FORWARD: Autumn/Winter 2019 Guide Dogs presents the Autumn/Winter 2019 issue of Forward, the official Guide Dogs magazine. Introduction This document contains every part of the print version of Forward, and in the same order as that used in the print edition. Forward The official Guide Dogs magazine Autumn/Winter 2019 Two’s company – Ant and Dec support our Pups to Partnerships Appeal Also inside: * What have Ainsley and Alex cooked up in the kitchen? * Find out who’s won a People Award * The latest from our Campaigns team Cover photograph: The main image on the cover is of yellow Labrador guide dog puppies Ant and Dec being held by their human namesakes, entertainers Ant and Dec. Also on the front cover is a small photograph of celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott in a kitchen with guide dog owner Alex Pepper, star of the recent Guide Dogs advertising campaign. Contents Regulars - Welcome from the CEO Regulars - News Stories from across Guide Dogs Regulars - Guide Dogs in the media Find out where our charity has made the headlines Regulars - Celebrity round-up special The stars have been out in force to support Guide Dogs Features - On the campaign trail People and dogs - Discover who’s won a Guide Dogs People Award People and dogs - Find out how John Churcher raised the money to name a guide dog puppy Features - Creating guide dog partnerships that last An interview with Tim Stafford, Guide Dogs’ Services Director for Canine Assisted Services Features - Read all about Guide Dogs’ latest brand campaign Features - Priya’s story Guide dog owner Priya has overcome many challenges in her life People and dogs - Who will you remember through our Guiding Stars campaign? Features - Josie’s story Features - The results of our Volunteer Impact Assessment Features - A Day In The Life Of… Merry Martin, Training and Behaviour Advisor People and dogs - Thank you to our supporters Features - Celebrating this year’s Guide Dogs Appeal successes People and dogs - New Partnerships People and dogs - Breeding stock qualifiers People and dogs - Letters Regulars - Caption competition Kaiser the pet Labrador has found some mischief! Features - In good company Promotions Contact details - arising from the articles in this edition of Forward Included here are six photographs. The first is of guide dog owner Kirsty Hill with her yellow Labrador guide dog Rosa. The second is of Eiger, a golden retriever guide dog puppy named by paraclimber John Churcher. The third is of a guide dog puppy standing next to a mobility instructor. The fourth is of Priya, a guide dog owner from London. The fifth is of a yellow Labrador puppy. The final photograph is of Emma Braithwaite and her rehomed guide dog Alfie, a black curly-coated retriever. The Team Contributors: Annabel Williams, Lucy Llewelyn, Clare Hellery, Veronica Butt, Daniel Silva, Joe Bullimore, Deborah Rees, Emma Brown, Ally Bennett, Joel Young, Kyla McVicar, Eleanor Stephens, Beverley Poole, Liz Palmer, Sharne Kirkwood, Karen Green and Josie Lawson. Designed by: Paula in The Design Studio Contributions: Send editorial items to Forward by post at the Head Office address below, or by email to forward@guidedogs.org.uk. Unfortunately, due to the volume of ideas we receive, we cannot acknowledge every item. We reserve the right to edit or refuse. Forward is available in Braille, large print, audio CD and online as audio and text files. It is also available as an accessible PDF from our website at www.guidedogs.org.uk/forward. You are receiving this copy of Forward magazine as one of our valued supporters. If you no longer wish to receive it, please contact us by phone on 0800 953 0113 or by email on guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk. Founding Editor: The late Captain Nikolai Liakhoff MBE FRZS Registered Head Office: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG Tel: 0118 983 5555 Fax: 0118 983 5433 Web: www.guidedogs.org.uk Email: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk © 2019 Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) Full colour advertising is available in Forward. For information on rates, publication dates and circulation, please call 0118 983 8295. Terms and conditions apply. Any products or services advertised in Forward by third parties are not in any way endorsed by Guide Dogs, and Guide Dogs shall not be responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in such advertisements nor has it investigated or verified any of the information. Chief Executive’s welcome I can’t quite believe how quickly 2019 has passed – the first full year of implementing our By My Side strategy is coming to a close. The strategy, which takes us to 2023 and beyond, outlines our plans to provide more services, reduce waiting times and invest in our future. We have started with increased investment in our people, facilities and technology. For example, this year we’ve recruited more than 70 new staff right across the UK, including into trainee roles such as Guide Dog Mobility Instructors and Habilitation Specialists, to ensure that we can fulfil the future demand for our services. We’ve also rolled out our Standardised Training for Excellent Partnerships (STEP) programme at our Maidstone, Cardiff, Coventry, Liverpool, Forfar, Atherton, Bristol, London and Reading sites. If you’d like to know more about STEP, there’s a fantastic interview with our Director for Canine Assisted Services, Tim Stafford, where he talks about all the latest developments. We’ve been moving to a more regionalised structure to better support local delivery, including the purchase and development of our Bristol site as a new centre for the South West. Meanwhile, plans are increasingly advanced to modernise Redbridge, Leamington Spa and Leeds alongside our more modern sites at Atherton and Forfar. To support our ambition we have also been transforming our technology, starting with the roll-out of a new digital experience platform supporting our next generation website. This will allow us to introduce many more applications to support our work and help bring our information together. We are also moving to cloud-based systems (where things like software programmes are kept centrally, rather than on individual computers) to better support our volunteers and staff. I know regular readers will also be interested in an update on Dolly, the black Labrador that my family and I were puppy walking. I’m delighted to say that, after an assessment at our National Breeding Centre, Dolly has joined our breeding stock as a future guide dog mum. From a personal point of view, it’s lovely that she will get to stay in our family home as she has her litters of life-changing guide dog puppies in the coming years. As a volunteer puppy walker and now as a breed stock holder, and in meeting so many other volunteers, it reinforces to me the amazing contribution our volunteers make on so many fronts. Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to support the tens of thousands of people with sight loss that we do. We value our volunteers’ opinions very much, which is why we were pleased that so many completed our third Volunteer Impact Assessment. This survey asks respondents about what it’s like to volunteer for us, as we strive to make sure that everyone who gives their time to Guide Dogs has the best experience possible. You can find out more about the results of this year’s survey in the volunteering section. Finally, I enjoyed our world record attempt for the largest ever dog photoshoot. We organised the attempt, at Warwick Racecourse, as part of our Pups to Partnerships appeal. For all the very latest, you can follow me on Twitter; I’m @tomwrightuk. With best wishes, Tom Wright CBE Chief Executive Guide Dogs Included here is a photograph of Tom Wright CBE, Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, wearing a jacket and tie and smiling at the camera. News Forward magazine – thank you for your views! In our spring/summer edition, we asked you to complete a readers’ survey as we were keen to get your thoughts on this magazine – what you love, what we can do differently or what you’d like to read more about. We are very grateful to the 3,000 readers who took the time to fill in the survey. Feedback about the magazine was overwhelmingly positive, with the comment “keep up the good work” appearing often. Some of you raised interesting points, such as the plastic bag that the standard print version of this magazine is sent in. We’d like to take this opportunity to assure you that this bag is fully degradable in landfill conditions, and we’re looking into a compostable alternative. Meanwhile, we’re working on which of your suggestions we might be able to incorporate in future editions of the magazine. Included here is a photograph of the front cover of this issue of Forward magazine. Betty Brown – 1929-2019 It is with deep sadness that the Guide Dogs family said goodbye to Betty Brown MBE from Melrose – one of the most prolific and longest-serving puppy walkers in Guide Dogs’ history. It started in 1966, when Betty read an article about the urgent need for volunteers to instil basic obedience in would-be young guide dogs. Along with her late sister Alison, Betty set an incredible 98 puppies on their journeys to becoming life-changing guide dogs in a period spanning more than 50 years. Betty was also chairperson for the Roxburgh fundraising group, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Guide Dogs. In 2010, Guide Dogs recognised the sisters’ contribution and invited them to lay the foundation stone at the new National Breeding Centre in Leamington Spa. Included here is a photograph of Alison and Betty Brown, each holding a basket of flowers. Sight Advice FAQ site Guide Dogs has collaborated with RNIB, Visionary, VICTA, Fight for Sight and Vision UK to build a website to provide people who are blind or partially sighted with easy-to-access, high-quality information about sight loss. Working in partnership, the charities have shared their expertise to create the site, www.SightAdviceFAQ.org.uk, which pulls together content from across the sector. The Sight Advice FAQ portal answers questions about living with sight loss, eye health or being newly diagnosed with a sight condition. Visitors to the website can type their question into the search box on the page or use the menu to find the information or advice they are looking for. Kirstie Bower, Guide Dogs’ Director of Skills, Information and Support Services, said: “The Sight Advice FAQ portal is a fantastic resource which we’ve been proud to be part of.” Included here is the logo for the Sight Advice FAQ website. Brexit and having a guide dog Guide dog owners need to be aware of the changes to regulations for pet travel which will affect the way they are able to travel with their guide dogs within the EU, following Brexit. The government has issued official travel guidance that all pet owners, including guide dog owners, need to follow to ensure they can still travel to the EU. It’s important that guide dog owners are aware of this latest official travel advice, as it may require guide dog owners to plan their travel four months in advance. Guide dog owners should visit www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit for the latest official advice. Alternatively contact the Pet Travel Scheme helpline for more information on 0370 241 1710, or email pettravel@apha.gov.uk. Included here is a