephone. She can also deliver
hand written messages and summon help. Also when fishing, Fudge will
tell Simon when he has a bite and insists on giving the fish a kiss
before release, the list is endless!”
Simon and his wife Claire trained Fudge themselves, Support Dogs did
offer to train her but Simon respectfully declined. “I want all the
money I raise to make a difference to someone less fortunate than
myself.” He explains.
Over the last four years, Simon and Fudge have attended numerous
events and venues, spreading the all-important word about the life
transforming work the charity does. They have given talks in
Schools, Women’s Institutes, Rotarians, Freemasons, private clubs
and nursing homes.
He has also arranged a number of fundraising events, one of which
includes ‘Hoggin The Bridge’. This is a charity ride across the
Severn Bridge by the Bridgewater Chapter of the Harley Davidson’s
owners club. This is now known as a yearly event and will take place
in October this year. Both Simon and his wife will be taking part,
Simon will be riding his Trike whilst Claire will be riding her
1000cc Honda Firestorm.
As well as the ride, Simon has a list as long as his arm of events
and fundraising ideas for the rest of 2008.
Angela Gregory, Support Dogs Marketing and Fundraising Officer,
said: “Simon is a true ambassador for Support Dogs and we are all
extremely thankful for everything he has done to help us. We are not
a government funded charity and rely entirely on donations and
fundraising which is why the fantastic work that Simon does means so
much to the charity.”
If your organisation, club, school or company are based in the
Somerset area and would be interested in Simon coming to speak to
you, then give Support Dogs a call 0114 261 7800.
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New
online donations site |
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 In
response to recent requests Support Dogs has set up a new online
fundraising page for donations specifically for the Autism
Assistance Dog Appeal.
Fundraising Officer Angela Gregory
explains, "We have recently received a number of enquiries
from people wishing to make donations online and at the same time
wanting to ensure that their donations are put towards our new
Autism Assistance Dog programme. This new site will now allow them
to do exactly that."
"The charity now operates three very
specific programmes so it is not unusual for donors to request that
their money goes towards a particular programme. We want to make
sure our supporters can donate with the peace of mind to know that
their money will go exactly where they want it to."
Donations can be made by simply clicking
on the logo below and following the on screen instructions.
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New
fundraising pack now available |
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 Support
Dogs have issued a new fundraising pack to help the charities many
volunteers raise the vital funds needed for its work.
Fundraising Officer Angela Gregory
explains, "Support Dogs receives no government funding and we rely
on the generosity of the public to continue our life transforming
work so we want to help their efforts in any way we can and
hopefully this new pack will offer ideas and practical advice for
anyone wishing to help."
The charity does charge for its services
and each dog can cost in the region of £10,000 to train so such
support is vital in order to continue training Support Dogs and to
meet the ever increasing demand for their services.
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Three
is not a crowd! |
Kym Stretton of Mansfield, has gained
more independence than ever, with the help of Support Dogs,
and her third disability assistance dog Baxter!
Kym was born with Hypophosphatemia osteomalacia that is a
degenerative condition, which causes constant pain and greatly
affects her mobility. This made everyday tasks we all take for
granted impossible for her to carry out.
Luckily for Kym, she happened to be watching a television programme
when Support Dogs appeared. Having given this much thought, she gave
the charity a call to see if her German Shepherd Zeta could be
trained.
“Everything changed,” explains Kym. “It took just eight months to
train Zeta to be a fully-fledged Support Dog. The transformation on
my life was remarkable I could now go out on my own. I didn’t have
to ask for help all the time as Zeta was always at my side to lend a
helping paw. I grew in confidence and regained my independence.”
After just a few years sadly Zeta was retired due to health
problems. With the help and encouragement of Support Dogs, Kym began
to train another German Sheppard called Zoe.
As Kym had already had a lot of experience in training dogs, she
knew a lot of what was required and she made sure that she had begun
some basic training with Zoe from day one. After a year, all the
hard work was rewarded as Zoe qualified as Kyms second disability
assistance dog.
Kym Said: “Zoe was a wonderful support and my best friend. She
always knew when I was feeling down and would lay her head on my
knee to cheer me up”
Zoe remained as Kym’s assistance dog for many years, but due to her
age, and the length of service it was decided that she would have to
retire.
