99 Squadron plays a major role in supporting the forward battle groups, on the front lines, around the world, transporting the troops, supplying vital equipment 24/7 and quite poignantly bringing home injured servicemen and women. The versatility of the aircraft and dedication of the RAF crews enable a rapid turnaround of aircraft configuration to meet an ever changing requirement.

A busy military airbase is not quite the normal environment one would expect to find a Hounds for Heroes assistance dog but both EJ and reservist dog Ikea took the day touring around the various aircraft such as C17s (Globemaster), Tri-Star jets and the back ground support units in their stride. The never ending stream of aircraft arriving and departing, the thundress roar of aircraft engines departing at full throttle was incredible but both dogs remain totally non plus about the whole thing. Even during the photo call the two faithful hound remained total focused on the job in hand, in fact it was the human partners that were far too easily distracted by the airfield activities!

Gulf war veteran Allen Parton (Founder of Hounds for Heroes and Royal Navy veteran) said “a visit like this brings back such a great sense of personnel loss for me, the services was my life for over 20 years, my chosen career for life and then it was all suddenly taken away. Equally though to see such a dedicated and proud team of servicemen and women making all this happen and so efficiently was so inspiring and has made me even more determined to make Hounds for Heroes a true success. We owe it to these young men and women that should that day come that they too are injured or disabled we are there to assist them in long term rehabilitation”

During the visit the Hounds for Heroes team met up with the a group of town members from Wootten Basset, made world famous for the way it honors the fallen servicemen and women as the funeral processions pass though the town’s high street. It was an emotionally charged day for all as the crews of 99 Squadron have the unenviable task of bringing the fallen back from Afghanistan. However to have the dogs there was such a morale booster for so many of the guests there and lightened the procedures somewhat.

The inside of the cavernous belly of the Globemaster was one of the more unusual places that EJ and Ikea have been photographed in, at one point leaving Allen behind EJ visited the cockpit for a photo opportunity first having to ascend a near vertical flight of stairs an obstacle that posed him no difficulty in either direction thanks to the guidance of Sqn Leader Wayne Palmer (how was he ever going to explain to his wife about all those blonde hairs all over his uniform when he went home that evening?)

“It was so humbling for us to have so many offers of help from the Wootten Bassett group” said Allen ” a town so strongly associated with remembering our fallen now wanting to help the many injured and traumatized servicemen and women”

Hounds for Heroes has started it’s “Puppies on Parade Appeal” where the charity aims at raising £100,000, which will pay for 5 dogs for 5 years. With over 900,000 injured Servicemen and women in the UK the charity has a big hill to climb. The vision is to have disabled Service, and Emergency Service, personnel with Hounds for Heroes dogs as regular sights on the high streets.

Squadron Leader Wayne Palmer (Chairman of Hounds for Heroes) said “This has been a great day and we feel we have a lot of synergy with 99 Squadron. They are one of the first parts of the healing process and we will be the last part. Our aim is to have the perception of the great British public to change and see an assistance dog as a badge of honour. We look forward to the day that a “Hound” is on the Annual Remembrance Parade by the Cenotaph in London.”

More information at: www.houndsforheroes.com, facebook/houndsforheroes and twitter/houndsforheroes.

Where and When?

Monday 20th September

2.00-3.00pm

Pen Farthing No Place Like Home: A New Beginning with the Dogs of Afghanistan

Tickets: £5

Like his Sunday Times bestseller One Dog at a Time (Ebury Press, April 2010), No Place Like Home (Ebury Press, July 2010) is the story of Marine Pen Farthing’s courage and persistence in rescuing dogs from Afghanistan. It will warm -and break – the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.

Hampstead & Highgate Literary Festival

Venue: London Jewish Cultural Centre, Ivy House, 94-96 North End Road, NW11 7SX

Book online at www.hamhighlitfest.com or call 020 8511 7900

Although Sally will not be relying on human aid to reach the summit, she will be helped by a special kind of “off road” wheelchair called a Boma, which is being loaned to her for the challenge by the company Molten Rock, and Harmony will be by her side giving her confidence. Sally is very mindful of the potential difficulties she may encounter on the expedition – she has been advised throughout by a professional mountain guide, who will accompany her, with his team. She has also taken advice from the guide and from Canine Partners’ veterinary advisor, to make sure that all precautionary measures are put in place to ensure Harmony’s welfare throughout the ascent and descent. In addition, several of the Charity’s trainers are accompanying Sally primarily to assist Harmony and to babysit her if at any stage it appears unsafe for her to continue to the very top. However, dogs ascend Ben Nevis day in, day out, so Sally has every expectation that Harmony will easily manage the expedition, particularly as she has been in special fitness training for some time now.