photograph of a black Labrador guide dog waiting at a kerb with its owner. Inset is an image, on the left is half of the Union Flag, on the right is half of the EU’s 12-star flag. Guide Dogs Cymru keep chasing pavements Guide Dogs Cymru has been invited to join a new Welsh Government taskforce set up to look at ways of tackling pavement parking. The division of responsibilities between Wales and Westminster means that powers on pavement parking are unclear, and the group will examine what the Welsh Government can do to address the problem without a new law. This could include changes to the way in which parking offences are handled within existing regulations. The group will report to Welsh ministers by June 2020. Included here is a photograph of Guide Dogs Cymru engagement officer Nathan Foy and his black Labrador guide dog Mason, with deputy transport minister for Wales Lee Waters. Guide Dogs wedding favours Are you getting married in the near future and wondering if there’s a way to support Guide Dogs on your big day? Since 2010, Guide Dogs Northern Ireland have been supplying couples throughout the UK with beautiful handwritten wedding favour cards, pins and gifts. This is a lovely opportunity to mark your special day and change lives at the same time. For more information and details of how to order, type “wedding favours” in the search box at the top of www.guidedogs.org.uk. If you have any questions please email weddings@guidedogs.org.uk. Included here is a photograph of a Guide Dogs wedding favour, with a bow, a ribbon and the Guide Dogs logo. One in five people with sight loss miss or avoid train journeys We launched a poll in August revealing how inaccessible rail travel is for people with sight loss, with one in five saying that they have missed or deliberately avoided travelling by train. The common issues cited in the survey were poorly designed infrastructure (60%), lack of in-station support by rail staff (54%), and finding assigned seats on board trains (66%). The poll demonstrates the need for the Government to make the improvements promised in last year’s Inclusive Transport Strategy. Clive Wood, Policy and Campaigns Manager at Guide Dogs, said: “We are calling on the Government to uphold commitments made as part of the Inclusive Transport Strategy. Everyone with sight loss deserves to be able to travel with the same level of confidence as any other passenger.” Included here is a photograph of a guide dog owner, with his black Labrador guide dog, having his ticket checked at the barrier as he leaves the platform at a railway station. Forfar welcomes some very special guests In July, we were honoured to welcome the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their invited guests to our Forfar Regional Centre, in celebration of the royal couple being given the Scottish titles The Earl and Countess of Forfar earlier this year by The Queen. The special guests were given a demonstration of guide dogs in training and were welcomed by local guide dog owner Allan, long-standing Forfar volunteers Clema and Maureen, volunteer puppy walkers Gareth and Liz with black Labrador Soapy, and two local young children, Natasha and Logan, who are supported by our children and young people team. Included here are three photographs. The first is of the Earl and Countess of Wessex stroking a black Labrador puppy in training. The second and third photographs are of the Countess of Wessex cuddling and stroking a German shepherd puppy in training. New CustomEyes® book club is a meteoric success! Six children with vision impairments at a primary school in Portsmouth have launched their own reading club, called “Meteor-Eyes”. Nathan, James, Matilda, Eljay, Yuvraj and Max, from Craneswater Junior School, meet regularly to play vision-impaired sport, create tactile art, and read and share their favourite books like Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The children have different levels of vision and had support forming the group from their teaching assistant, Caz Gilmore. Caz said: “Their confidence has grown because they’ve been able to do exactly what everybody else does which makes them and me so happy!” Yuvraj, 10, says CustomEyes® books have helped him to learn alongside his classmates: “We’re just as good at maths and spelling. We’re just as good as everyone else; all we need is the right equipment!” You can find the video at www.tinyurl.com/meteoreyes. Included here is a photograph of Nathan, James, Matilda, Eljay, Yuvraj and Max holding books and jumping up in their school playground. Welcoming a different Archie Harrison into the world! In honour of the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Guide Dogs named one of its guide dog puppies Archie Harrison, after the golden retriever was born on the same day as the royal baby. By further coincidence, puppy Archie Harrison’s mum is called Winnie (as in Windsor) his grandmother is Madge (as in Majesty) tying the puppy even closer to the House of Windsor. Tricia Plenderleith, from Solihull in the West Midlands, is the devoted volunteer who looks after six-year-old Winnie, nursing her throughout her pregnancy and her litter during their first weeks of life. Tricia said: “It did feel incredibly special to celebrate a birth alongside the royal family. When both Winnie and the Duchess of Sussex’s due dates were approaching, I did wonder whether it would happen!” Included here is a photograph of guide dog puppy Archie Harrison standing in a field. Stena Line puppy A guide dog puppy with strong links to Anglesey in north Wales has returned to the island as a fully-qualified working dog. Golden retriever Storm is one of seven puppies named by the passengers and crew of the Stena Adventurer, which sails between Holyhead and Dublin. Passengers donate via two onboard collecting boxes, and each Stena puppy has been given a nautical name, such as Skipper or Bosun. Storm’s owner, Lynne, said: “This is my first guide dog and he has made a big difference to my life. It’s such a coincidence he has ended up working just 20 minutes from the port of Holyhead.” Included here is a photograph of Lynne crouching down next to her guide dog Storm. Guide Dogs in the media Kirsty Hill shared her story with Take A Break magazine over the summer. Kirsty lost her sight on the school run, when she experienced a sudden severe headache. It was a condition called reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, causing brain damage that affected her vision and memory. After months of recuperation, My Guide volunteer John Thatcher helped Kirsty to leave her house, remember her neighbourhood and regain her independence. His help was crucial to Kirsty being matched with her first guide dog, Rosa, in April. Included here is a photograph of Kirsty Hill with her yellow Labrador guide dog Rosa. We featured in an episode of the Channel 4 documentary series, The World’s Most Beautiful Railway, in September. The series followed the staff and enthusiasts who work and volunteer to safeguard Scotland’s rail network, as it crosses one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. In our episode, a group of puppy walkers took their pups to Edinburgh Waverley Station to get them used to train travel, and the station’s passenger assistance scheme was demonstrated with a guide dog owner called Paul. Included here is a drawing of a steam train with a tender, three carriages and a cow catcher on the front. Over the summer, Metro newspaper’s website and social media channels ran a series of videos about canines with very special roles, called Dogs With Jobs. Featuring police dogs, search and rescue dogs, plus other kinds of assistance dogs, the series culminated in International Dog Day on 26 August. A Metro journalist followed London team Guide Dog Trainer Sam Arnsby and guide dog puppy in training, Oakie, to find out how we train our dogs. You can still read Metro’s story by visiting www.tinyurl.com/MetroDogsWithJobs. Included here is a photograph of Guide Dog Trainer Sam Arnsby training a yellow Labrador. In August The Lady magazine updated their readers on what David, the 10,000th guide dog puppy to be bred at our National Breeding Centre, has been getting up to. An adorable photo of David as a six-week-old puppy graced the magazine’s front cover in August last year, and this latest feature marked his first birthday. David’s puppy walker, Tina, told the magazine how his personality is really starting to shine through, and he’s now maturing into a confident dog who’s ready to start formal guide dog training. Included here is a photograph of yellow Labrador David. Keith Heywood Photography. Star news Here’s the very latest on how some famous faces have been supporting Guide Dogs… Neve gets to meet her Strictly hero In November, we released a heart-warming video of young orientation and mobility service user and dancer, Neve Allen, meeting Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood. Neve, who’s 13 and a huge Strictly fan, met Craig in his dressing room before the show, to chat about their shared passion for dance. Neve also got to meet some of the dancers as they arrived for rehearsals, and showed Craig a video of her dancing. He scored her 8.5! Included here is a photograph of Neve Allen with Craig Revel Horwood. This video was the second in our Meet A Hero series, which highlights how we’re helping people with sight loss to live the life they choose. In the last instalment, teenage buddy dog owner and blind footballer, Rainbow Mbuangi, met Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford. You can find both videos on our YouTube channel. Check out Guide Dogs Ambassador and Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell in a forthcoming episode of BBC One’s Pointless Celebrities, which she recorded earlier this year. Included here is a photograph of Blue Peter presenters Lindsay Russell and Radzi Chinyanganya in the Pointless studio. Dave’s book scores at home and away Guide dog owner and former England footballer, Dave Thomas, has written his autobiography and is donating all proceeds to Guide Dogs. The book, called Guiding Me Home and Away: Dave Thomas The Autobiography, is packed with stories from his time playing professional football for teams including Everton, Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and England, plus his involvement with legends of the sport such as Dave Sexton, Don Revie, Alf Ramsey and Bill Shankly. Dave, who has glaucoma, was partnered with labrador Hannah in 2016, and has been a dedicated Guide Dogs fundraiser ever since. Included here is a photograph of the front cover of Dave Thomas’s book. Jess is in our good books! Guide Dogs Ambassador and reality TV star Jess Impiazzi visited Guide Dogs’ Central Office in June to interview Chief Executive, Tom Wright, for her forthcoming autobiography. Jess was keen to include a chapter on Guide Dogs in her book to celebrate the work we do for people like her mum Debbie. Debbie lost her sight to Uveal Effusion Syndrome but getting guide dog Casey transformed Debbie’s life, allowing her to do all the things she used to do. Jess’s book is due out next year. Included here is a photograph of Jess Impiazzi with Guide Dogs Chief Executive Tom Wright and Dolly, a black Labrador future guide dog mum. Campaigns On the campaign trail Access campaign taken to Parliament and Downing Street Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaigns by taking action online, supporting