After having two, fantastic German Sheppard’s as Support Dogs, Kym
never really thought of having any other breed. Although, when she
first met Baxter just before Christmas 2006 it was love at first
sight!
He was an adorable, eight week old, yellow Labrador that quickly
settled in with Kym, husband Ray and their two other dogs Zeta and
Zoe.
Baxter began his basic training, and was taught all the things that
you would teach a pet dog. He attended puppy classes at the local
vets, usually leading the other puppies into mischief! Every day, as
part of his training Kym would take him out and about to see sights
and experience sounds that he would encounter everyday as a working
Support Dog.
In February of this year, Baxter qualified as Kyms third assistance
dog. It is a unique situation, with all three dogs living in bliss
together, almost like the three musketeers!
Support Dogs has been in partnership with Kym for 12 years and has
continued to support Kym and Baxter with her ever changing needs. As
well as undertaking the same everyday tasks as his predecessors Zoe
and Zeta, Baxter also helps Kym with dressing and undressing.
Rita Howson, Support Dogs Head of Training comments: “The training
of a Disability Assistance Dog is a very concentrated and specialist
process. It is not always possible for other dogs to live in the
same household as a working dog. However wherever possible we try to
work around this, as we understand the special and precious bond
that is created within partnerships over their years together.
Transferring that bond can be heartbreaking for both owner and
previous dog.”
“I’m so pleased and proud we have been able to achieve this with Kym.
She can still have the companionship from both of her previous
Assistance Dogs and play a major role in their care and upbringing.
We have a few second generation dogs still living with their
predecessors, but Kym, Baxter and the two girls are a first for our
organisation, to have three generations of Support Dogs all living
happily side by side!”
Kym concludes: “All three of my dogs have given me such independence
and helped to slow the deterioration of my condition that I could
not put into words what they mean to me. Baxter fits in so well with
my girls, at the end of the day, when his work is done he curls up
with his big sister Zoe and dreams of chasing his tennis ball.”
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Local
runner supports locally based charity |
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Support Dogs, is benefiting from a Marathon effort!
Melanie Burbeary of Hillsborough is one of the charity’s biggest
supporters and took to the streets of Sheffield for the local
marathon, in a bid to raise vital funds for the charity.
Melanie is a senior laboratory assistant for the National Blood
Service and ran the exhausting 13.1miles in 1 hour 42 minutes, she
said: “Once I had decided to run the marathon I thought about
raising the money for Support Dogs. I know of the charity through
its work with seizure alert dogs as well as a good friend and
neighbour Tracey Moore who is a trainer.
“I have been a volunteer for Tracey in the past taking in an
assistance dog and feel that these dogs are amazing. I am hoping to
be a volunteer for Support Dogs and help to socialise one of their
dogs to enable it to continue with the extensive training Tracey
does to provide assistance to people who have epileptic seizures or
children with autism.”
Angela Gregory, Support Dogs Marketing and Fundraising Officer,
said: “Support Dogs relies totally on donations, and it’s thanks to
people like Melanie who push themselves for the sake of others that
our important work carries on.”
Melanie raised a fantastic £230 through donations solely from
friends, family and colleagues. “I hope the money I have raised will
help the charity to continue its fantastic work and provide the much
needed funds to continuing training the dogs.”
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Support
Dogs goes for Gold with Sheffield Eagles |
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Support Dogs has linked up with Sheffield Eagles Rugby League team
to offer a new and exciting way to rais e
vital funds at the same time as offering its supporters the chance
of winning thousands of pounds in cash.
Support Dogs joined the Club’s Goldrush Lottery last year and after
just 7 months the scheme has over 50 members and has already raised
£1,000. Following on from this success Sheffield Eagles is looking
for more charity partners that can benefit from this fun way to
raise funds.
Sheffield Eagles player Greg Hurst presented a cheque for the first
£1,000 to Wynn Butler and her Disability Assistance Dog, Susie, at
half time during their game against Leigh Centurions on Sunday 13
April 2008.
Ray Green, Sheffield Eagles Lottery Manager, explained: “The
Goldrush Lottery is an excellent way for charities to raise vital
funds and generate a regular income stream.
