Canine Partners

I eventually crawled in at 8pm last night after about nine hours on the road. But it was well worth it, because it was a big day for us in the Midlands, as we held our final Partnership Ceremony of the year, in which we celebrated another eight newly-formed partnerships. That’s another eight of these amazing dogs who are now accompanying their human partners through life, across various parts of the UK. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as we heard of the many and various ways in which these amazing dogs have helped to make life better for their new owners. And it was a wonderful opportunity for the Canine Partners family to get together and celebrate – especially those members of the family who helped to put these particular partnerships together, either through volunteering or sponsorship.

The other reason for it being a big day for us in the Midlands was that the builders arrived on site while Partnership Ceremony was taking place, in high viz jackets and hard hats, which can only mean one thing – work is starting on the development of our second main building! This will make such a difference to us and also to disabled people living in the Midlands as when it is finished, it will enable lots more people to come and stay with us on site while being matched up with our dogs, as the building will provide residential accommodation that is adapted for people with high levels of disability. Having started it now, we hope to have it finished and in use by next Summer/Autumn. Exciting!

Did I tell you about the Winter Market we held last week? That was very Christmassy and exciting! Our halls were decked with holly. In fact they were decked by Holly, as she was in charge of coordinating this particular event. (Her friend Ivy couldn’t make it this year). Much fun and yuletide merriment was had by all, and we were entertained by In Accord with a selection of Christmassy tunes, all sung a cappella. By the time everyone wended their ways home, we had raised over £2,000 to help us train more dogs, which is brilliant. A special mention of our superb band of volunteers who helped out as always. Terry – this event simply wouldn’t have happened without you. Likewise William, and so many others too many to mention. The Canine Partners team is made up of seven times as many volunteers as paid staff.

The wind had really picked up by the time we packed up the Winter Market, and rain came lashing down. This was a real reminder of the devastating effects of Storm Desmond further north and around the UK. The Canine Partners family is spread widely across all regions, and we feel it whenever the UK is battered by extremes of weather. Life is difficult in these circumstances, let alone when you use a wheelchair and have a dog to walk, so spare a thought for our partnerships, of whom there are 340 around the UK at this present moment. And that number rises every week, as we partner more dogs.

Our next stop is the amazing Carol Service in London tomorrow evening, arranged by Angela Hamlin and our wonderful friends at Draycott  Nursing and Care. Her Royal Highness Sophie Countess of Wessex will be joining us in the magnificent Guards Chapel for what will prove to be a memorable night, with an array of celebrities giving readings between the carols, to a full house of over 600 guests. Our Ken is already loading up the van, and our dogs are putting the final touches to the various displays they will be giving throughout the service – the details of this special demonstration are top secret. In fact I’ve already said too much! Rest assured I’ll tell you all about it after the event.

Onwards and upwards, as we go out and transform more people’s lives with these very special dogs

Andy