an event or spreading the word to others about them. Here’s an update of just some of our Campaigns and Public Affairs Team’s recent activities… Accelerating our Access All Areas campaign In June, 94 guide dog owners from England, Scotland and Wales met MPs, Ministers, Secretaries of State and members of the House of Lords to speak about their experiences of being turned away by businesses because of their dog. Some 244 MPs attended, more than a third of all Westminster MPs, which made this event our largest and most successful to date. The next day, the Access campaign was discussed twice in Parliament. Included here is a photograph of a guide dog owner and Scooby, his black Labrador guide dog. He’s holding up a notice which reads: “Another passenger offered to get a taxi with me after our train was cancelled, but the taxi driver said he didn’t want to take Scooby, as he had a Mercedes!” Clive Wood, Guide Dogs’ Policy and Campaigns Manager for London, said: “The lobby was a wonderful event. It was great to have so many guide dog owners in one place who were sharing their personal experiences of access refusals. I had the opportunity to meet some senior politicians including Chris Grayling MP, who was Transport Secretary, and Alok Sharma MP, who was a Minister in the Department for Work and Pensions and is now Secretary of State for International Development. Many of the politicians I spoke to were surprised to hear that many guide dog owners still experience the humiliation of access refusals from service providers.” Not stopping there, in September we visited 10 Downing Street to deliver a photobook of people telling their stories about access denials to the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. We are calling for an introduction of mandatory disability equality training for taxi and minicab drivers and, for changes that will enable equality, legislation to be more easily enforced. Included here is a photograph of four guide dog owners with their dogs (two black Labradors, a yellow Labrador and a German shepherd cross) outside Number 10 Downing Street. Calling for faster progress Last year the Government published an Inclusive Transport Strategy, which detailed a wide range of ways in which it plans to increase the accessibility of the transport network. We were delighted that a number of these plans would really benefit people with sight loss. A year on, however, we are concerned about a lack of progress against the timescales the Government has set for itself. Sign our open letter calling for progress at www.tinyurl.com/inclusivetransport. People Awards And the award goes to… In November, our Atherton training school was transformed into a stunning venue for this year’s People Awards. The awards celebrated the amazing achievements of staff, volunteers and those who use our services for their incredible contributions. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees! Service User of the Year – Megan Taylor and Rowley Megan lives with multiple disabilities but since Rowley came into her life last August, everything has changed. Rowley is the first ever Dual Purpose Assistance Dog trained by Guide Dogs and Dog A.I.D. (Assistance In Disability), so alongside his guiding duties he can help Megan with a number of additional tasks. Included here is a photograph of Megan Taylor and black Labrador Rowley in a viewing gallery at the top of a building. Overall staff members – Katie Roberts and Caroline Abraham At our annual service user conference in June, one delegate fell seriously ill and was rushed to hospital. Katie and Caroline accompanied the service user in the ambulance and stayed with her until the early hours. They both checked in on her the following morning, and continued to visit her during her stay in hospital. Without them, this service user would have been left all alone. Included here are photographs of Katie Roberts and Caroline Abraham. Overall volunteer – Carolyn Allum Carolyn is a passionate campaigner for Guide Dogs and a key player in our “Take the Lead” campaign, which focuses on dog attacks on guide dogs. She has appeared in the media, using her own personal experience after her guide dog, Ali, had to be retired prematurely due to an attack. Volunteer awards winners Open – Sue Osorio Passionate – Carolyn Allum Innovative – James Watt Newcomer – Alex Pepper Group – Volunteer Drivers (North West Regional Centre) Young Volunteer – Isabella Hadden Service user awards winners Inspirational Person of the Year Angharad Megan Paget Jones and guide dog Tudor Guide Dog of the Year Rowley with owner Megan Taylor My Guide Partnership of the Year Rik Jones and Louise Johnston Inspiring Young Person of the Year Theo Harvey Staff awards winners Open – John Garrett and Penny Hefferan Passionate – Katie Roberts and Caroline Abraham Innovative – Rebecca Harper Dedication – Helen Sismore Partnerships – Walk Your Socks Off Team Unsung Hero – Forfar Friday Contributors Name a puppy Naming a puppy reaches new heights A Birmingham paraclimber, who’s deaf and blind, has raised enough money to name a guide dog puppy after a mountain he climbed. In 2015 John Churcher became the first person with sight loss to reach the summit of the Eiger, a 13,000-foot mountain in Switzerland. Shortly afterwards he set himself a new challenge of raising £2,500 to name a guide dog puppy after the mountain he conquered, and this year he reached his target. John, who competes both nationally and internationally for the GB Paraclimbing team, said: “I chose to support Guide Dogs because my own guide dog helped me to train for the climb through walking and helping me to get to climbing walls.” John raised the money by holding coffee mornings and doing car boot sales, with the support of his wife, Anne. He also ran the Birmingham International Marathon in 2017 to raise funds. Included here is a photograph of golden retriever guide dog puppy, Eiger. Couple Chris Blakey and Shelly Coyne are currently puppy walking Duke, named by The Kilpatrick Fraser Charitable Trust. We caught up with Shelly, who told us about her experience. How long have you been a puppy walker? Four years. Duke is our fourth special puppy. What does an average day entail? Most days we visit the park and then Duke will nap at my feet while I study. At home, he loves playing with his toys and sitting in his favourite spot by the window. What do you like most about Duke and what sets him apart? Duke is so affectionate and loves a cuddle! He’s our first puppy sponsored through Name a Puppy. What is Duke currently learning? We are continuing to work on Duke’s recall, which is pretty good now. What do you like best about your role? Meeting so many people. He’s very sociable, like me! To name a puppy, get in touch with Guide Dogs’ Name a Puppy team by emailing nameapuppy@guidedogs.org.uk. Included here is a photograph of Shelly Coyne and yellow Labrador guide dog puppy Duke in a field. STEP in action Creating guide dog partnerships that last In the last edition of Forward, we brought you an update about the progress of our Standardised Training for Excellent Partnerships (STEP) training programme. Here, we interview Tim Stafford, Guide Dogs’ Services Director for Canine Assisted Services. What first drew you to Guide Dogs? I’ve always been fascinated by the bond between animals and humans, how the trust develops, and just how much both parties get out of the partnership. When I left college I applied to a range of animal and dog training organisations – and Guide Dogs wrote back! What’s your current role? I’m the Services Director for Canine Assisted Services (CAS). It’s my job to continually develop our methods and services, and identify where we can improve, balancing that against producing successful partnerships. We do this by listening – to our customers, our volunteers and our staff, and we treat our dogs as partners in our work. That might sound indulgent, but when you see a guide dog training or working and really watch what’s going on, you can see that it’s a true partnership, and that’s the bit which inspires me the most. What are the biggest developments in CAS at the moment? One of the main focuses for me over the last couple of years has been developing our Standardised Training for Excellent Partnerships programme, or STEP. I know we have talked about this in Forward before, but to recap – it’s our way of teaching our dogs all the behaviours they will need as working guide dogs. STEP brings together our expertise from providing a world-class guide dog service with all our Positive Reinforcement Techniques (PRT) – this is the principle that you reward the behaviour you want to see repeated, and the dog will naturally want to do more of that. PRT has been proven globally and is used to train all kinds of animals. For us, it results in happy, confident dogs, and we’re finding that both dogs and owners are really enjoying their training together. What’s next? Puppy walking is so important – the experiences a pup has in its early life have a huge influence on its future. Through the rest of this year we are finalising our Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme, which we’ve built to share with staff and volunteers who work with our pups up to the point at which they come into training. PREP teaches our pups the life skills they need to be confident, well-adjusted dogs and will give them the best possible preparation for STEP. PREP teaches our pups the language of PRT, so that when they come into formal training they understand what they are being asked, and how things work. PREP is also an investment in our dedicated Puppy Walkers. They do an amazing job in raising our pups and they deserve the best and most up-to-date methods and support, which is what PREP will provide. What do we need to work on? We do face some challenges – partly because we deal with animals and people and they are individuals, and partly because Guide Dogs is always evolving to identify and adopt the best ways of working. One of the challenges this year has been that we have had more puppies at walk than usual, and that hasn’t matched the number of training staff available. There are several reasons for this, including some large litters, which we can’t control, and resourcing, which we can. We are recruiting more training staff every year for the next four years. They go through extensive training, but they are working with our guide dog partnerships, so a world-class training programme is a given! Our guide dog service attracts strong demand from people with sight loss and the most important thing is creating a partnership that lasts. The current average waiting time for a guide dog is 11 months and we are working hard to improve this. Some people need a specific breed of dog, or a dog that can work in complex environments or undertake additional tasks. We are proud of the partnerships we create to support people who use wheelchairs, need the extra skills of a hearing dog or one that can alert their owners to the risk of a seizure. We are pairing two personalities who will rely on each other for years, so our teams spend a lot of time considering the best matches – it’s such an individual process. What makes Guide Dogs unique? I vividly remember seeing my first ever partnership doing their initial independent walk, and a huge feeling of pride in what I’d helped to create. That’s still true – and whether you are training the partnership, volunteering, designing