“The relationship with Support Dogs is a true partnership. As well
as fundraising we are able to invite groups of guests to games and
offer player appearances for presentations or media events.
“The relationship is also really good for the Club because all
revenue generated goes straight to our grassroots Youth Development
scheme, which allows us to invest more in introducing young people
to the sport of Rugby League.”
To join the Support Dogs and Sheffield Eagles Goldrush all you have
to do is visit the Support Dogs website www.support-dogs.org.uk and
download an entry form and, for a contribution of just £1 per week,
you could win a daily prize of £100, a weekly prize of up to £1,000
and a fantastic twice-yearly jackpot of £5,000.
Angela Gregory, Support Dogs Marketing and Fundraising Officer,
added: “The partnership with Sheffield Eagles is fantastic!
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for charities to obtain
national lottery grants so for an organisation like Support Dogs
that also receives no government funding, but relies totally on
donations, it is really important that we have ways to generate
regular income to support our on-going work.”
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Support
Dogs links with Ebay for charity fundraising |
 You can
now raise money for Support Dogs by selling your unwanted goods on
Ebay through their charity partner MissionFish.
It's easy to donate some or all of the proceeds from your eBay sale
to us. Just list your items with eBay for Charity - the easiest way
to sell verified charity items on eBay.
You can find out more and start
selling today by visiting:
http://www.missionfish.org.uk/index.html
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Support
Dogs joins Facebook |
Support Dogs has now joined the social network phenomenon Facebook.
Facebook is a social utility that
connects people with friends and others who work, study and live
around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an
unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more
about the people they meet.
It's yet another new way to spread
the word about the life transforming work of the charity and to keep
in touch with all the latest news and developments at Support Dogs.
You can find us at:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11598984863&ref=mf
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Sheffield Charity in search for new Trustees |
Support Dogs is looking for new Trustees
following the unprecedented success of the launch of its Autism
Assistance Dogs Programme.
The charity currently has five trustees, but following the success
of the launch needs to add to this number to ensure that it
continues to achieve its objectives over the next few years.
Support Dogs’ Marketing and Fundraising Officer, Angela Gregory,
said: “We need people who can help direct the charity towards
achieving its mission and ensure the organisation is effectively
managed.
“We’re looking for people who are able to commit time, have
strategic vision, independent judgement, and a willingness to speak
their minds!”
Ideally new trustees will have skills in the following areas:
Human Resources
Financial/investment management
Governance, particularly in the not-for-profit sector
Senior management
Marketing and PR
Angela added: “We are particularly keen to achieve a more diverse
Board of Trustees and we welcome applications from all sections of
the community.
“So if you want to work with a charity that truly transforms
people’s lives then please get in touch. These are voluntary, unpaid
positions but it really is a labour of love working with some
amazing people and dogs!”
If you are interested in becoming a Trustee at Support Dogs and feel
you may have relevant experience, please send your CV to Angela
Gregory, Marketing & Fundraising Officer, Support Dogs, 21 Jessops
Riverside, Brightside Lane, Sheffield, S9 2RX or email
angela@support-dogs.org.uk. |
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Support Dogs and
Colbear in charity Partnership |
 Support
Dogs has appointed Colbear Public Relations to help raise awareness
of its ground breaking Autism Assistance Dog Programme.
The charity announced the launch of the unique scheme at the
beginning of March, with a rallying call to help raise the £1
million pounds of funding required to ensure that it is a success
over the next four years. Since the launch, Support Dogs has
received an overwhelming response with hundreds of calls from people
asking for more information about how they can apply for an Autism
Assistance Dog.
Angela Gregory, Support Dogs’ Marketing and Fundraising Officer,
said: “The success of the launch was overwhelming. We’ve had a
fantastic response from the media so hopefully we should see more of
the vital funds we need starting to come in soon!"
“I am delighted to be working with the PR team at Colbear. We talked
to a number of agencies before deciding on our partner for this
project, but their passion and commitment and obvious belief in the
Autism Assistance Dogs programme was what helped us to make the
final decision.
“They are also one of the most experienced and professional agencies
in Yorkshire and I believe they are the ideal partner to help us
take this forward and achieve our very ambitious £1 million target.”