It is Sally’s strong bond with Harmony that gives her the confidence to make the attempt, and with Harmony at her side, she believes that anything is possible, as she explains: “Before I had this disabling condition I used to love climbing mountains especially the Munroes, and have even been on the flanks of Everest. Since having MS I thought my days of being on top of a Munro were over, until I received my lovely canine partner Harmony. While giving her free run exercise I found myself becoming more adventurous, and with that I rediscovered my spirit of adventure, going everywhere that I could with her. Then I was asked for a picture of Harmony and me somewhere iconic: what is more iconic than Britain’s highest mountain? From that thought my dream was born.”

Canine Partners trains dogs to assist people with disabilities to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The Charity aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities including members of HM Armed Forces.

These life transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits including increased independence and confidence as well as increased motivation and self-esteem. It is exactly this independence and confidence that has allowed Sally to contemplate her huge challenge, and is inspiring her to raise the money for the Charity that trained the dog that changed her life.

“It will be tough and painful for me,” says Sally. “I will need to rest for days before and after. It will be physically challenging, and I am training hard; building my stamina, losing weight, getting medical advice and support. But it will be worth it. I will get up another Munro again, thanks to the Boma wheelchair and the life-changing effects of a dog called Harmony.”

Charlotte, owner of rescue Staffordshire Bull Terrier Meatball, says ”The law right now is ridiculous and must be changed, all dogs have the potential to be dangerous but also all dogs have a much greater potential to change and fulfil the lives of their owners. Punishing people’s pets that have done nothing wrong on the basis of their appearance is terrible; they are family members who are loved. The truth is dogs bring more joy to people than they bring harm – but that doesn’t make headlines”

The current legislation has come under fire again recently with major organisations demanding the legislation is scrapped and a new bill proceeding through Parliament that removes the emphasis off the type of dog and places it firmly on the owners. The Metropolitan police expect to spend a staggering £10,000,000 of taxpayer’s money on enforcement of the current failed legislation over the next four years with the vast majority of dogs held having never shown any sign of aggression.

Meanwhile dogs can be held for years in almost solitary confinement while cases drag on. Welfare of seized dogs has also caused uproar as more than one hundred dogs have died of illness or unknown reason while in the care of the authorities, while others have been returned cut, bleeding and emaciated.

And Charlotte isn’t all talk and no action. On 24th July Charlotte and Meatball will be joining Anti B.S.L group DDAWatch and members of the public at a Vigil entitled ‘Not Guilty!’ in Richmond Terrace, London. DDAWatch members hope the event will send a strong message to the Government that the current legislation is flawed and must be replaced.

One attendee, Sarah Anderson said “I watched my dogs as they died because I believed I had no choice. They had never hurt anyone and I would never have put them in a position that they felt they would have to. The Vigil will be a time for me to remember my girls and I hope that with Charlottes help, the Government will heed our call and stop punishing the Breed rather than the Deed.”

Charlotte believes now is the time to speak up and protect friendly pet dogs whose only crime is in their appearance.

At 5pm during the vigil Charlotte will accompany representatives of DDAWatch to Downing Street where they will hand in letters from members of the public requesting a repeal of section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act. They will also hand over a scroll in memory of some canine victims of BSL.

Register online NOW at pupidol@btinternet.com to enter your dog

Other competitions include:

-MISS HAMPSTEAD 2010 (Prettiest Female)

- MR HAMPSTEAD 2010 (Handsomest Male)

- CUTEST PUP

- GOLDEN OLDIE (for canines over

- BEST RESCUE

- LIKE OWNER, LIKE DOG (if you & your dog look quite alike…)

Great raffle (with many prizes), face painting, and a lot of fun guaranteed!

£3 per entry, all proceeds go to All Dogs Matter
Charity Reg. Number 1132883

(HURRY! ONLY 20 DOGS PER CATEGORY!)

On the Prince’s arrival at the site, all the working dogs waiting in the courtyard to meet him broke out into a spontaneous welcoming bark, which made everyone smile and set the tone for a very informal and fun visit. Prince Harry was escorted round the training centre by Andy Cook, Canine Partners’ CEO, and the first port of call was the training hall where several of the Charity’s youngest recruits were waiting to impress the royal visitor.