a new way of working or raising the funds, you are part of making that partnership happen. We ask a lot of our staff, and they and our volunteers do a fantastic job. I see so much expertise, creativity and willingness at work, and as a management team it’s our job to provide the best environment to let that flourish. Included here are four photographs. The first is of Tim Stafford, wearing an open-necked shirt. The second and third photographs are of dogs being trained with a toy and a treat. The final photograph is of a guide dog puppy standing next to a guide dog mobility instructor. Brand campaign Harnessing the power of description to tell the world about Guide Dogs In the spring/summer 2019 edition of Forward magazine, we told you about our ambitious plans to support more people with sight loss, as part of our By My Side strategy to take us to 2023. We said that to achieve our goals, people with sight loss should learn about the wider services we offer, and it’s also important that the public have heard of us, understand and love our work, and want to help us by volunteering or donating. This September, following on from our first campaign in March, we launched the second campaign which aimed to meet these goals. Using a number of different ways, we wanted to shift the way the public think about sight loss by making an emotional connection, helping them understand that the people affected are just like them in every other way. To kick start the awareness, we decided to air our hugely popular TV advert, narrated by Dame Julie Walters, this time also running it in cinemas to coincide with the film version of Downton Abbey. The advert shows guide dog owner Alex Pepper standing at the side of a football pitch while his young daughter plays for her local team. We were able to reach more than 32 million viewers in total across more than 3,500 ad breaks, in programmes such as Britain’s Got Talent – The Champions, Coronation Street and Sanditon. We also carried on the theme of promoting My Guide by creating a two-part “celebrity My Guide” video series, starring top chef Ainsley Harriott and Alex Pepper, who cooked up a storm for our social media channels. The series showcased our My Guide service while exploring the pair’s shared passion for food, and illustrated the importance of description; a dying art that is fundamental in helping the sight loss community enjoy and participate in life’s best moments. In the first instalment, Ainsley used sighted guiding techniques to take Alex through his local market to pick up key ingredients for their cooking session, discussing smells and sounds as they went. In the second instalment, Ainsley taught Alex how to make a signature dish and we saw how the power of description, and the language Ainsley used, enhanced Alex’s cooking experience. Included here are two photographs. The first photograph is of Ainsley Harriott and Alex Pepper at a street market, holding fruit. The second is of Alex stirring a pot on a stove as Ainsley holds the lid. The videos proved very popular, with more than 3.5 million Facebook and Twitter views. They were also shared by celebrities including BBC Saturday Kitchen Live’s Matt Tebbutt, MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace, and former Atomic Kitten and foodie Liz McClarnon. The cooking video was posted on The Daily Mirror’s Facebook page, which has 3.1 million followers. To help bring the impact of our My Guide service to life, we decided to focus on one of its core components – description. We wanted to shine a spotlight on how words and description can enrich everyone’s life, not least those with sight loss. Our research found that more than two in three people believe that vocabulary has been limited by modern communication methods such as social media channels. Three in five people told us they often used emojis, GIFs (short, soundless looped videos) and memes (images overlaid with text) rather than words to communicate. We wanted to encourage audiences to put their words and descriptive powers to good use by becoming a My Guide volunteer and so released these statistics to the media. The story was covered by more than 200 media outlets from all over the country. Given our theme of words and the power of description, Countdown’s Susie Dent also got involved in the campaign. She joined forces with Guide Dogs’ own engagement officer and guide dog owner Dave Kent to take the research to the airwaves. The pair took part in a whopping 22 radio interviews with Dave’s guide dog Chad relaxing in the radio studio as well! We also wanted to get across what good description meant to different people with sight loss, so Guide Dogs’ Clive Wood and service users Sassy Wyatt, Mariza Jürgens and the Whalley family kindly took part in a thought-provoking video for our social channels. Each discussed the importance of words and description to their lives and we again featured a call to action to volunteer as a My Guide. The video received more than half a million views across Twitter and Facebook, and was shared by celebrities including Gary Lineker, Stephen Fry, Michaela Strachan, Clare Balding, Julia Bradbury, The Archers’ Tim Bentinck, Chris Packham, Nick Hewer, Jess Impiazzi, Gail Porter and Wendi Peters. To help support all these elements of the campaign, we launched our new website. We made it much easier to use, especially the volunteering section, as this was one of the campaign’s main focuses. And as we’d hoped, we saw a large increase in the number of new volunteers signing up to help us. Our services section revamp was successful, too, with the campaign driving huge amounts of CustomEyes® book orders. This has been an excellent second phase of our long-term plan to raise Guide Dogs’ profile as a charity, and early results indicate it was again successful in helping us connect with the general public. The latest campaign has seen an increase in enquiries from people with sight loss and our largest ever number of volunteer applications in one week. We have new, exciting plans for next year’s campaign, so check for updates! Included here are five photographs. The first is of the Whalley family, dad Roger with his son and his daughter Josie, who has sight loss. The second is of Clive Wood, Guide Dogs’ Policy and Campaigns Manager and his black Labrador guide dog, Winnie. The third is of guide dog owner Sassy Wyatt and her black Labrador guide dog Ida. The fourth is of lexicographer Susie Dent, from the television programme Countdown. The final photograph is of My Guide service user Mariza Jürgens. Case study Priya’s story Priya, from south-west London, has dealt with constant sight loss challenges throughout her life. It began in primary school when her teachers noticed she couldn’t read the blackboard – and she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa which particularly affected her central vision. She received limited support in school and taught herself strategies to get through each day. By the time she became a teenager, Priya’s general vision had started deteriorating too. She struggled to make eye contact with people across a room, which affected her confidence. Priya developed a passion for art and became a professional sculptor in her early 20s. It didn’t pay well but she had no other way of earning a living, unlike her friends who worked extra shifts in bars and restaurants. Then a friend suggested that she train to be a counsellor, because she was an excellent listener. Priya took their advice and applied for a postgraduate diploma in psychotherapy. She was the first person at her college with a vision impairment and the staff didn’t know how to accommodate her needs. There was so much reading to do before each seminar which Priya found impossible, but she eventually found a solution by getting the papers recorded onto tape for her to listen to. It was equally difficult to complete her written dissertation with no computers but Priya overcame the odds and qualified as a psychotherapist. After her daughter Lucy was born, Priya faced the next challenge of adjusting to life as a new mum with a vision impairment. She felt extremely anxious leaving the house by herself with a pram, and her increased sight loss was making it harder to safely judge distances. So, when Lucy started walking, Priya decided it was time to learn how to use a long cane. She’d spent her life up to that point trying to manage and conceal her vision impairment, and had to come to terms with her new identity of being a blind person with a cane. She says: “I think it was the hardest time for me emotionally, but I knew I had to do this for my daughter’s sake.” Once she’d become comfortable using a cane, Priya applied for a guide dog, as she felt this would give her more freedom. She was working from home after Lucy started school and felt quite lonely at times. She fondly remembers: “When I was partnered with my first dog, Wilf, it was love at first sight! I remember feeling quite nervous about the training and being able to trust a dog to guide me around safely. But I didn’t need to worry as Wilf was brilliant. “He gave me the confidence to go out more and do everyday things, like picking Lucy up from school. I never wanted her to feel responsible for looking after me and since I’ve had guide dogs, she can concentrate on living her own life as a young woman.” Wilf became a much-loved member of the family and stayed with them after he retired. Priya and her current guide dog, Sidney, have been together for five years and developed a strong bond. Having a guide dog has enabled her to take on the role of managing a counselling service. They walk to work and to the park, use public transport across London, and go to yoga and dance classes. “It’s quite incredible what Sidney can do,” said Priya. “I wouldn’t go out without him as his guiding is completely essential.” Priya’s daughter Lucy said: “It’s amazing to have a guide dog in our family – Sidney is a pivotal part of all our lives. He’s a great companion for mum and gives her the confidence to navigate new environments that would otherwise have been too challenging.” Priya agrees: “Having a guide dog is a life-changing experience and I’m phenomenally grateful to Guide Dogs for enabling me to be more independent.” Included here are nine photographs. The first photograph is of Priya walking in a London street next to a park. The second photograph is of Priya lying on a yoga mat in a gym, with yellow Labrador guide dog Sidney lying next to the mat. The third photograph is of Sidney and Priya waiting at a kerb. The fourth and fifth photographs are of Priya and Sidney waiting at a bus stop. The sixth photograph is of Sidney guiding Priya along a city pavement. The seventh and eighth photographs are of Priya and Sidney in the gym. The final photograph is of Priya walking through a park. Legacies Your Guiding Star can truly light up someone’s life We think of guide dogs as guiding stars – helping their owners live the life they choose. This Christmas, we’d like to invite you to take part in our Guiding Stars appeal by dedicating a star in memory of a loved one. The stars will be hung on Christmas trees at five of our Guide Dogs centres around the UK. This is a lovely way to remember a cherished person or pet at this special time of year, while helping transform the lives of people with sight loss. Donations to our Guiding Stars appeal will be used to breed, name and train a new guide dog puppy. Last