Canine Partners Issues Statement on Allen Parton Split
The following is a statement provided to us by Canine Partners in relation to the recent coverage of the charity’s split with one of its most well known faces, Allen Parton.
By now, you will perhaps be aware, or have seen, articles in the press relating to the position of Canine Partners with regard to the training of Allen Parton’s own puppy EJ. The articles followed a letter written to Allen by the Chairman on behalf of the Council. A copy of this letter is attached to give a full understanding of the Charity’s position.
The nub of the matter is Allen’s strongly stated intention to purchase and train EJ himself. There have been a few such cases in the past which prompted the Council to review their policy. As a result, a number of years ago, the Council, of which Allen was a member, reaffirmed the then existing policy not to register or jacket any dog trained by the owner or a third party. Since then, the only dogs belonging to applicants themselves (“owned dogs”) that have been jacketed by Canine Partners are those which have undergone the Charity’s full Advanced Training programme, during which they are trained by the Charity’s own trainers, and the applicants themselves have attended the normal 2-week Training Course. Furthermore, the Charity has never trained an “owned dog” for anyone who has been partnered with a Canine Partner dog previously but has decided to buy and train their own puppy “second time around”. Allen’s case was carefully considered and it was decided that, in order to avoid setting a precedent, no exceptions could be made.
As things stand now, as far as the Charity is concerned, the offer to provide advice and for Allen and EJ to attend puppy classes is still open.
Any matters to do with your puppy, please contact Sandra Parton as usual and partnership matters Wendy Lawrence.
Please accept our apologies for any difficulties you may encounter over this unfortunate business.
Highly Recommended: What dog owner wouldn’t want a piece of THIS action? – Get FREE dog food!
Related posts:
Loading ...
If he agreed as a committee member that this would not happen, what part of ‘he was involved in the policy making decision’ does he not get?
CP are not being out of order on this.
Reply
This is such a sorry state of affairs when the chief Exec of the national charity Canine Partners comments on a blog in this manner. My wife Sandra works for Canine Partners as the puppy operations manager. I don’t think I could ever begin to imagine how embarrassed and bullied she must feel to see her CEO presenting as nothing more than a “cyber space” gossiping washer women. I consider it in appropriate behavior to involve myself in this manner other than to state this.
Endal my faithful companion was almost put to sleep 12 weeks ago, I have though chosen to opt for a course of pain management and other treatments for him, which is resulting in a general improvement in his condition. Each day we spend together now is very important to me and this sort of distraction really is of no significance at this moment in time
Allen Parton
Reply
Then why go to the press yourself then Allen?
Did you not think of the consequences for your wife before you rushed to the press yet again? It is you who have placed her in an impossible position.
Mind your business, look after Endal, enjoy your time with him and stop this media circus, you seem hell bent on destroying the very organisation that gave you Endal, (and in fact still owns him to this day), and rehabilitated you to the point where you believe you can run your own charity training dogs for others.
Reply
For goodness sake Allen can’t you see this is all your own doing!!! You did the original press release making derogatory comments about Canine Partners – if you don’t like the repercussions it’s your problem! Now I’m cross and I’m sure I’m not alone! Grow up! Behave! Any embarrassement for your wife is caused by you and she has my sympathy!
Canine Partners are being very generous and you should appreciate that.
Good luck Endal I wish you well.
Reply
Dear Editor
It occurs to me that Sincere, Doobie and Gnasher are all one and the same person with an axe to grind – can you confirm this?
Reply
Hi Magda
Sorry to disappoint you but you are wrong.
Like lots of other people who are aware of the Allen and Endal partnership, why should Mr Parton change the criteria for something he voted for that would have no exceptions?
I have no ax to grind with Mr Parton, he is an inspiration to others, but he surely must have to stick to his guns?
Reply
Hi Magda, yep, we are different people!
The nub of this is that if organisations give jackets to any pup simply becasue the owner wants one, it rather devalues all the hours of professional training that each and every other assistance dog has in this country.
Fancy paying full price for an airline ticket and have someone with their pet dog next to you? On one hand that pup may be well trained, on the other hand it could be unhealthy, have a poor temperament, bad manners, toilet inappropriately and so on.