The £1 million will fund the first four
years of the project and during that time it will allow Support Dogs
to provide a truly inclusive national service with no regional
restrictions – the only one of its kind in mainland UK.
By the end of the first four years the charity hopes to have trained
68 dogs, helped an estimated 300 people and have four fully
qualified, full time, Autism Assistance Dog trainers.
Liz Dimitrijevic, PR Director at Colbear, added:” It’s fantastic to
be working with Support Dogs. Autism Assistance Dogs can literally
change the lives of children with Autism and their families, so it
is a real labour of love for me to be working on such a worthwhile
programme and to be helping raise awareness of the vital work that
Support Dogs are doing.”
Liz (pictured right) meets Wyn Butler and her Support Dog Susie at
the charity's National Training Centre.
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Support Dogs launches new Autism Assistance Dog
programme |
 Sheffield
based Support Dogs, one of the UK’s leading charities dedicated to
training assistance dogs, has today launched a £1 million appeal to
help it to introduce a unique national initiative to provide dogs
specially trained to help children with Autism.This programme is
the first of its kind in mainland UK and over the next four years,
if it reaches its £1 million target, the charity will be able to
help hundreds of people affected by Autism.
Support Dogs has already trained the UK’s first Autism Assistance
Dog with the support of Irish Guide Dogs, which has run a successful
programme in Ireland for over three years. Lacey (a yellow Labrador)
has been partnered with Paula Craik and her 5 year old son Joe (who
live in Dundee) and in the last year has made a tremendous
difference to their lives. Following on from this success, the
charity now plans to make this life changing initiative available to
families across the UK.
It is estimated that over 500,000 people in the UK are affected
by Autism, a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way
a person communicates and relates to the people around them. Over
72,000 of these are children between the ages of three and 10 years
old who could benefit from a specially trained Autism Assistance
Dog.
Angela Gregory, Support Dogs’ Marketing and Fundraising Officer,
says:” We are very excited to be able to announce the launch of the
first national Autism Assistance Dogs initiative in the UK.
“We have set ourselves an extremely ambitious target of £1
million, to fund the first four years of the programme, but
achieving this will allow us to provide a truly inclusive national
service with no regional restrictions, which will see us training 40
dogs every year by 2012.
“By the end of the first four years we will have trained 68 dogs,
helped an estimated 300 people and have four fully qualified full
time Autism Assistance Dog trainers.”
Autism Assistance Dogs make a real and very positive difference
to the lives of children with Autism and their families and the work
by Irish Guide Dogs has already identified a number of direct
benefits:
- Improved safety levels for children with autism through
control of the child by commanding the dog which acts as an
anchor.
- Improved behaviour and socialisation skills through acting as
a constant companion and forming a unique bond.
- Creates freedom for the child and family to go out from the
home, allowing full public access – shops, restaurants, hotels and
schools.
- Expands the child’s capabilities to experience more from life.
- Calms the child thereby increasing attention span and
improving aptitude for learning.
- Reduces stress for all family members.
- Teaches the child responsibilities.
- Positive changes in behaviour, lower aggression level and
comfort when upset.
Angela adds: “We are very grateful for the support that Irish
Guide Dogs has given us. Their willingness to share their expertise
has been absolutely fantastic and we hope to work with them even
more closely in the future.”
Support Dogs’ is also the only charity in the UK to train Seizure
Alert Dogs and it is the experience, gained through training these
very specialised partnerships, that is invaluable to the training of
Autism Assistance Dogs.
Rita Howson, Support Dogs’ Head of Training, explains: “Every
partnership between a Seizure Alert Dog and its owner is unique. The
dogs have to be trained to recognised very individual signs that
their owner is about to have a seizure, because no two cases of
epilepsy are the same. This is also true for Autism so the dog has
to be trained to form a very close and intuitive bond with the
child.
“In our opinion this experience puts Support Dogs in a unique
position to move into the field of Autism Assistance Dogs.
The Autism Assistance Dogs programme is totally free of charge to
all applicants however Support Dogs receives no government funding
and relies on donations and bequests to fund its life transforming
work.
Support Dogs will be at Crufts at the NEC, Birmingham 6th
– 9th March 2008 (Hall 2 Stand 62) for enquiries and to
accept donations to the Autism Assistance Appeal.
