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


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

[email protected]

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.


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


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.


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


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

“

“

“

“


“ “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!


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


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]



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


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).

""

""

P&P details - 1 pk – £1.502 pks - £3.00 - 3 pks or more £3.50

£3.99 per pack


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

new specialist dog ad:Layout 1 22/11/2010 10:01 Page 1

Documents

Aura Magazine August 2011