There are standards for these dogs and buying your own simply because you want to when you have previously voted that the organisation should only accredit dogs they have bred, puppy walked and trained in house is like sticking two fingers up at the professionalism of all those dedicated people, one of whom is his wife!
Reply
Doobie
Exactly, no ax grinding at all but the facts of the matter at hand are the problem.
As I wrote above, do not have any issue whatsoever with Mr Parton, like you write though it is sticking two fingers up at all the dedicated people working with asssitance dogs if you can simply change the way things are done for your own benefit.
Thought it was only the government that did massive U turns?
Reply
Just to join the group you put me in Magda.
I too am a seperate person! A partner actually who, along with many other patnerships know the man well and have witnessed his tantrums first hand when he can’t have his own way.
Clever touch now though drawing attention from his shamefull behavior. I’m seeing in print and on tv his wifes story from her point of view regarding his accident in the Gulf and his recovery from that. Also how his family have helped so much with that.
sincerely!
Reply
I feel compelled to contribute to this discussion after much thought and deliberation. This issue is not about individuals and personalities its about the key, core principals and values of Canine Partners and their practice. If CP are to maintain the very high quality of their assistance dogs and keep equality at the centre of their practice then the needs of one individual (who ever that is) should not drive the organisations policies. As is says on their website “Canine Partners is a progressive charity that aims to transform the lives of people with disabilities, enabling them to live more independently by partnering them with highly trained assistance dogs.” The staff at CP are highly skilled and experienced, they do everything in their power to support individuals and their specific needs but for this to remain possible there must be a solid framework of policy and practice to work within. It is absolutely essential that the developemnt of the dogs’ skills and competence remains at the centre of CP’s work.
It is vital that the quality standards for training the dogs, assessing potential partners, matching partnerships and the final training for the partnerships are maintained and built upon. Any attempt to ‘buck’ this system will only serve to undermine these standards and put the integrity of CP into question. This would be a traversty as I know from first hand experience how big a difference CP has made to my wife, myself and our family and friends on so many levels. CP is a growing organisation and I look forward to seeing it become even bigger and even better at what is does so well. This will allow as many people as possible to benefit from their expertise and excellence in providing assistance dogs. Stick to your core principals and values CP staff and you won’t go wrong – we all need to remember what a fantastic job CP have done for many and not do anything to jeopardise this for all the future partners. I truly hope this discussion can be drawn to a close soon so that everyone can turn their energies back to what its all about which is “to assist people with disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and a better quality of life”
Reply
Can anyone tell me why the CEO of this charity can circumnavigate these stringent ‘quality standards’ and though not apparently disabled himself have a jacket wearing canine partner with him at social and official functions?
Doesn’t this “undermine these standards and put the integrity of CP into question”
Reply
Magda
No idea as a person in the street, maybe it is for publicity and fundraising reasons.
What CP dog is it, one in training or a retired one?
Reply
Magda
Once again you seem to have tried to make this about personalities rather than the real issue of the principles in question. Please stop deflecting the discussion, in my view this is not helping Canine Partners in any way. I look forward to someone in the know clarifying the facts about which dogs are jacketed and why. I am sure there are a variety of arrangements with dogs working as demos or as representatives in the public domain all striving to raise the profile of Canine Partners in a positive way.
Reply
Well you know – I rather think this issue is all about personalities and not many principles.
I have read the most appalling posts on this website telling Allen Parton to “grow up” and “behave”. He has been accused of having “tantrums when he can’t get his own way”, of ingratitude, arrogance and betrayal. What on earth has this man done to be treated with such disrespect? Anyone who keeps an eye on the media in general cannot fail to be aware of Allen Parton and Endal. His photo was all over the country last year on posters for the British Legion Poppy Appeal. Surely this duo has raised thousands of pounds for charity.
So what is going on? He is told that he can’t have a jacket because CP are “…governed by the accreditation rules of Assistance Dogs (UK) and Assistance Dogs International, which lay down what dogs must do to qualify – and then we also have to abide by national Health & Safety rules on hygiene and health. Boring old rules?”(TK)
So fair enough – all dogs must undergo the necessary training and no pet dogs to wear a CP jacket. Well A Puppy Parent assures us that EJ has attended the training and has excelled in his education and as for no pet dogs in jackets I draw your attention to the following post on http://www.labradoodle.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1417:
*******************************
Hi Everyone,
My name is Terry Knott and I am the proud owner of GAIA, a honey blond bitch, bred by Annette Courtney in Bedford – take a bow Annette.
