International Fund for Animal Welfare
A 12-year-old border collie called Midge, from Leicestershire, has received a top award at the House of Lords from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) www.ifaw.org for her work for the Pets As Therapy charity.
PAT dog Midge, who carries out her role with the help of owner Joan Cattell, 62, of Canvey Close, Wigston, won the ‘Animal of the Year Award’ in IFAW’s ‘Animal Action Awards 2007’. Midge was chosen as the ambassador for the charity ‘Pets As Therapy’ to receive the award on behalf of all the animals and owners who volunteer with them.
The awards are part of IFAW’s Animal Action Week campaign, which is supported by Nat Geo Wild TV and is run in 14 countries around the world. This year nine awards were presented in the UK.
The prestigious awards ceremony was held on October 16 in the Cholmondley Room and riverside terrace at the House of Lords and hosted by Baroness Gale. The awards were announced by TV wildlife presenter Shauna Lowry and also present was IFAW Patron actress and model Lisa B.
Founded in 1983, Pets As Therapy (PAT), is a national charity providing therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues by volunteers with their registered PAT dogs and cats. Midge has been a PAT dog since 1998 and regularly visits day care centres and accompanies Joan to fund raising events. Midge has taken part in parades of PAT dogs and also attends talks given about the work of Pets As Therapy. Midge was selected by the charity as an ambassador to represent all the great work of these animals and their owners.
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