year’s Guiding Stars appeal raised funds for a gorgeous golden retriever puppy, Chris, who is now with his puppy walker, Pat. We are also delighted to report that 2015’s pup, Joy, has been partnered with first-time guide dog owner Margaret for more than eight months. A pivotal moment for Margaret was when they were crossing a road and Joy suddenly stopped because an electric car passed by which Margaret couldn’t hear – she knew then that she could totally trust her “beautiful” Joy. You can dedicate a star in memory of a loved one this Christmas by calling 0800 953 0113 and we will send you a Guiding Stars pack. Included here is a photograph of a yellow Labrador guide dog puppy, surrounded by gold tinsel and star decorations. Children and Young People’s Services Josie’s story Within 24 hours of birth, Josie Whalley had had a stroke. The doctors couldn’t tell her parents, Roger and Melanie, what damage it might have caused but warned that Josie might not be able to walk, talk or see. “Not knowing how she’d develop was awful,” said Roger. This was a particularly difficult time for the family as they didn’t know where to find support, but a friend recommended Guide Dogs. Roger spoke to education support officer, John Turnbull, who helped him apply for an Education Health and Care Plan to ensure Josie gets the support she needs at school. John said: “Roger is now able to make choices on his own because he knows what Josie is entitled to, and we’ve helped empower him to go into education meetings and ask the right questions.” Roger added: “Josie’s confidence has improved so much since we found out about Guide Dogs’ services. Now we have the freedom to ask for advice and strategies that can make life easier. It means we can focus on being a family.” Included here is a photograph of Josie Whalley playing on a swing. Find out more at www.guidedogs.org.uk/cyp, or call us on 0800 781 1444. Volunteering Volunteer Impact Assessment – the results are in… A big thank you to the 2,931 volunteers and 302 staff who completed Guide Dogs’ third Volunteer Impact Assessment (VIA). We want to make sure the time dedicated by our 16,000 volunteers is well supported and is the most effective it can be. The purpose of this research is to understand their contribution and what the volunteering experience is like for volunteers and for staff. We were pleased to see that: * 82% of volunteers rated their communication from Guide Dogs as good or excellent and when asked about preferred channels, there was high interest in national e-newsletters and Volunteer Information Point (our volunteer intranet). * 71% of volunteers would strongly recommend volunteering for Guide Dogs, an increase of 67% in 2017. One challenge is: * 87% of volunteers feel their supervisor values their contribution (up 5%) compared to 62% who feel the organisation values their contribution (down 5%). Over the next few months we will be developing action plans at a local, regional and national level, informed by this feedback. To find out more about what’s happening near you, please contact your local team who will put you in touch with your local Volunteer Voices representative. This project would not have been possible without all the volunteers and staff who have supported, analysed and shaped the assessment – a big thank you to you all. If you are interested in donating your time to Guide Dogs through volunteering please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or call our friendly Volunteering Office on 0345 143 0191. “Made some fantastic memories and hopefully have contributed to a very deserving cause along the way.” – Events Day Assistant, Fundraiser “I love sharing stories about my dog and informing the public how she has changed my life. I enjoy being a speaker and telling my personal story.” – Speaker “The work the guide and assistance dogs do is amazing and I am proud to be a volunteer.” – Fundraiser A day in the life of… Training and Behaviour Advisor Merry Martin It’s clear that Merry loves working with dogs. He had worked at both the RSPCA and Dogs Trust as a rehoming officer before joining Guide Dogs, first in the kennels and then as a Guide Dog Trainer within the Central Midlands Mobility Team in Leamington. A year ago, he became one of our Training and Behaviour Advisors, who are supporting the roll-out of our training programme STEP (Standardised Training for Excellent Partnerships). “It’s great to be involved in something that’s having such a positive effect on our guide dogs,” he says, “and a real privilege to be at the forefront of what’s going on.” Merry’s role is to train and provide ongoing support to staff in the STEP programme – and that’s not just the guide dog trainers and mobility instructors. He explains: “It includes staff who work directly with the dogs, desk-based colleagues, and volunteers, as everything has to be in keeping with the STEP programme. For example, a dog might be spending time in the office and the staff there need to know the right way to settle the dog.” At the moment, Merry is taking two guide dog mobility instructors and their trainee guide dogs through the STEP programme. Key to this new way of training is the use of the “clicker”, which the trainer uses to tell the dog when it has performed the correct behaviour, and a more structured use of food rewards. Merry uses a combination of coaching and demonstration to show the trainers the steps involved. He says: “Each session is a bit like circuit training. We set lots of behaviours for the dogs, for example loose lead walking, indicating a kerb, settling – and they all complete a few minutes on each. “Food manners are very important, so we have to teach the dogs how to behave around food, especially when someone has a food pouch.” Merry relishes the variety of the role, although it can be a challenge to fit everything into his day. He says: “I love being able to work with so many people who share a passion for training both people and dogs.” Included here are two photographs. The first is of Merry Martin and a yellow Labrador guide dog puppy in training. The second is of a labradoodle guide dog puppy training on an obstacle course. Thank you to our supporters Dear supporters, The end of 2019 is nearly upon us, and I hope the year has been kind to you and those you love. These pages are a brilliant way for me to thank each and every one of you who has taken the time, care and effort to raise funds for our wonderful charity. Without you, we couldn’t continue our work to make sure that people with sight loss are independent, get the most out of everyday life and feel confident about their future. This edition’s crop of fundraisers seem like a particularly energetic bunch. Jacqui Fenton-Collins did a 10k run, Wayne Pugh climbed a mountain, and Christian Hyde and Shona Black cycled their respective ways to fantastic fundraising success. However you raised money for Guide Dogs this year, we’re grateful for your contribution. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Maria Novell Director of Fundraising Being partnered with guide dog Happy has meant that Jacqui Fenton-Collins was able to complete her studies in London and they both attended the ceremony to receive her Master’s degree. Wanting to give something back to Guide Dogs, and despite not having done any running before, Jacqui decided to run the Active World 10k in St Albans. She was delighted to complete the race and raised £500. Included here is a photograph of Jacqui Fenton-Collins in her ceremony robes with yellow Labrador guide dog Happy. The Paglesham Clay Pigeon Club are supporting Guide Dogs this year and presented Southend and District fundraising group with a cheque for £7,500. Included here is a photograph of the Paglesham Clay Pigeon Club presenting a cheque to Guide Dogs. Congratulations to our team of staff, supporters and guide dog owner Shona Black, who took part in Ride the North, raising over £3,000. Covering 173 miles over two days, the route featured the beautiful backroads of North East Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park. Included here is a photograph of staff, supporters and Shona Black after completing their ride. Members of the Kidderminster fundraising group were pleased to receive a cheque for £2,000 from Martin Stooke, the retiring Mayor of Kidderminster. Included here is a photograph of members of the Kidderminster fundraising group receiving a cheque from the Mayor of Kidderminster, Martin Stooke. Twice each year, Freemasons from across Devon meet to give support to local charities, donating money from a trust fund. In May, members of the Plymouth and District fundraising group attended a presentation where they received a cheque for £1,250 from the Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP. Included here is a photograph of members of the Plymouth and District fundraising group receiving a cheque from the Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP. A golf day at Drumoig in St Andrews, Scotland, in August raised more than £17,000. The winning team came from Rowallan Golf Club in Ayrshire. Danny Rooney, St Andrew’s Fundraising Group Coordinator and puppy walker said: “After nine years of organising the golf day it still amazes me how generous people are towards Guide Dogs, and we are so grateful.” Included here is a photograph of the winning team of four from Rowallan Golf Club. Guide Dogs’ South Bucks fundraising group was the first charity to be invited to meet and greet people at Milton’s Cottage in Chalfont St Giles. It was particularly appropriate because John Milton, after whom the cottage was named and who wrote the epic poem Paradise Lost, became blind in his later years. They raised £413. Included here is a photograph of Guide Dogs volunteers at Milton’s Cottage. Staff at the Cardiff office of law firm Blake Morgan are on course to name a guide dog puppy after choosing Guide Dogs Cymru as their charity of the year until May 2021. Eve Piffaretti, Head of Blake Morgan in Wales, said: “Our aim is not only to raise funds, but to engage and educate our team on the issues around living with sight loss, as well as providing them with volunteering opportunities.” Included here is a photograph of staff from Blake Morgan and guide dog owners with their dogs (a golden retriever and a yellow Labrador) outside the office. Guide dog owner Wayne Pugh, together with his support team, climbed Ben Nevis in August, taking 7.5 hours to reach the summit. Wayne wants to raise enough to name a guide dog after his own guide dog, Vince, and so far has raised £4,200. He said: “I absolutely loved it! It was painful, and hard work, and there were points where I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do it, but the fantastic team kept me going.” Included here is a photograph of Wayne Pugh at the top of Ben Nevis. A concert featuring BBC National Choir of the Year 2016, Voices of Hope, at St Mary’s Church in Ponteland, Northumberland, in September raised £1,000 for Guide Dogs and £400 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The event was organised by Newcastle Team volunteer, June Atkinson, and Hearing Dogs volunteer Margaret Pearson. Included here is a photograph of the concert at St Mary’s Church. Former referee Christian Hyde, who lost his sight overnight, completed an 80-mile tandem ride around all four Welsh rugby regions in a day. He and pilot Andrew Price-Stephens visited the home grounds of the Scarlets, Ospreys, Blues