Among the pups lucky enough to interact with Prince Harry were 14 week old Labrador Una, who happily shook paws with the Prince, and even showed off how good her recall was by running to him when he called her. Four-month-old golden retriever Trudy demonstrated how she was learning to put her front paws on a step, and went one stage further in front of Prince Harry by putting all four paws on the step and sitting down! But the pup that received the most royal attention was eight-week-old Veyron – named after the famous supercar the Bugatti Veyron. As Prince Harry cuddled the pup he commented on the little noises Veyron was making. Andy quickly responded by joking, “That is what he normally does before he is sick!” Later on, however, the Prince got his own back on Andy when they were watching a dog being groomed by jokily saying that he was allergic to dog fur.

Once the youngsters had performed, it was time for the older dogs in training to show off the more advanced skills they learn, including pulling bedclothes off, handing over a purse at a checkout and opening doors. Prince Harry was invited to get involved by putting some wheelchair gloves on and asking demonstration dog Doyle to remove them and put them in the washing machine. Undeterred by his famous temporary handler and all the world’s media taking pictures, Doyle performed his duty and earned a pat on the head from the Prince.

Then it was on to meet two very new partnerships who were on their two-week residential course at the centre, learning the training and cementing the bond. Gwyneira Waters (45), who lives in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, with her canine partner Nikki, and Alison Wyatt (45), from Colchester in Essex, with her new partner Maddy, had a chat with Prince Harry about how they were looking forward to more independence and confidence when they took their new dogs home with them at the end of the course.

Another partnership lucky enough to meet Prince Harry was Stephen Brookes who has had canine partner Major for six weeks. Stephen (31), from Fareham in Hampshire, is a petty officer in the Royal Navy and has served for 14 years. After an accident on his motorbike he sustained a spinal injury which left him tetraplegic and a wheelchair user. He has been undergoing rehabilitation at Headley Court, the defence medical rehabilitation unit, and it was there that he heard about Canine Partners, and decided to apply. He said: “Since having Major I have gained more independence in my everyday life. Being in a wheelchair, I was highly reliant upon my family, friends and carers. He makes tasks I found difficult since my injury, so much easier, like picking up objects, opening doors, using lifts and even paying for items in shops; now I can call on Major and he can do these things with me. Major comes with his own cheeky personality and I believe we were well matched. He is now a valued, and much loved member of our family, he fits right in.”

Stephen’s wife, Nichola (31), and two young children Emily (2) and Grace (5) also met the Prince, and the two girls presented him with little posies. They were very excited at meeting Prince Harry, but even more excited at all the photographers and television cameras. After a few seconds of talking to the Prince, Emily turned away and was heard to say: “Can I have my biscuit now?” which caused much merriment with the royal visitor.

The event was rounded off with a tea party where Prince Harry had a chance to mingle with a host of working partnerships. There was even a “when Harry met Harry” moment when he came upon a red golden retriever canine partner sharing his name. He asked Harry’s disabled owner, Sarah Ashcroft (32) from Swanley in Kent, if he was so named because he was ginger!

The visit has been the highlight so far of Canine Partners’ 20th anniversary year, and will help to raise the profile of the Charity. Andy Cook says: “The visit by Prince Harry is a huge boost to Canine Partners and we thoroughly enjoyed showing him how we train the dogs to help people with disabilities. He was very interested in our work with the Armed Forces, and had a long private chat with petty officer Stephen Brookes about how the dogs can make such a difference to injured servicemen and women. The Prince proved to be a competent handler with the more advanced dogs in training, and a big hit with the younger puppies who vied with each other to get the most cuddles! He spoke to many of our working partnerships, giving him an insight into the variety of ways a canine partner can help his disabled owner.”

The Police Dog Trials, led by the Wiltshire Police dog section, is a new attraction for 2010 and will be held in its own arena. Twelve police dogs from seven forces will compete for a range of trophies, and visitors will be able to see some of the best dogs from across the region carrying out exercises in a competitive environment.

During the first session, the dogs will be judged on their accuracy in a heelwork exercise. This will measure not only their obedience but also how well they enjoy working with their handler. The dogs’ agility will also be assessed over a range of four different obstacles, including a 6ft high scale.

The second session will see the police dog and handler pit their skills against five ‘criminals’, some armed with a weapon or gun. The teams will have to show tenacity in accosting these offenders, but the dogs will also have to remain controlled and responsive to their handlers in what is an extremely exciting environment. Handler nerves can often play a part in these competitions, and the dogs can seize the moment and play to the crowd!

During the lunch break, there will be a demonstration of how police dogs search for illegal drugs. Mostly spaniels, these dogs have exceptional noses and the enthusiasm they bring to the search is a joy to see – the audience will be able to join in parts of this display.

