Assistance dog charity launches local community group

ASSISTANCE dog charity Canine Partners has launched a local community group in North Northumberland and the Scottish borders.

The new community group held a launch event and awareness day at Newton Hall, Newton-by-the-Sea, on Wednesday 10 October.

The charity trains amazing assistance dogs to transform the lives of people living with disabilities across the UK, boosting their confidence and independence.

The dogs are taught a range of everyday tasks including picking up and retrieving items, opening doors and undressing a person. They can even help to load and unload a washing machine and they can fetch help in an emergency.

Over 100 people attended the event, including three Canine Partners partnerships, which featured a demonstration, a film and a talk from volunteer Susan Fulton, from Lowick, who is partnered with canine partner Esther.

The event raised over £1,500, which includes a cheque presentation from The Joiners Arms, who raised over £800 by taking part in a ‘Steps’ challenge to raise vital funds for the charity.

“We were delighted to host this event, it was a lovely afternoon and you could tell from people’s faces that they were genuinely interested to hear what these dogs can do,” says John Parker, General Manager at Newton Hall, who donated the venue and refreshments for the event.

“The staff at our sister venue, The Joiners Arms, raising sufficient money from their ‘step challenge’ to buy a puppy for the charity was the icing on the cake for the event.”

If you would like to find out more about joining The North Northumberland and Scottish Boarders Community Group, please visit caninepartners.org.uk/get-involved or call Marjorie Johnston on 07767 617992.