The Autism Assistance Dogs enquiry line will be available from
Monday 10th March 2008 on 0114 2617800.
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Support Dogs unveil new uniforms at Crufts |
 Support
Dogs are now easier to identify thanks to a generous donation of new
jackets by the Company of Animals.After reports of unregistered
dogs posing as assistance dogs it is more important than ever that
Support Dogs are clearly recognised. Pet dogs may not be
sufficiently socialised to accompany their owner in certain
situations and badly behaved impostors could end up giving
assistance dog charities a bad name.
With this in mind Support Dogs has changed its corporate look and
the dogs have been given a distinctive and very smart new uniform.
The super new jackets, paid for by Company of Animals, come from
Canada and are a vibrant blue colour with embroidered logos. The
charity found with its previous jackets that the adhesive logos did
not wash very well and soon peeled off. By using embroidered logos
and detailing, the dogs will have permanent and prominent branding.
The jackets are more robust than those used previously and are
perfect for these busy working dogs, making them easily identified
when out and about with their owners.
Support Dog Baxter and his owner Kym Stretton will be joining Dr
Roger Mugford and his team at Company of Animals to celebrate the
partnership at Crufts. Baxter will be modelling his new jacket on
Friday 7th March, at 11am on the Company of Animals’ stand (Hall 2,
Stand 112).
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Support Dog Owner takes
discrimination message to Downing Street |
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Epilepsy sufferer Toni Brown-Griffin with Seizure Alert Dog Ajay joined other assistance dog owners at Downing Street
this week campaigning
against the discrimination they face from service providers; despite the
Disability Discrimination Act.
Guide Dogs, Canine Partners, Dogs for the Disabled, Hearing Dogs and Support
Dogs are working together as Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), promoting rights of
access to restaurants, shops and other services for assistance dog users.
2008 is Year of the Assistance Dog, and Support Dog owner Toni met Phil Hope
MP, Minister for the Third Sector, to give a personal account of the problems
she faces locally when attempting to travel by taxis, or use services and
amenities.
Joining Toni in the delegation were:
Dogs for the Disabled client Jack Pegram (with his assistance dog, Berry),
from Hertfordshire; Profoundly deaf Tracy Lewis (with hearing dog, Budgie) from
Westbury, Wiltshire; Visually impaired Desi Veeran, from Hackney, London – representing
Guide Dogs for the Blind with Zally; Claire Graham (and Canine Partner
dog, Ulli), from Eastbourne.
During the visit, Phil Hope MP was presented with Dog Star Awards on behalf
of Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, in recognition of the accessibility
for guide and assistance dog users.
In coming months, assistance dog users will nominate retailers, leisure
facilities, public premises, and transport operators for similar Dog Star
awards, giving service providers an incentive to make their premises assistance
dog friendly.
Dog Star Awards will be symbols of excellence, given in recognition that
premises and services meet the needs of all assistance dog users. For example,
provision of Braille menus for blind and partially sighted people, induction
loops for customers with hearing impairment, wheelchair access, and of course -
water bowls for the assistance dogs!
Alan Brooks, Chairman of ADUK, explains: "Although there are many examples of
good practice, assistance dog users continue to encounter problems accessing a
variety of environments from shops, hotels, pubs, and restaurants, to public
transport and high street pedestrian areas.
"This discrimination is both unacceptable and against the law, so by
highlighting good practice, we hope it will become the norm, and that in future,
our vision of doors always being open to all assistance dog users will become
reality."
Phil Hope MP said: "I'm very pleased to accept the Assistance Dogs UK award
on behalf on the Cabinet Office and Number Ten Downing Street. The Government
wants to achieve full equality for disabled people by 2025 but to do this we
need to hear the views of people who are affected. I thank Assistance Dogs UK
for giving voice to the people they represent and will certainly discuss what I
have learned today with ministerial colleagues."
For further information, and links to ADUK member charity websites – where
Dog Star nominations can be made – log on to www.assistancedogs.org.uk.
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Support
Dogs currently has a number of voluntary and paid, part-time and full-time
job vacancies at the charity. Further information and application forms are
available for the following positions: