(Updated 22/6/01)

Pets As Therapy / Pro Dogs

WHAT A great and very busy time we had at Crufts. There were two PAT Parades every day in the Good citizen’s Ring, fund raisers and their PATDogs on several stands as well as our own.

Our sincere thanks go to Ralston Purina, Gilbertson & Page, Shaw’s Pet Products, GLCC Ltd, National Dog Warden Association Stand, Pet Planet and several others for allowing us to collect on their stands. On the first day we were delighted to welcome Pam St Clement to sign autographs and have publicity photographs taken with the 14,000th PAT Dog Dino, who played Bruno in London’s Burning. Roy Barraclough kindly joined us on the Saturday and launched our new initiative ‘Friends of Pets As Therapy’ on the Shaw’s Pet Product stand.

The Sunday saw a remarkable PAT parade where we welcomed Susan George into the ring to meet the PAT dogs. Susan was an absolute delight - taking the microphone from the compere and proceeding to interview each PAT dog owner in turn. On the final day, Susan’s husband, the lovely actor Simon McCorkindale, joined the ladies on the Pets As Therapy stand to have photographs taken. We are delighted that all these personalities have agreed to become ‘Friends of Pets As Therapy’. Thank you to Gladys Hutcheson and Tony Robinson who organised the PAT Parades on all four days and to all our wonderful volunteers who worked so hard for Pets As Therapy.

Left: Mary Evans and Pyrenean PATDog Judy meeting children who were welcomed into the ring to meet the PAT Dogs after the parade at Crufts.

There were several successes in the show rings. Ruth Drummond’s Basenji Djoser Forest Dancer (PAT Dog Dancer) won Post Grad Bitch in Basenjis. Merle Kenny’s Leonberger, Leoland Alderamin of Maspelheim (PAT Dog Wallace) took Post Grad Dog and Best Dog. Doreen Wright’s Pharaoh Hound Anharben Under Pressure (PAT Dog Chelsea) took Limit Bitch. Jo Davidson-Postern’s Italian Spinone Zeke took a first and Angus and Jane Morton Shaw were delighted when their three-year-old Border Terrier Saffy won her 1st CC out of Limit bitch and went on to take BOB. Many congratulations to the owners of these winning PAT Dogs, all of whom visit regularly in hospitals, hospices or residential homes, bringing happiness to so any people as well as being shown regularly.

Well supported

Now that shows are getting back to normal, several results are in from the PRO Dogs Stakes classes. At Lichfield & Dist DTS the class was split. Part 1 judged by Kathy Ingham resulted in a win for Mr and Mrs Clowes’ Cumnock Shannon BC. Part 2 was judged by Sandy Wadhams and the winner was again owned by Mr and Mrs Clowes, Rowanbrooks Lad WS.

At Buckinghamshire CS the PRO Dogs stakes was won by Mrs Munn’s Ch Showmeadow FeeBee Friday SCWT and at Chelmsford & Dist CS Mr & Mrs A W Wilson’s Bonnygate Gunns a Blazing JW Pointer.

The Pets As Therapy ‘team’ at Crufts with Roy Barraclough and PATDog Toby.
L to R - Kate Swinhoe, Brian Owen, Roy Barraclough, Maureen Hennis, Lena Hanen.

The classes at Southern Counties CA were also well supported and judged by Bob Gregory. On the 1st day the winner was Mr and Mrs H G Jones Irish Setter Goldings Manxman. The winner on day 2 was Mrs A Eardley’s Borzoi, Ricanoca Pickettywych and day 3 Mrs A Allan’s OES Int & UK Ch Allmark Ralph Lauren.

Pets As Therapy are delighted that GMTV has chosen our charity to be one of the five to benefit from this years ‘Get Up & Give Appeal’, which is to be televised from July 16 - 20 on GMTV each morning from 7am - 9.25am. Plans are now well underway and four Pets As Therapy films have been made of ‘special’ case studies to highlight the work undertaken by Pets As Therapy. The five chosen charities this year are - DeafBlind UK, Association of Children’s Hospices, CLAPA (Cleft Lip & Palete Association), Haemophilia Society and Pets As Therapy, all of whom benefit equally, not only from the fund raising but also from the high profile publicity. Several huge events are to take place throughout the week. You can have breakfast and take part in other - on board - activities on HMS Warrior in Portsmouth, followed by further activities at Southsea Castle Field. For further details contact Kate Swinhoe on 01873 851313.

A Week Long Party at The Metro Centre in Gateshead is being organised featuring Brass Bands, Dance displays, choirs, fashion shows, steel bands etc. and of course PAT dogs. If you would like to help at this event, or for further details contact myself on - 01207 236040.

Anyone can organise a fundraising event. Do you know a school, factory, or an individual who would like to get involved? Perhaps you could organise a ‘No Uniform at School’ Day, a fancy dress at work or a ‘Mufti’ day, a raffle/tombola or a loose change collection. For many other ideas on how you can support the five great charities in this years GMTV’s Get Up & Give Appeal obtain a pack by telephoning 0900 2400600.

If you would like to register your dog as a PAT Dog please send a sae to Pets As Therapy, 6 New Road, Ditton, Kent ME20 6AD. If you have any news, view or comments please contact me at Pets As Therapy (Northern), PO Box 11, Stanley, Co Durham or telephone 01207 236040.

Maureen Hennis