Gaia was one of 14 blond puppies and has been trained, with her sister YARRA, by Canine Partners, as assistance dogs.
for those who do not know, we train dogs for 2 years and the dogs have to learn 103 different commands, to help people in wheelchairs.
YARRA has been placed with a human partner and GAIA stays with me, to travel all over the ecountry to deliver talks and presentations about the work of the Charity. She is a brilliant ambassador and makes friends wherever she goes. It is fun to watch peoples’ mouthes fall open, when she operates the lift, or a washing machine.
I am now looking to breed her, at 2 years and 3 months and am looking for a suitable Labradoodle stud dog, preferably also blond and intend to donate half the puppies to the Charity. Any ideas, please email me or call my mobile: 07767 668800
Stud needed 28 Feb or failing that end of August.
Terry
****************************
Now as we are told on this site CP must follow a code of practice – but somehow I just can’t find the answers to the following questions:
is Terry’s dog a fully trained canine partner entitling her to wear a CP jacket (which many thousands will have seen her do – me included!) and gain access into certain venues that pet dogs are banned from?
is Terry suffering from a “severe disability” (CP website) to qualify for an assistance dog? (I sincerely apologise to Terry if he has a “severe disability”).
if Terry is not severely disabled why has he got a canine partner?
why does an able bodied person give demos of his dogs abilities – surely it would be preferable for the partners themselves to do this?
is Terry using his position as CEO to blag a free mating for his dog in order to donate half of the litter to charity and why is the Chairman of CP allowing him to do so?
what does he intend to do with the other half of the litter? Gaia was one of fourteen puppies and could have a large litter herself!
who owns Gaia and who presented her with the CP jacket?
is this whole argument a case of ‘do as I say and not as I do and if you don’t – you’re out’?
I would respectfully suggest before anyone else decides to have a pop at Allen Parton they wait to find out the answers to these questions otherwise these posts read like blatant bullying by misinformed people of a disabled person who is obviously of enormous interest to the media because of the success he has made of his life in the face of great adversity and I would imagine that CP have benefitted from his success to the tune of thousands and consequently all canine partners, their dogs and their families would have benefitted too.
Reply
Hi Magda, whilst I agree you make some very interesting points, drawing the topic away from Mr Parton doesn’t strengthen his position that CP should jacket EJ. Quite the contrary.
All these helping dogs do wonderful jobs but the public does need certain assurances that they are being well looked after, have been well trained and are healthy. If a dog is not trained by an organisation, we don’t have that assusarnce do we?
There is ample evidence in the public domain that Mr Parton has taken his retired dog on “public appearances” and taken his very young puppy to photoshoots and has been seen out and about in a CP jacket. That simply cannot be right or ethical, can it?
Reply
Dear Doobie
having read up on Endal’s history it is very obvious that apart from being just an assistance dog he had many other important roles and still does. When a working dog retires from harness all that happens is it stops wearing the jacket or have I got that wrong or does it have to be locked away for ever in a dark place? I have not seen anywhere a statement that Endal has retired from his other roles, in fact, in a recent issue of Dogs Today magazine it was announced he would be making guest appearances in the future. Holding the title of Dog of the Millennium makes him a very worthy guest at many doggie based events and long may he attend them.
There really is a massive amount of confusion about little EJ too. He was recently used by Canine Partners to promote Puppy parenting on the BBC Radio and television. At the request of the charity he was filmed in a CP puppy jacket both at the National training centre and then at the Parton’s home. The puppy jackets do not give any legal rights of access or such like that the fully trained dog has when partnered with a disabled person. The puppy jacket is merely a very clear sign of a puppy in training. Mr Parton could have a jacket made up for little EJ which says puppy in training and be afforded the same access as any puppy be it guide, hearing or a dog for the disabled.
At the moment, it is fact, EJ is having exactly the same level of training as any of the other puppies in his class/group.
(Allen lives with Sandra, his wife, who runs the puppy department at Canine Partners so training is on a 24 hour basis). He is being wormed and flea treated, weight records are being kept and he is fully vaccinated the same as any of the puppies (with full records kept).
On the TV only the other evening we were very very impressed to see EJ live carrying out quite complicated tasks with ease, tasks that a much older dog would struggle with. What happens at the end of his puppy training is not for me or anyone else other than Canine Partners and Mr Parton to resolve. I wish them every opportunity to resolve the current misunderstanding.
At the moment EJ is constantly being assessed for temperament and behavior by attending weekly puppy classes and events which is very important in getting a dog eventually registered as an assistance dog.
No organisation owns the title “assistance dog” and by ADI/AD(UK) own admission they have set the standards required of an assistance dog. Therefore if a dog is proven to meet those standards and maintains them:- by law it an assistance dog.
just some views, I’m not taking sides, just wanting a balanced debate without being nasty.
Reply
What a huge pity that Canine Partners cannot see what Allen and Endal – by any standards a unique partnership -have achieved for the charity.
Without them, it’s doubtful that anyone, let alone the national media,would have heard about Canine Partners. It’s because of who they are as man and dog and how they are together that the name of Canine Partners is known throughout the UK and, indeed, the world. Wherever he has been and whatever media circus he has been the focus of, Allen has always made sure that Endal was wearing his distinctive purple coat. Allen has never pretended to be anything other than a representative of Canine Partners – the organisation that gave him his life-changing dog. So, why treat this man, this partnership that has done so much, with such short-sighted distain?
Could it be that someone within the organisation is jealous of the column inches this pair have commanded over the years? Could it be that this green-eyed person is afraid that Allen will do it all over again with EJ and they just can’t bear it?
If there is any truth in this theory then shame on the person or persons who seem to be using their position to bash Allen when all he has ever done for the charity is promote it and do so positively and with his unstoppable energy.
Every successful partnership with an assistance dog is a wonderful thing but not each person who is helped is a natural in font of a TV camera or a journalist. Not everyone wants to be a PR person, no matter how grateful they may be for the dog that has given them back their life. The thing is, Allen and Endal make the perfect PR partnership. Thanks to them, many more people have seen the value of an assistance dog and have donated to the charity accordingly. Allen and Endal may, to many, be the face of Canine Partners, but because of them, many other partnerships have been funded. Canine Partners should perhaps think twice before they bite the hand that has fed them so loyally and so respectfully over the years.
Reading between the lines, this is not so much about EJ being denied a purple jacket, it’s more about the charity’s fear that Allen’s new wonder dog will beoome another Endal. My advice to CP would be to look at the bigger picture and remember that they have the power to change their own rules especially if the change will benefit charity. Then embrace the fact that, in EJ, they have another perfect PR vehicle for their hard-working charity. What more could any charity ask for?
Reply
Reading between the lines, could this not be resolved by Allen Parton working WITH the CP Trainers to aid him train EJ to a mutually satisfied outcome?
Reply
Well – concerned friend – Allens I assume or maybe I’m wrong in which case I apologies now in advance!
You are correct not everyone who has a Canine Partner wants to become a PR person for the charity. It’s not what the charity is about-it’s about someone going home with a dog that will enhance their life and give them more independence. However there are many who would and do occasionally happily promote the charity – if asked. The trouble there was, no other partnership was or is onsite at the training centre both in Petersfield and now Heyshott as often as he was. No thought was given to asking anyone else because he was always there. Surely it would be better to have more faces and their respective dog partners to be better known as partnerships are all over the country.
To Media exposure:- Would anyone in their right mind take Mr parton back to “work with” the charity when he can turn so venemously on a charity who in his own words “Gave me back my life”?
I’d also like to point out that he used Endal – wearing different jackets to promote other charities and companies – where’s the loyalty and commitment to Canine Partners there? Where was the credit for Canine Partners for training him when there was nothing about the other jackets to indicate this? Allen loves the camera and is slowly but surely moving into the media via other routes now and I’m sure he’ll be happy to carry on that way.
As for raising millions for the charity – he may have been in attendence where large amounts of money came in but he wasn’t personally responsible for raising that money alone. If that’s not boosting his own ego I don’t know what is! Taking credit for others hard work is shameful. He was there as a partnership it could have been any other partnership. I know of one partnership who in the first year raised twenty thousand pounds. Another partnership has raised enough money to purchase over a dozen dogs which is 12 more disabled people who now and in the future will have the benefit that the 120 existing partnerships already have. Can you put a price on that? I can’t! There was no big media fuss about these occasions and there often isn’t but that’s other people who truly have the best interest of Canine Partners at heart.
Reply
Dear Sincere
You are without doubt someone from within Canine Partners
..information you have printed is not generally known by those not connected with the organisation
I don’t believe Endal actually ever had any other training than his puppy socialisation? Quite a good value for money result. To little credit is given to the value of the first year of a little puppy with a puppy parent!
It has become general and proven fact that Canine Partners invited Mr Parton to introduce little EJ under the Canine Partners banner. For reason unkown the decision was changed leaving Mr P and EJ stranded. If it was me I’d be angry too..always two sides to a story I guess
Reply
Sincere – are you really Terry Knott – the chief executive of Canine Partners? Seems to me that you have a lot more information than the general public. I have just done a google image search and cannot find any photos of the wonderful Endal wearing anything other than his CP jacket!
Reply
Puppy parent and Magda – if you scroll back up you will see that in the comment I posted on Oct 20th @ 3.30pm I state that “I am a partner who along with other partnerships know the man well and have witnessed his tantrums first hand when he can’t have his own way”. Of course I’m connected to the charity AS A PARTNER!!
I value all puppy parents more highly than I can ever say! The gift they give to partnerships in their time and dedication during training is above and beyond – they are very special people. This is shown over and over when they selflessly hand the puppys over to move on with their training to be partnered with a disabled person (like me). God bless them!!
Endal didn’t qualify in the usual way. However that in no way detracts from the fact that he bonded with Allen and brought him many happy years working for him. How sad to tarnish the dog in the way he has. Lashing out without a thought for Endal, his wife and children!
There are indeed always two sides to every story – how sad that so much credance has been given to Allens side and only gripes and challenges given to anyone elses comments who know what’s what with truth and fact.
So Magda to refer you to the same posting I am most definately not Terry Knott but a PARTNERSHIP who has seen him in other jackets with my own eyes. Just because you can’t find a photo doesn’t mean it didn’t happen AND WASN’T WITNESSED BY OTHER PARTNERSHIPS! Partnerships are not allowed to over use their dogs in displays or demonstrations. At Crufts in particular we are only allowed to spend a couple of hours on the Canine Partner stand so our dogs are not over tired or stressed, but when Allens time was up he’d move on to another stand thereby breaking the guidelines/rules – whatever you want to call it. He’d then go back to the charitys stand later in the day. So who cares about their wonderful dog best? Not someone who pushes forward regardless of how his dog might be feeling.
As for his comment in another magazine of feeling insecurity and that he lived in fear of Endal being taken away if he didn’t do or say the right thing is nothing short of ridiculous! Nothing could be further from the truth and as a trustee he would have known that. Canine Partners will go out of their way to work with any partnership to a successful conclusion. There would have to be a serious reason which would be worked hard at long before removing a dog would be considered.
Fear of your dog being taken away is something many of us have at some time worried about without foundation. It is simply our own fear of being without a dog that has been so life changing. It has nothing to do with not saying/doing the right thing! That comment is simply another attempt to encorage sympathy from people who don’t know the facts.
Reply
What other jackets may one ask, has Endal worn, that has rocked the very foundations of Canine Partners to the ground? Sincere?
Reply
http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/News/2006/March2006/News100306/endal.htm
http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/News/2004/March2004/News050304/buster.htm
http://www.k9magazinefree.com/k9_perspective/iss17p3.shtml
Q.E.D.
Reply
Doobie you are a legend!! Thank you!!!
You have provided the photographic evidence that backs up everything we – who truly care about Canine Partners have known for a very long time. There is only one person who has “rocked the very foundations of Canine Partners to the ground” and I’m now very tired and very sick of hearing his name. If other people do us the courtesy of looking at the 3 web sites you’ve provided they will see that in,
Endal – the dog that has ‘done it all’ he mentions Canine Partners only 3 times. He speaks of Endal after 10 years still learning to do things “without being taught”. It’s what ALL Canine Partners do – in their training – to “problem solve”! The embellished “car park” story appears again! It goes on to state that both Buster and Endal worked on the SSAFA stand over 4 days raising funds for the service community as well as meeting their usual commitments. He was also on Canine Partners stand that year and it was as I left the stand to take a break with my dog I first saw Endal in the SSAFA jacket. He speaks of Endal “working his socks off” 5 days straight in fact! He speaks of being indebted to the KC for their support of “our partnership”. He also says Endal will be doing “his bit” for Canine Partners AS WELL AS helping to promote the work of Dog Theft and Labrador Rescue. He then goes on to say Endal fits in visits as a PAT DOG. That’s a yellow jacket for anyone who doesn’t know. Not one word of gratitude for Canine Partners!!! If you copy the photograph crop it to just him and Endal it can be seen clearly enough that it’s definately not a Canine Partners jacket but SSAFA.
In Buster VC helps to promote Crufts – not one mention of Canine Partners and again a distinctive BLUE jacket not a Canine Partners PURPLE one!!
Canine heroes launch Crufts – again the SSAFA blue jacket. Then underneath Endal in his true purple working jacket of Canine Partners.
I now – most “sincerely” thank all of those who have given Canine Partners support – including the doubting puppy parent. I hope this finally satisfies Magda and concerned friend and any others who have made accusations against me doobie and gnasher all seperate people. Also those who have doubted my words. I don’t lie or fabricate. I believe in truth and honesty – sincerely!
I have a life to live and precious time to spend with my special Canine Partner. I “sincerely” hope that Canine Partners can be allowed to get on with their wonderful work now and continue to do so with people who care, work so hard (the unsung heros) and believe in truth.
I will keep an eye on this sight purely because I will not stay quiet while some people doubt my words and falsly accuse me.
Thank you again Doobie as all I could do was speak the truth of what I have witnessed with my own eyes. “What can’t speak can’t lie and you provided proof positive!
sincere
Reply
Well well every so often one discovers a gem of a blog on the web but this is not one of them! This is a prime example of how a blog should not work
I,ve been a blogger for so many years now and have throughly enjoyed sharing and trading ideas and making new friends in all corners of the world.
This blog really goes against every thing so many have worked for.
The cowards that hide behind made up names and announce to the world that their voice is the only important one in the world and therefore true? As an outsider it appears a very close group of folk require to wash their dirty washing in public and dispite the claims to the opposite they really seem hell bend on dragging the name of a charity through the mud!
Why..petty jealousy, the green eyed monster and lack of any real focus or meaning in their lives. The list could go on for ever. One can never turn back the hands of time and change what has been instead one can make ever effort to make the future the dreamed success it could be.
Why so many people have since commented after MR A Parton stated his piece shows a side of human nature that is disappointing. So many folk have claimed he has done this and done that. The power of the blog is that if someone writes something then it must be true.
What started as a dispiute between a charity and a disabled man about a little puppy..really has shown the truly nasty side of some petty minded folk.
All I can suggest is some of these bloggers get a life and give something positive to society.
“Doobie you are a legend!! Thank you!!!” unbelievable!!!!
The fact that some sad soul spends a few minutes finding a couple of links, which in fact have absolutely no relevance to the main issue, to the sheer delight of an even sader soul Well it says it all in my book.
Not personnel who are you guys kidding. You’ve my vote MR Parton, silence really is the strongest sword
Reply
Hello there all
I actually think seeing a high profile disabled partner attending Crufts this year with a veteran Canine Partner at her side which was wearing not only a bark stop collar
but a halti as well did far more damage to Canine Partner’s reputation of producing the Roll Royce of highly trained assistance dogs. The lady was constantly angry with this lunging dog who was obviously very unhappy at being at Crufts.
I have seen with my very own eyes Canine Partners being dragged aimlessly, around Crufts for the full four days, behind power chairs, no purpose or reason for being there other than massaging their owners own ego and their need to seek attention.
I had the opportunity to hear MR. Parton talking about his relationship with Endal on one of the major pet food stands and I was just so inspired. There was not a dry eye in the area that heard him speak from the heart. I saw Endal sat on his own blanket with his water bowl whilst Mr. Parton talked, that level of care was not missed on me and I didn’t see any other speaker tend to their dogs personal needs as diligently.
Endal sporting a jacket promoting SSAFA and the KC for Crufts 2004 is wonderful and actually now on the CPI homepage they have followed his lead and are now trying to raise funds for injured servicemen. Way to go!
You state that “The embellished “car park” story appears again” well well… Having a copy of Hearts Paws and Mind in front of me as I type this..published just over a year ago by Canine Partners to raise much needed funds. This story is used as the main stay of the publication. Not told by Mr. Parton but by an author from Canine Partners, so it appears they are making a good earning from Endal’s exploits. Embellished hummm CPI have nearly made a whole book out of it!
Maybe your choice of handle “Sincere” should have been “obsessed”. Your earlier complaints that Endal and Allan have been over used in publicity, yet through your very own efforts you are keeping them there. Why not share your own partnership achievements with us, we are so keen to know why you would rather sit at a computer conducting a personnal hate campaign and not be out and about with this wonderful dog of yours.
As Ms Walker stated in this blog this is about the future of a little puppy. If the way Allan has cared for Endal is anything to go by:- then little EJ’s is in for a very happy and safe future along side his wheelchair with or without CPI’s help.
Who am I? Someone who has met Allan and Endal in the press office at Crufts in 2000 and each year since, I know where to find them every year, both sat quietly in a corner of the PO on the floor away from the crowds resting…seen with my very own eyes year after year after year!
I have never seen Endal looking unwell, tired, stressed or unhappy during his time at Crufts. I believe each day they made a point of having a vet check up at the vet centre each morning, how very uncaring that man is by his actions? Best they invest in a halti and bark stop collar and walk aimlesly for four days through crowds of 100,000s of people.
Reply
I don’t know anything at all about the background to this story so wouldn’t comment.
Only comment I have now is to point out that this is not a blog. It’s the comments section of an on-line magazine.
Free speach, no matter how upsetting to some, as long as it is legal, is still the order of the day.
Reply
I suspect that Doobie asked his daughter Hannah (the CP press person) to search through the various press releases for any pictures of Endal not wearing a CP jacket.
However I could be wrong
Reply
Yes, you’re wrong!
Reply
I have to say that I saw the chocolate labrador at Crufts wearing his bark-stop collar and thought it was an insult to a charity that prides itself on offering highly trained dogs to people with severe disabilities. Perhaps CP should ask Allen Parton for some advice regarding this particular dog as his dog always seems to behave like a perfect gentleman whenever I’ve seen them together.
I have also seen them in the PO at Crufts – Endal sitting peacefully on his blanket, Allen chatting away to people and the catering staff ensuring that both were comfortable. I’ve also seem them sat on the floor together in Hall 3 outside the press office before it moved, quietly observing the passers-by but close enough to the CP stand if needed. To my mind a perfect picture of a man and his dog recognising and meeting each others needs.
Although you have a lot of information Sincere – more than you should have if you are as you say – just a Partner – I can’t help thinking there is more to this than meets the eye. With respect, yours are the outpourings of someone consumed by jealousy, insecurity and yes obsession. If you really care about this charity you should stop raving about how Allen Parton lives his life and concentrate on your own rehabilitation. Anger is very destructive.
Reply
Seems to me that Magda, Puppy Parent, Sandra Walker et al all justify the current situation that Mr Parton finds himself in by slinging accusations at others, with little thought to what harm they are actually doing to the good name of the organisation. The organisation which by his own admission has apparently saved Partons’ life.
Very sad when a few who probably don’t know the full story, and let’s be honest who does, can be so vocal.
The clock cannot be turned back, but the time to move forward is upon us.
Reply
Canine Partners asked Mr Parton to work with them on the EJ project, not the other way around. There supporting evidence for this which handsomely confirms this. Mr Parton stating how betrayed and hurt he feels, out of the blue, after six months in to the project the chairman changes the goal posts and says that the charity has cahnged it mind. The original statement above does not reflect this and I for one am absolutely disappointed that CP can not do the honorable thing and publically appologise to Mr Parton for this. I have no issue the CP changed what it originally agreed what I do have difficulty with is the fact that all along it has blamed Mr Parton and when actually caught out CP acts all hurt and defensive. The public are not stupid and are not so easily misled!
Reply
Puppy Parent: you seem to know so much inside information you could actually be Mr Parton yourself!
The very point here is that Mr Parton came to the press with this issue in the first instance, maybe this was one time he should have worked things out behind closed doors.
You are quite right, the public are not stupid, and can see right through the vitreol that he has generated.
Reply
“Puppy Parent: you seem to know so much inside information you could actually be Mr Parton yourself!”
You’re wrong on both accounts and you know it! The chairman’s letter (in the public domain) started this..don’t blame Mr Parton for having the courage to stand up to those in the wrong.
Reply
This is a case of bullying a disabled ex serviceman by two able bodied ex officers.
Reply
Canine partners have cut their nose of to spite their face. This was an exceptional situation, and has done the charity's reputation more harm than good. A shame for it to end this way – a lose lose situation. Everyone who has a companion want some security and from the outside it seems fear of losing what he loves is what sparked Mr. Partons response, and who can blame him.
Come on Canine Partners, do the right thing!
Reply
One person does not make a charity, surely it is a team effort that prevails?
Reply
Meaning the team has let the individual down? The prevailing team effort seems rather poor, you are right.
Reply
this is a real shame such negative press for a charity that does such wonderful work.
Reply
Has this all be resolved peacefully? It has done such damage to the charity,
Reply
Double standards really do prevail at Canine Partners. Only this week a lady has arrived at Canine Partner's Midhurst training center with her own dog and the charity is going to give it a Jacket!!! After all they have recently claimed in the press, that this is something they do not do, their current actions completely contradict this. I do so hate being mislead and lied to!!!
Little EJ, in the mean time though, who has followed the formal CP puppy training since he was a mere 8 weeks old and has amassed a temperament and socilisation record for the last eight months. Yet he is going to be denied a jacket when he eventually reaches maturity. The opportunity allowed to this private owned dog is being denied to EJ which truly beggars belief of the educated person. I have to agree with the majority that CP really has done it's best to lose public support and funding.
Do the right thing and enable a disabled ex service man
Reply
Puppy Parent, you are so close to the situation, I for one do not think your opinions can be objective at all.
You and Mr Parton should stop playing the violins, he is no more or less worthy of an assistance dog than any other person with a disability; in fact, consider this, maybe the problem is not with the puppy at all, maybe it lies within Mr Parton himself. The way this whole charade has been conducted and orchestrated by him leaves one to imagine he is probably revelling in the whole thing, to the detriment of a charity that is about helping far more people than just him.
One partnership does not make a chairty, just as one swallow doesn't make a summer.
Mr Parton himself has apparently stated he doesn't need a fully trained assistance dog, so what's the
problem?
It is about industry standards, stop trying to make it about anything or anyone else!
Reply
"Puppy Parent, you are so close to the situation, I for one do not think your opinions can be objective at all" Truly a case of the pot calling the kettle etc but double standards the norm Mr Knott?/Dobbie!
It is as if you want to disclose some private and confidential information about Mr Parton to us all, that I am sure would breech client confidentiality, just how far can one stoop. I think if I was a perspective partnership 'I'd think twice that things related to partnership issues would be allowed to get so personal and so public! CP is winning no hearts over all this, in fact the opposite!
Interestingly I found this press release today
http://www.guidestar.org.uk/Charity_Uploads/80368...
The Chairman's comment "We also look forward to helping train ENDAL’s successor – Endal Junior, or ‘EJ’ as Allen calls him."
I can now fully understand why Mr Parton would have felt so upset when the Charity changed it's mind
Reply
Doobie Reply:
January 16th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Puppy Parent / Puppy Walker, it would seem that you are holding some mistakenly held belief that I am Mr Knott, indeed I am not Mr Knott. Sorry to disappoint you.
So the charity changed it's mind? That's their perogative on anything if they think the charity as a whole will benefit from an alternate course of action. Mr Parton will indeed know this, as he was previously a trustee of said charity, and in fact has been on record as previously voting against owner trained dogs wearing the CP jacket.
It's really a no brainer, he said himself he doesn't need an assistance dog, so what is the issue? I guess maybe he wants to take a pet dog everywhere with him.
Reply