Chief Inspector Mark Levitt, from the Emergency Services Show committee, said: “This is a unique opportunity for the public to see the best police dog teams in the region competing against each other, and it is bound to be a great crowd pleaser! It is also a perfect fit with the aim of the Show, which is to showcase the work of the emergency services and those who work with them to keep our communities safe.”

The Emergency Services Show runs from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 12 September – for more information, visit www.emergencyservicesshow.com

30 teams will undertake the Challenge, which starts at 9.15am with breakfast. During the day’s activities, lunch will be served, and there will be an opportunity for participants to win themselves a fabulous prize in one of the two auctions. Prizes range from a private tour of Goodwood House or a chance to stay in a chalet in Klosters, to a voucher for a portrait photograph of your pet by renowned photographer Nick Ridley or tea at the House of Lords. Canine Partners is extremely grateful to all auction donors for their generosity in supplying a wonderful selection of lots.

Last year the Challenge raised £13,800 for Canine Partners, and it is hoped that this year the guests will be even more generous. For a charity that receives no government funding, events like these are vital to help fund the training of more dogs for people with disabilities.

Holywell Estate has been the venue for the annual Driven Clay Challenge for many years, and the Earl and Countess of Clarendon generously open up their grounds and host the event every year. Another high profile supporter is Canine Partners Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Unfortunately this year His Royal Highness is unable to attend in person, but he has sent a message of support for all those taking part.

The Driven Clay Challenge is sponsored by a variety of established and well-known companies including Cypress Asia, Knight Frank, Holland and Holland and Country Life.

Anyone wishing more information about this event can call Jane Jackson on 01730 716002 or email janej@caninepartners.org.uk

A long hot summer is expected and with the public heading out in force for some sunny frolics, Poop Scoop Week is aiming to ensure a poop-free and pleasant experience in all open spaces.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust Chief Executive, explains:

“We want Poop Scoop Week to be about saying thank you and well done to the millions of well-behaved dog owners, but also to remind the irresponsible minority that their dog can’t pick up after itself.

If every dog owner fulfils their duty we can all look forward to summer strolls and picnics in parks free from the worry of dog poop! Let’s make Poop Scoop Week the week everybody takes responsibility – we will be amazed at the difference we can make.”

Dog fouling is a problem the charity is determined to tackle. The campaign slogan ‘Bag it and Bin it’ is a simple reminder to all dog owners:

BAG IT – Once your dog’s poop has been scooped, carefully turn the plastic bag inside out and your dogs mess will then be ‘bagged’.

BIN IT – Dispose of your bag in any litter bin provided (don’t leave it lying around). Contrary to popular belief, dog waste can be put into a public litter bin if a specific dog waste bin is not provided.

Everybody should get in touch with their Local Authority to find out their local Poop Scoop Week itinerary of events.

http://www.londontown.com/LondonStreets/richmond_terrace_096.html

Everyone is welcome but please note that NO DOGS ARE PERMITTED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT. It is our turn to fight for them so their presence is not required and they would prefer the sofa at home anyway!!!

We are asking everyone who attends to write a personal letter stating why they are opposed to B.S.L. At 5pm two representatives of DDAWatch will be escorted to Downing Street to hand in your letters.

If you cannot attend but would like us to hand in a letter on your behalf please post your letter to:

Endangered Dogs Defence and Rescue Ltd

Post Office Box 1544, London, W7 2ZB

Please ensure all letters are handsigned and ideally an address for any response to be sent directly back to yourself.

A selection of letters may be read out at the Vigil although names/addresses will not be given out. Please state on the reverse of your letter if you do not wish your letter to be read out.

Please bring posters and banners and keep all dialogue with the public polite and friendly. We wish to share our message in a positive and memorable way.

We have a job to do, to educate the public and campaign peacefully to the government and we need to engage rather than enrage.

We hope many of you will be able to attend the vigil and show your support for the repeal of Section One, DDA.

Please bring cameras and soft drinks. Poster and banner ideas will be uploaded to DDAWatch facebook group in the next few days.

We are also hoping to do a live broadcast of the event and would love to hear from anyone wishing to hold a similar event in their area. Please email mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk for more info

To add a fun element to our peaceful vigil, there will be a mystery PRIZE for the best T-shirt of the day, best banner and after the event, best of photograph from the vigil, get creative folks!!

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you there!

Please confirm attendance by emailing mail@dangerousdogsact with the number of people in your group or you can confirm via our facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/pages/DDA-Watch/366883744658?v=app_2344061033#!/event.php?eid=110461509003483&ref=mf