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Canine Partners Launches in Scotland

Assistance dog charity is poised to help people with disabilities throughout country

Monday 28th April 2008: Canine Partners (Registered Charity No. 803680), a charity specialising in providing highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities, is today announcing its launch into Scotland. The Charity’s first Scottish partnership is established in Dumfries, there is a satellite office in Angus and, in response to demand, Canine Partners aim to set up a further 6 new partnerships in Scotland this year along with a new satellite office in Glasgow.

For people with severe disabilities, every day tasks become impossible obstacles.  Becoming increasingly dependent on carers for support can lead to a loss of independence and self-esteem.  Canine Partners aims to assist people with disabilities to recover their self-confidence, through partnering them with an assistance dog that can help with tasks such as dressing, operating a pedestrian crossing, picking up dropped items and supermarket shopping, as well as emergency response procedures.

Canine Partners has its Head office in West Sussex and satellite offices in Angus, the Isle of Wight, Southampton, Cheshire, East Sussex, Hull and Bedford with over 140 partnerships throughout the United Kingdom. Canine Partners already has a volunteer Committee in Scotland chaired by the Earl of Eglinton.

Vivien Mullett has Spinal Muscular Atrophy & Cauda Equina Syndrome. She lives with her husband in Dumfries and graduated with Canine Partner Cosmo at the end of 2007. “Prior to having Cosmo, life was somewhat frustrating as I had very little personal space and lacked the confidence to go far in my chair.” comments Vivien. “Cosmo has given me the ability to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors.  He provides me with unconditional love.”

James Barr from Canine Partners in Scotland comments: “There are in excess of 8,000 people with severe physical disabilities in Scotland and a large percentage of them could benefit from a Canine Partner.  Expanding into Scotland seemed a natural progression in the charity’s growth plans, enabling us to provide our amazing dogs for Scottish people.  It’s hard to believe the impact a Canine Partner can make on the life of someone with disabilities, as well as potentially saving £65,000 on the cost of carers during a dog’s working lifetime.”

Canine Partners is looking for applicants for dogs, volunteers, Puppy Parents (specifically in Angus area) and fundraisers throughout Scotland. For further information on Canine Partners please visit www.caninepartners.co.uk or call 08456 580480.

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