and Dragons, even cycling down the tunnel at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The 14-hour marathon will help to name a puppy after Christian’s retired guide dog, Sasha. Included here is a photograph of Christian Hyde and Andrew Price-Stephens on their tandem bike. Ten-year-old Lewis Johnston from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, has raised an incredible £1,500 for Guide Dogs. Lewis was inspired to fundraise after a chance encounter with a guide dog owner near his home. So impressed with how the dog helped the owner, Lewis decided to take on a 16-mile sponsored walk with his family, which took five hours to complete. Included here is a photograph of Lewis Johnston and a German shepherd cross puppy in training. The Kilted Christmas Tree Company is supporting Guide Dogs by donating £5 from each Christmas tree sold online, and from their Guide Dogs wreaths. Guide Dogs is very close to the heart of owner Alan Dalziel, as his late aunt was a guide dog owner. Alan aims to raise £50,000, and hopes to name a guide dog puppy for someone like his aunt, who has been affected by sight loss. Included here is a photograph of Alan Dalziel with Guide Dogs volunteers and two guide dog puppies in training (a black Labrador and a golden retriever). Guide Dogs Appeal Thank you for making Pups to Partnerships possible! This October, we launched our first month-long Guide Dogs Appeal and it was truly an amazing celebration of everything we do to support people with sight loss. Throughout the month, new and existing supporters from all over the UK got involved by donating an hour of their time, fundraising for us, or donating towards our target of £420,000 – the lifetime cost of seven guide dog partnerships. A huge THANK YOU to every single one of you who got involved. As well as highlighting the importance of our services, we began following the journeys of our seven appeal puppies: Harry, Prue, Jamie, Sandra, Cookie, Anthony and Declan. Puppies Ant and Dec even got to learn more about what makes a great partnership when meeting their namesakes, iconic TV stars Ant and Dec! Speaking of the partnership, Ant said: “We’re so proud to be part of the Pups to Partnerships campaign; not only do we get to meet these adorable puppies but we also get to hear about the great work that Guide Dogs does.” Included here is a photograph of Ant and Dec holding puppies Ant and Dec, who are touching noses. As we tot up the total raised, we wanted to share a few highlights: We attempted a Guinness World Record for the World’s BIGGEST ever dog photoshoot at Warwick Racecourse, with more than 558 dogs. Sadly, we didn’t make the record, but we hope you will join us in the future when we have another go! In Wales, Arriva Buses Wales placed collection buckets on more than 100 vehicles. They are hoping to raise £5,000 to name a second guide dog puppy after their first puppy, Riva, proved a big hit with staff and passengers! In Kent, hundreds of supporters took part in the annual Big Dog Walk at Leeds Castle. Following a 2.5-mile route through the beautiful grounds, which would normally be out of bounds for dogs, the walkers raised just over £3,000. Included here are three photographs. The first is of the dog photoshoot at Warwick Racecourse. The second is of a guide dog puppy in training sitting on an Arriva Bus. The final photograph is of dogs and owners on the Big Dog Walk at Leeds Castle. Thank you again to everyone who got involved! Your support is helping us to make even more Pups to Partnerships possible. Forward qualifiers for period: 1 Apr 2019 to 31 Aug 2019 New partnerships are listed by community team. Each listing details owner, guide dog, town, breed, puppy walker, brood bitch holder and boarder. Warm congratulations to all our new qualifiers. Belfast Stephen Campbell & Nemo from Cookstown LxGR George & Carole Stryker from Rosyth * Claire Webster from Sutton Coldfield. Colm Glover & Obie from Belfast STPxL John & Gus Davidson from Lockerbie * Cath Pedreschi from Evesham. Mr & Mrs Landsberg from Milton Keynes. Mary Hutcheson & Quando from Belfast GRxL Amanda Smith from Arbroath * Pamela Moody from Leicester. Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Steve & Ruth McEwan-Lyon from Holywood. Katie McCloud & Una from Bangor GRxL Jean Richardson from Dalgety Bay * John Wylie & Micky from Magherafelt GRxL Liz Jones from Aboyne * Lesley Reddy from Warwick. Caryn Young & Piper from Ballymena GRxL Ricky & Linda Whitehead from Broxburn * Caroline Butler from Evesham. Mr & Mrs Richard & Karen Hambleton from Carrickfergus. Birmingham Ann Baker & Pluto from Birmingham LxGR Sharon Simmonds from Lutterworth * Linda Mallette from Worcester. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Mr Oliver Drain from Birmingham. Ricky Brennan & Penny from Birmingham GSD Paula Carr from Dursley * Jake Coles & Jeffers from Lincoln GR * Lorna Latham from Evesham. Elizabeth Cuthbertson & Jingle from Worcester LxGR Jessica Powell from Worcester, Judith Lowe from Stourbridge * Jessica Powell from Worcester. Michael Gee & Gareth from Watlington GSD Bob & June Owen from Solihull * Jacqueline Webb from Wolverhampton. Ray Greenall & Inde from Hereford GRxL Leonora Tromans from Kidderminster * Margaret Lyson-Marshall from Southam. Mr Sam Smith from Birmingham. John Irvine & Omega from Worcester L Anthony & Susan Stobart from Solihull * Anthony & Susan Stobart from Solihull. Mr Gavin Trotman from Birmingham. Jerry Johnson & Humbug from Birmingham LxGR David & Susan Miller from Plymouth * Miss Maggie Wheatley from Leamington Spa. Sheila Murray & Legacy from Cirencester GR * Stephen Read from Birmingham. Mr Gerard Belfield from Birmingham. Penelope Orger & Hoys from Stroud GRxL Dianne Wilkinson from Tamworth * Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa. Mrs John & Emma Newcombe from Cradley Heath. Louise Rounds & Axel from Cirencester GRxGSD Michael & Freda Gabriel from Tewkesbury, Beryl Higgins from Tewkesbury * Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Mr Andrew Campbell from Warwick. Keith Russell & Tigger from Nuneaton L Sheila Hemming from Evesham * Gail Winnett from Birmingham. Ms Wendy Medlicott from Coventry. Anthony Seeley & Penny from Birmingham LxGR Katherine Partridge from Pershore * Linda Mallette from Worcester. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Adrian Snelgrove & Crumble from Hereford LxGR Pamela Lines from Northampton * Andrea Kane from Leamington Spa. Jolyon Thomson & Melody from London L Seema Shelat from Redditch * Cardiff Patricia Allcock & Blake from Pontypool GR Anthony Chamberlain from Taunton * Stephen Read from Birmingham. Mr Alan Henderson & Paula Barraclough-Fox from Leamington Spa. Calum Briars & Dorie from Bargoed L Bernadette Hughes from Budleigh Salterton * Lucy Anne Chandler from Gloucester. Ms Wendy Medlicott from Coventry. Mr Alan Henderson & Paula Barraclough-Fox from Leamington Spa Alison Corp & Toffee from Ammanford LxGR Cass Gompels from Bristol * Gary Denyer & Rufus from Tredegar GR Peter Simms from Abertillery * Alison Nuttall from Redditch. Mr Andrew Rees from Cardiff. Rhiannon Edwards & Bailey from Beaumaris GSD Patrick Hartery from Barry * Nigel Mark Evans & Bobby from Swansea L Lee Blanning from Pontypool * Diane Nicol from Henley In Arden. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Alan Garner & Bailey from Swansea GRxL Julia Marshall from Southampton * Lorraine Johnson from Market Harborough. Mrs Nicola Hadley from Leamington Spa. Michael Hall & Alfie from Abergele GRxL Isobel Cooper from Bristol * Joanne Bass from Nuneaton. Mrs Jane Swain from Hinckley. Gill Jones & Ossie from Rhyl GRxL Caroline Thomas from Bristol * Mr Andrew Powell from Kenilworth. Anthony John Moore & Timber from Cardiff LxGR Michael & Freda Gabriel from Tewkesbury * Paul Dodd from Ross-on-Wye. Mrs Pamela Griffiths from Coventry. Sophie Strawbridge & Woody from Swansea LxGR * Karl & Susan Griffiths from Derby. Mr Paul Sharp from Coventry. Mrs Sue Phillips from Cardiff. Coventry David Backshell & Henry from Countesthorpe GR Pat Wilkinson from Rugby * Philip Maycock from Bromsgrove. Mr Andi Dunn from Leamington Spa. Giuseppe Brida & Happy from Loughborough LxGR Edward & Ruth Reeves from Worcester * Robin Christopherson & Hugo from Warwick GRxL Shreeti & Natasha Palan from Leicester * Emma Watson from Leamington Spa. Mr Philip And Alison Tonkin from Leamington Spa. Brian Dowling & Sonny from Melton Mowbray LxGR Carrianne Nutt from Exmouth * Mrs Geraldine Barrott from Leamington Spa. Benjamin Johnson & Teddy from Leicester GRxL Helen Partridge from Coventry * Trudy Evans from Coventry. Miss Barbara Sowerby & John Stanton Sowerby from Coventry. Brian Kerrigan & Roxy from Coventry GRxL Patricia Storer from Hinckley * Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa. Mr John & Sian Gulliver from Leamington Spa. Leigh Pick & Geoffrey from Melton Mowbray GRxL Cherrie Russell from Bedworth, Tony Jose from Woodhall Spa * Christina Sibbald from Wantage. Mr & Miss Tom & Amy Griffith/Levis from Wolston. Jane Thompson & Barton from Northampton GR Alison Pemberton from Evesham * Lorna Latham from Evesham. Mr Richard Phalp from Leamington Spa. Adrian Wright & Barny from Rugby L Bridget Heil from South Molton * Kathryn Holt from Abingdon. Mr Kevin Taylor from Warwick. Miss Jacqui Roe from Kenilworth. Edinburgh Iain Barker & Ulric from Haddington GRxGR Ian & Ann Carnachan from Bangor * Jonathan Gadsby from Coventry. Mrs Anne Cameron Batty from Edinburgh. Clifford Beevers & Ozzy from Edinburgh STPxL Nancy Taylor from Kilmarnock * Cath Pedreschi from Evesham. Mr & Mrs Landsberg from Milton Keynes. Ms Emma Taylor from Edinburgh. Kerry Biss & Vixen from Armadale GRxGSD Carol McWatt from Port Seton * Sheena Kemp from Atherstone. Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Sandra Black & Bonnie from Inverness LxGR Graeme & Hazel Danskin from Edinburgh * Alison Nuttall from Redditch. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Victoria Mary Bubb & Lulu from Perth GRxL Barbara Watson from Montrose * Miss Karen Dear from Forfar. Natalia Ciosek & Innes from Aberdeen L Angus Reid from Dundee * Jane Knifton from Leamington Spa. 1. Mr Paul Sharp from Coventry. 2. Miss Pamela-May Grant from Forfar. Jean Dickinson & Buster from Banff GRxL Lynne Pearce from Invergowrie * Eileen Diplacito & Darcy from Leven GRxL Vez & Elizabeth Wyroslawski from Bathgate. * Kay Smith from Brechin. Samantha Donaldson & Jumble from Perth GRxL Maggie Dundas from Currie * Caroline Butler from Evesham. Mr Kevin Brown from Perth. Ian Drysdale & Lynton from Edinburgh L Rosiaina Hughes from Elgin * Linda Langman from Milton Keynes. Brenda Ewen & Nessie from Banchory LxGR John & Margaret Reid from Laurencekirk * Joyce Bartlett from Rugby. Kevin Henderson & Edi from Kirkcaldy LxGR Gordon Henderson from Edinburgh * Mrs Pauline Belton & Norman Fish from Didcot. Marjory Hughes & Kim from Forfar GRxGR William & Christine Gordon from Newtownards * John Rogers from Bromsgrove. Mrs Wendy Milne from Forfar. Elaine Mackenzie & Tessy from Edinburgh GRxGR Simon & Alison Barrett from Stonehaven * Catherine Waddell from Redditch. Mr Ewen Wilkie from Forfar. Mr Philip Browne from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Wendy McHugh & Spirit from Dundee GRxGR Olivia Bailey from Edinburgh * Ingrid Moss from Warwick. Joseph Moan & Rigby from Polmont GRxGSD Orrlene McMillen from Bangor * Rosemary Jackson from Leamington Spa. Harry Gordon Murray & Dawn from Aberdeen GRxLEdward & Helen Millar from Livingston * Angela Sirrell & Jeeves from Livingston GRxL Hugh & Jane Begg from Dundee * Mrs Lesley Cromar from Forfar. Neil Skene & Poppy from Inverurie LxGR Catherine Craig from Newtownabbey * Sharn Woodgate from Chipping Norton. John Taylor & Gulliver from Stevenston GR Daniel Rooney from St. Andrews * Dawn Parsons from Wallingford. Colin Murray from Forfar. Valerie Wares & Jorja from Scone LxGR Andrea Clark from Kinross * Sheila Northover from Derby. Mrs Maria Harvey from Shipston-on-Stour. Exeter Mark Ball & Ice from Bristol L Caroline Revell from Langport * Yvonne Gunn from Banbury. Mr Paul Sharp from Coventry. Ms Liza Page from Exeter. John Bradshaw & Carter from Sherborne GRXL Jane Newton from Clevedon. * Claire Aluko from Northampton. Mr Nick Coull from Exeter. Ray Brooker & Jagger from Minehead LxGR John & Maggie Garland from Clevedon * Regina Cardo from Kingswinford. Miss Sarah Martin from Exeter. Allison Buckham & Joker from Isle of Wight GSD David & Janice Nash from Bristol * Joe Bourne from Nuneaton. Cindy Callender & Zoe from Plymouth L Ellen Holt from Tewkesbury * Mr & Mrs Day from Droitwich. John Carruthers & Gryffin from Wrexham L Roger & Angie Allen from Bristol. * Steve Parsons from Cirencester. Leslie Castle & Iggy from Torquay L Tony Michael from Bristol. * Yvonne Gunn from Banbury. Mr Paul Sharp from Coventry. Sarah Clare & Honey from Bristol GRxL Chris & Jane Warden & Poole from Ilminster * Christina Sibbald from Wantage. Steve Cook & Raven from Saltash GRxGSD Janet Steyn from Plymouth. * Rosemary Jackson from Leamington Spa. David Crisp & Urwin from Taunton GR Anne Skinner from Wells * Julie Lloyd from Tamworth. Mr Martin Oliver from Warwick. Sherina Dix & Jasper from Clevedon LxGR Peter & Tracey Krausa from Stonehouse * Jessica Powell from Worcester. Miss Joanne Winter from Newton Abbot. George Drysdale & Fabian from Bristol GSD Lynda Moore from Plymouth * Jessica Elliott & Winnie from Radstock L Mervyn & Denise Baldwin from Paignton * Susan Hollis from Worcester. Mrs Nila Ross from Exeter. Kelly Ganfield & Archie from Trowbridge GRxL Ashley & Debbie Leeds from Sidmouth * Emma Emms from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Mr & Mrs Claire & Ian Cobbold from Leamington Spa. John Green & Elvis from Illfracombe GRxGSD Victoria Hurst from Bristol * Alexandra Willetts from Worcester. Faith Griffiths & Tony from Bungay L Susan Claire Down from Blackwood * Susan Bennett from Daventry. Dr Tom Beirne from Leamington Spa. Sally Hardwill & Bear from Chard LxGR Michael Donnelly from Coventry * Alison Nuttall from Redditch. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Paul And Ann Huc from Leamington Spa. Mr Robert Chandler from Bristol. Emilia Harris & Leo from Exeter GR Maria Edwards from Exmouth * Emily Aram from Derby. Mr Barry Holtom from Warwick. Mr & Miss Zak Lawton & Rachel Crane from Exeter. Molly Harris & Clover from Exeter L Sara Hamilton-Wynne from Plymouth * Steve Parsons from Cirencester. Peter & Clare Topping from Kenilworth. Steven Hicks & Striker from Redruth LxGR Sandra Findlay from Coventry * Mrs Emma Collins from Warwick. Laura Hill & Greta from Bargoed GRxGSD * Rene Everett from Solihull. Mrs Jane Swain from Hinckley. Ms Sophie Wiltshire from Bristol. Daniel Lane & Kay from Paignton GRxGR Penny Hall from Bideford * John Rogers from Bromsgrove. Christopher Lee & Snoopy from Paignton GRxGR Pat Hill from Leicester * Leesa Maddrell & Rita from Exeter GRxGR Iris Chapple from Martock * Miss Nina Griffin from Exeter Chloe McBratney & Emily from Barry L Terence Frankel from Cheltenham, Brenda Mead from Tewkesbury * David Meadows from Gloucester. Miss Katie Watkins from Warwick. Mrs Tina Palmer from Bristol. Samantha Morris & Rishka from Torpoint GRxL Helen Mitchell from Street * Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa. Mrs Mary Courtney from Exeter. Megan Price & Daisy from Aberdare L Janette Marley from Corby * Sarah Darnes from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Daniel Roberts & Luna from Weston-Super-Mare STPxL Trevor & Helen Wells from Barnstaple * Cath Pedreschi from Evesham. Mr & Mrs Landsberg from Milton Keynes. Alison Smith & Lainey from Yelverton LxGR Helen Morley from Weston-Super-Mare * Josie Stratford & Polly from Plymouth LxGR Jean Jordan from Bristol * Linda Mallette from Worcester. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Mr Gavin Viney from Newton Abbot. Emma Sylvester & Yolanda from Bridgend GSD Andrea Eaton from Clevedon * Helen Sergison from Dudley. Miss Claire Huxley from Leamington Spa. Colin Vaughan & Saffie from Newport L Pauline Ellis from Warwick * Linda Atkins from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Bryony Venmore & Josy from Exeter L * Caroline Butler from Evesham. Paul & Ann Huc from Leamington Spa. Ms Wendy Finch from Exeter. Brian Witherington & Alan from Swanage * Jilly Arnold from Leamington Spa. Mr Marcus Faulkner from Warwick. Mr Ian & Jo Bond from Warwick. Martin Wright & Kirk from Exmouth L Henry & Maggie McNulty from South Petherton * Helen Benson from Redditch. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Mrs Claire McCrone from Leamington Spa. Glasgow Caroline Boyle & Sage from Glasgow GR Anne Roberts from Edinburgh * Mr & Mrs Pete Williams from Droitwich. Ms Wendy Walker from Hamilton. John Curley & Kai from Glasgow GRxGR Norman & Ruby Lavery from Alford * John Rogers from Bromsgrove. Robert Fraser & Isla from Nairn LxGR Sarah Fearon from Edinburgh * Sharon Cranston from Daventry. Kirsty Sutherland from Laurencekirk. Mrs Lesley Hamilton from Larkhall. Linda Glen & Payton from Glasgow LxGR Edna Reid from Glasgow * Mrs Pauline Belton & Norman Fish from Didcot. Lorraine Hendrie & Umber from Inverness GRxGR Marjorie Morgan from Newtownards * Jonathan Gadsby from Coventry. Colin Hetherington & Frankie from Glasgow LxGR Andrew Hopes from Cupar * Tricia Ducker from Blisworth. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Valerie Hicks & Chrissie from Broxburn GRxL Carolyn Thornton from Edinburgh * Lynn Dignan from Rugby. David Keenan & Jaco from Musselburgh GRxL Innes Clark from Aberdeen * Caroline Butler from Evesham. Mrs Andrea Tierney from Edinburgh. Martin McGarrity & Zuzu from Greenock GRxL Greg Redfern from Monifieth * Erica Cromack from Burton-on-Trent. Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Mrs Joan Hill from Hamilton. Elizabeth O'Hara & Kiki from Glasgow L Margaret Cullen from Larkhall * Anthony Williamson from Northampton. Mrs Liz Gould from Evesham. Mrs Ruth McKay from Forfar. Mrs Rebecca Makey from Larkhall. Nicol Scott & Aram from Kirkwall GRxGSD Catriona Rose from Edinburgh * Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Kirsty Sutherland from Laurencekirk. Elizabeth Turner & Mae from Inverness GRxL Jane Patmore from Musselburgh * Lesley Reddy from Warwick. Mrs Lynne Jones from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ms Emma Taylor from Edinburgh. Gordon Waddell & Omar from Airdrie LxGR * Christine Fowler from Southam. Ann Wallace & Winnie from Irvine L Linda Connor from Blairgowrie * Janet Klaar from Stourbridge. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Hull Sarah Bassett & Jackson from Hull GRxGR * Howard Dorrell from Worcester. Emma Constance & Astra from Castleford LxGR Laura Burnett from Derby * Mrs Pauline Belton & Norman Fish from Didcot. Helen Davies & Tutu from Bradford LxGR Susan Bayliss from Sunderland * Mrs Pauline Belton & Norman Fish from Didcot. Teresa Griffin & Wanda from Halifax L Margaret Leaver from Perth * Linda Langman from Milton Keynes. Mr Jim Nixon from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Janet Varley & Indigo from Leeds GRxGR Andrew & Mary Calder from Northallerton * Ingrid Moss from Warwick. Mr & Mrs David & Anne Procter from Beverley. Robbie Williams & Giles from York LxGR Garth Munton from Derby * Tricia Ducker from Blisworth. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Leeds David Subham & Ozzy from Leeds LxGR Donna Gabbitas from Chesterfield * Christine Fowler from Southam. Mr & Mrs David & Rachel Fairless from Bacup. Mr & Mrs Andrew & Samantha Kneeshaw from Beverley. Elizabeth Frankland & Oscar from Doncaster GRxL Nancy Hayes from Warrington * Lesley Reddy from Warwick. Mr & Mrs Rod & Rosemary Campbell-Blair from Driffield. Trevor Clarke & Spencer from Sheffield LxGR Alison & John Lassey from Brighouse * Tammi Curran from Rugby. Mrs Julie Trent from Leicester. Miss Stephanie Varley from Littleborough. Sheila Foster & Zoey from Leeds GRxL Joyce Delves from Doncaster * Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Ms Kate Homan from Leeds. Angela Hoey & Brandy from Halifax LxGR Kathy Connor from Bradford * Julia Rodwell from Milton Keynes. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Caroline Matthews & Jack from Sheffield GRxGR Linda Patricia Myatt from Wyke * Michael Spelman from Coventry. Patricia Morris & Gracie from Sheffield GRxL Nancy Goring from Skipton * Ms Debra Durrington from Wigan. Dr Wendy Baird from Sheffield. Linda Sales & Bronte GR Ian Best from Newcastle Upon Tyne * Leslie Johnson from Redditch. Mrs Mo Duffy from Leeds. Eric Smith & Croft from Wakefield GSD Laraine Knott from South Shields * Samantha Smith & Daisy from Sheffield GSD Howard & Margaret Davies from Leeds * Joe Bourne from Nuneaton. Mr Robert Redmond from Leeds. Beryl Taylor & Val from Barnsley GRxL * Lily Walsh & Zen from Liversedge GRxL Ruth Rogers from Bingley * Miss Emma Dinnell from Leeds. Paula Webster & Kirsty from Keighley L Jan Fryett from Middlesbrough * Edwina Griffin from Worcester. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Mrs Kwai White from Beverley. Deborah White & Jenny from Sheffield GRxGR Susan Wilks from Preston * Clare Turton from Solihull. Miss Louise Caprak from Warrington. Mr Peter Duff from Sheffield. Martin Wing & Tango from Rotherham L * Janet Klaar from Stourbridge. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Sarah Meadows from Manchester. Liverpool Amanda Baker & Eddie from Deeside GR * Jason Mark Bell & Freddie from Macclesfield LxGR Julie Hulme from Knutsford * Tricia Ducker from Blisworth. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Mrs Sue Munnerley from Liverpool. Helen Griffiths & Derek from Stoke-on-Trent GRxL Teresa Ferguson from Birkenhead, Alison Tanner-Davies from Wirral * Fiona & Chris O'Reilly from Liverpool. Lorraine Hankinson & Noah from Newton-le-Willows LxGR John (Bob) Wilson & Ms Karen Scallan from Crewe * Claire Webster from Sutton Coldfield. Colette Dunbabin from Liverpool. Jon Hastie & Stanley from Wirral LxGR Joy Lyon from Liverpool * Sharn Woodgate from Chipping Norton. Mrs Carla Marshall from Liverpool. Paul Howell & Rory from Northwich L Sylvia & Raymond Wallace from Runcorn * Natasha Aylott from Birmingham. Miss Rachel Bristow from Liverpool. Harry Jones & Gem from Prenton LxGR * Mrs Sheila Donnelly from Liverpool. Rachel Linney & Unis from Macclesfield GRxL Tracy Lewis-Jones from Chester * Susan Mooney & Carlo from Liverpool GRxL Sue Lloyd from Southport * Miss Sophie Fielding from Liverpool. Dorothy Rimmer & Luna from Southport LxGR Iain & Janet Brown from St Helens * Joyce Bartlett from Rugby. Mrs Eileen Devlin from Liverpool. Jim Roberts & Nugget from Bootle LxGR * Deborah Carruthers from Lichfield. Miss & Mr Danielle & Richard Causby & Hunter from Manchester. Patrick Scanlan & Pepper from Liverpool L Shelagh & Bobby Owens from Liverpool * Jessica Macgregor from Warmington. Ms Wendy Medlicott from Coventry. Ms Maria Deegan from Liverpool. Mark Shakeshaft & Alfie from Widnes GRxL Lee & Donna Brewster from Alfreton * Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Mark Tilsley & Terral from Macclesfield GRxGR Andrew Jamieson from Wirral * Graham Rainey from Coventry. Miss Rebecca Parr from Liverpool. Gillian Wake & Coco from Hoylake GRxGSD Alyson Nuttall from Leigh * Rosemary Jackson from Leamington Spa. Mrs Nicola Eyres from Liverpool. London Jason Aye & Flossie from Isleworth LxGR Ray Eastland from Bishop's Stortford, Violet Turner from Waltham Cross * Mike Brace & King from Hornchurch GRxL * Marie Lee-Hopps from Redditch. Rayon Campbell & Oakie from London LxGR Jean Moore from Sidcup * Linda Mallette from Worcester. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Mr Matthew Lazarus from London. Elizabeth Capener & Ziggy from London GRxL * Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Susan Codd & Ruby from Sidcup L Edith Preston from St Albans * Helen Daw from Bedford. Mrs Nicola Scarrott from Witney. Mrs Gill Herbert from Loughton. Tracy Compton & Sandi from Morden L Kim & Stuart Macmillan from Colchester * Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Ms Tara Parashar from London. John Dove & Voss from London GSD Mary Leckie from Glasgow * Linda Tindall from Coventry. Mr & Mrs S H Cox from Axminster. Miss Pauline Jenkins from Belfast. Michal Dragon & Sandy from London GRxGR John Hudd from Colchester * Sandra Drewell & Breeze from London L Catherine Pugh from Rowhedge * Caroline Butler from Evesham. Mr Mark Hobson from Solihull. Elizabeth Fairclough & Ziggy from London GRxL * Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Leanne Harvey & Tammy from Enfield GRxL Sophie Zygmunt from Benfleet * Trudy Evans from Coventry. Mr Adrian Claxton from Warwick. Kevin Lyon & Purdie from London GRxL Lyn Pressman from Swindon. * Rachael Neville & Pippa from London LxGR Marion & Phillip Wilkinson from Dartford * Linda Mallette from Worcester. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Michael O'Brien & Hermes from London GRxL Michael & Shiralee Keane from Chatham * Elbert Loubser from Bicester. John Pitts & Gem from Dagenham L Andrea Capewell from Newbury * Kathryn Holt from Abingdon. Mr Kevin Taylor from Warwick. Scott Rentle & Ramble from Ruislip GRxGSD Stephanie Billington & Eleanor Denham from Leatherhead * Rosemary Jackson from Leamington Spa. Miss Larry Whitbread from London. Robbie Rogers & Shadow from London GR Kim Stacey from Billericay * Tina Warner from Warwick. Mr & Ms Robbie & Monika Granese from Chigwell. Maidstone Sue Bott & Berry from Aylesham L * Jackie Page from Coventry. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Mrs Jane Sackett from Maidstone. Richard Cowan & Oscar from Tunbridge Wells GR * Julie Lloyd from Tamworth. Mrs Kelly Ingram from Maidstone. Dana Curtis & Connolly from Lewes GRXL Rae & Peter Gibbens from Whitstable * Claire Aluko from Northampton. Kelly Ann Harris & Marty from Twydall GRXL Jean * Claire Aluko from Northampton. Mrs Kelli Gardner from Sittingbourne. Ian Hudson & Barry from Maidstone GRxL Marc & Jane Pegler from West Malling. * Miss Rochelle Elphick from Maidstone. Nadine Jackson & Quaver from Maidstone GRxL Susan Piekos from Chatham * Elbert Loubser from Bicester. Mr Anthony Allred from Maidstone. Caroline Kennelly & Dougie from Canterbury GRxGR Karen & Bethany Meeson/East from St Leonards-on-Sea * Lisa Partridge-Davis from Cleeve Prior. Mr Brian Davies from Maidstone. Angela Laycock & Miller from Tonbridge L Jackie Ralph from Uckfield * Susan Bennett from Daventry. Mr Phil Edwards from Maidstone. Nim Thorp & Zak from Rainham L Gayle Azopardi from Sittingbourne * Mr Paul Sharp from Coventry. Mr Simon Randall from Maidstone. Paul Watson & Barnaby from Westgate-on-Sea GR Lynn & Tony Stapley/Smith from Gravesend * Lorna Latham from Evesham. Miss Sarah Bailey from Tonbridge. Molly Wellard & Trudy from Swanscombe GRxL David & Mavis Yale from Gillingham * Trudy Evans from Coventry. Mr & Mrs Pete & Deborah Ingram from Aylesford. Manchester Anne Bradbury & Ivy from Lymm L Jenness Turner from Preston * Sally Weston from Birmingham. Miss Fay Keech from Coventry. Mrs Ellen Devine from Manchester. Rebecca Cherrington & Hilda from Crewe LxGR Tom & Brenda Fredrickson from Urmston, Ruth Smith from Cheadle Hulme * Tammi Curran from Rugby. Mrs Julie Trent from Leicester. Mr & Mrs Amy & Scott Gibbons from Wigan. Andrew Curtis & Rose from Frizington LxGR Sean, Helen & Matthew Livingstone from Newcastle Upon Tyne. * Elaine Aworth from Northampton. Mrs Tracy Shipton from Bolton. Mrs Jen Florence from Carlisle. Michelle Fryer & Esme from Accrington GRxGSD Jane Scowcroft from Rochdale * Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Mrs Hazel Burke from Bolton. Norma Jones & Layla from Manchester L Monika Dabrowski from Stockport * Linda Langman from Milton Keynes. Louise & Phil Gannon from Wigan. Tony McGregor & Jack from Sunderland LxGR Dp Fletcher from Bolton * Julie Cattell from Worcester. Christopher John Norton & Cyril from Winsford LxGR Carol Ashurst from Skelmersdale * Judith Adlington from Coventry. Mrs Julie Trent from Leicester Mr Darren Smith from Bolton. Julie Oliver & Noah from Preston GR Susan Ballantyne from Lancaster * Dawn Parsons from Wallingford. Mrs Tracey Gregory from Leigh. Josh Richards & Sue from Carlisle LxGR Jason Starks from Leigh * Joyce Bartlett from Rugby. Sheila Rushton & Ramble from Bolton LxGR Elizabeth Fenwick & Mr Steve King from Whitley Bay * Julie Lloyd from Tamworth. Mrs Carol Clarke from Rushden. Kelly Taylor & Zane from Wrexham GRxL Janiece & Philip Marriott-Smith from Manchester * Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Mr & Mrs Elaine & Lee Eckersley from Westhoughton. Yvonne Taylor & Ernie from Littleborough LxGR Elaine Kemp from Blackburn * Tammi Curran from Rugby. Mrs Julie Trent from Leicester. Ms Anna Trotman from Westhoughton. Annice Unsworth & Zofia from St Helens GRxGR Lynne Hampson from Fleetwood * Ingrid Moss from Warwick. Mrs Claire Maher from Manchester. Dawn Watson & Babsy from Wallsend L Denise Hipwell from Stafford * Linda Langman from Milton Keynes. Andrew Woods & Bartle from Manchester GRxGSD Helen Short from Manchester * Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Mr & Mrs Debbie & John Smith from Manchester. Newcastle Richard Boggie & William from Newcastle Upon Tyne L John Potter from Dunfermline, Susan Park from Larbert, Iain McLachlan from Forfar * Natasha Aylott from Birmingham. Gwyneth Boyes & Bracken from Seaham GRxL Carol King from Edinburgh * Lesley Reddy from Warwick. Ronald Cordner & Inca from Peterlee L Fiona Johnston from Burntisland * Jane Knifton from Leamington Spa. Mr Paul Sharp from Coventry. Ms Julie Barrow from Blyth. Michael Danks & Rover from Middlesbrough GRxGR Shelagh Davidson from Aberdour * Howard Dorrell from Worcester. Ailsa McCollum-Oldroyd & Zelie from Morpeth GRxL Yvonne Madden from Glasgow * Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Mr Michael Cole from Morpeth. Niall McMurtry & Roni from Newcastle Upon Tyne GSD Nimmi Whitelaw from Glasgow * Ms Katie Robertson from Cramlington. Chris Moore & Wagner from Wallsend L Evonne Holder from Arbroath * Natasha Aylott from Birmingham. David Snowden & Hudson from Hartlepool GRxGR Anne Peake from Forfar * Clare Turton from Solihull. Alison Trelfa & Josey from Middlesbrough GRxL Kara Wilson from Rosyth * Richard Trelfa & Uska from Middlesbrough GRxL Marina Houston from Alyth * Nottingham Leigh Cartwright & Jackson from Nottingham GRxL Robert & Margaret Pollock from Sheffield * Lesley Reddy from Warwick. Mr Andrew Rice from Nottingham. Ray Cocking & Huntly from Newark GRxL Sarah Morgan from Quarndon * Mrs Sue & Phil Rickaby from Nottingham. Brenda Cowle & Freya from Glossop LxGR Kathleen Dilks from North Shields, Stacey Dawn Roberts & Mr Steven Edgson from Nottingham * Tricia Ducker from Blisworth. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Craig & Jackie Hulatt from Nottingham. Terry Rodgers & Charlie from Nottingham GRxL * Caroline Butler from Evesham. Leslie Smith & Willow from Nottingham GSD Sandra Douglas from Belper * Samuel Smith & Arnold from Derby GRxL Gary & Karen Rolls from Newport * Janice Taylor & Bootham from Nottingham STPxL Deborah Rankine from Mexborough * Mrs Joy Floyd from Rugby. Wendy Wells & Theia from Nottingham LxGR John & Barbara Hagger from Lee-on-The-Solent * Rebecca Jackson from Kidderminster. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Mr & Miss William & Rachel Thomas/Gardner from Leamington. Donna Winters & Runway from High Peak GR Carolyn & Andrew Lantaff from Rayleigh * Stephen Read from Birmingham. Peterborough Carolyn Allum & Lea from Ipswich GRxL Sandra & Raymond Brett from Welwyn Garden City * Lorraine Johnson from Market Harborough. Jeanette Brighton & Joseph from Norwich GR Pat Tuffs from Dartford * Tina Warner from Warwick. Sheila Fahy & Joy from Felixstowe GRxGR Jeanne & Alan Defries from Brentwood * Clare Turton from Solihull. Paul Farrell & Duffy from Norwich LxGR * Alison Nuttall from Redditch. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Peter George & William from Lowestoft L * Steve Parsons from Cirencester. Thomas Harrison & Chester from Beccles LxGR * Rebecca Jackson from Kidderminster. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Brett Heath & Monty from Saxmundham LxGR Carla Wilson from Chatham * Rebecca Jackson from Kidderminster. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Mrs Paula Elliston from Lakenheath. Gina Hewitt & Olivia from Great Yarmouth GR Carol-Ann Bullman from Upminster * Tina Warner from Warwick. Ms Joanne Emery from Peterborough. Colin Larter & Rocket from Woodbridge L Linda & Richard Bell from Clacton-On-Sea, Sara, Jean & Mark, Marcus Burrell/Harvey/Blowers from Maldon * Helen Benson from Redditch. Miss Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Janet Ling & Scrumble from Saxmundham GRxL Jeanette, Joseph & Cherkira Bau-Mann from Romford * Valerie Veness from Sutton Coldfield. Jonathan Petty & Dixon from Bury St Edmunds L Susan Chambers from Chelmsford * Sarah Darnes from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Miss Debbi Lamb from Norwich. Lee Read & Dottie from Ely L Josephine & Noel Creighton / Kelly from Benfleet * Sarah Darnes from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Jane Readfern-Gray & Todd from Peterborough L Jackie & Richard Morfett from Longfield * Jilly Arnold from Leamington Spa. Mr Marcus Faulkner from Warwick. Christopher Waller & Pennard from Sheringham GRxL David, Tina & Samuel Shea from Tonbridge * Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa. Miss Briony Curran from Norwich. Gwen Watts & Lennox from Brandon GR Jan Caulfield from Halstead * Gloria Holmes from Princes Risborough. Mr Barry Holtom from Warwick. Juliet Winter & Wilbur from Peterborough L Jonathan & Penelope Lovett from Essex * Steve Parsons from Cirencester. Reading Anthony Aston & Cooper from Burgess Hill GRxL Ellen Young from Basingstoke * Samantha Hanley from Telford. Trevor Brown & Ruby from Farnborough GRxL Grainne O'Kelly from Hungerford * Celene Wilkinson from Chipping Norton. Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Mr Kevin & Viv Wooldridge from Reading. Samantha Chandler & Unis from Bicester GR Derek & Nicola Ireland from Blairgowrie, