THOSE OF you who watched GMTV's Get Up & Give Appeal earlier this year will, I am sure, remember the story of Emma Doree, the little girl who suffers from Systemic Juvenile Arthritis and who has to have regular injections to keep her condition under control.

Emma is however phobic about needles and her fear was affecting the lives of her whole family, until Emma was introduced to PAT dog Katie, a Toy Poodle owned by Beryl Jordan. The change that Katie made to the lives of Emma and her family was amazing. Members of the Northumbria Poodle Club saw the film on GMTV and at their Open Show, which was held in Stockton on 7th October they welcomed Emma and her sister Laura as special guests.

Emma's mother Sally writes - "During the show, Emma and Laura met many Poodles and marvelled at the variety of not only colour, but also the size of the dogs! They were both presented with medals, badges and rosettes to mark the occasion by Dorothy Dixon, Co-ordinator for Northumbria Poodle Rescue, and Hon. Sec. Ron McAuley also presented Emma with a framed portrait of a Toy Poodle. The show proved to be very successful, as well as highlighting the importance and value of PAT dogs. We all thoroughly enjoyed the show".

Dorothy Dixon and Ron McAuley of the Northumbria Poodle Club welcome Emma Doree and
her sister Laura who holds the Poodle Rudi (Kasado Dreamsunite Jauncy) owned by Judy Hannar

Dates for your diary - a special event is to take place on sunday 25th November aboard s.s.Great Britain where Kate Swinhoe has organised a Victorian Christmas Extravaganza with a huge variety of entertainment, including Christmas Music, Hurdy Gurdy man, Lace making demonstration etc. There will be many items for sale, Victorian style wooden toys, Victorian sweets, Hand made lace, Lavender bags, Pot Pourri and there will be a Victorian flower seller. The event is from 4 p.m.-7.30 p.m. and the price includes a tour of the ship. Tickets can be obtained from Kate on 01873 851313, prices adults £5, seniors £4 and children £3.

A Christmas party and celebration meal has been organised for Saturday 8th December at the Loch Ness House Hotel, Inverness. Organiser Kate Jack welcomes all members and friends of Pets As Therapy. Tickets are £16 each with a £5 deposit required. For further details contact Kate on 01337 841079.

Delighted

The Christmas celebration and dinner in the North East of England is to be held on Thursday 13th December at the Harperley Hotel, near Stanley, Co Durham. Tickets are £15.95 with a £3 deposit required. The organiser Gillian Harrison would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to attend. Contact Gillian on 0191 373 9824.

Over the years dozens of people have given talks to different clubs, groups and organisations on the subject of Pets As Therapy. However, until now there was no national data base of Pets As Therapy speakers. The task of organising such a list and co-ordinating requests that come in from organisations throughout the country for people to give talks, has been undertaken by Gill Pearson. Gill would like to hear from both people who would like to speak on behalf of pets As Therapy - Speakers notes are available from Gill - and also from any club or society who would like a speaker from Pets As Therapy to give a talk. Gill Pearson can be contacted on 01388 517797.

If you would like to register your dog (or cat) as a PAT dog/cat please send a sae to Pets As Therapy, 6 New Road, Ditton, Kent, ME20 6AD. If you have any news, views or comments please contact me at Pets As Therapy (Northern), PO Box 11, Stanley, Co Durham DH9 7YZ or telephone 01207 236040.

Maureen Hennis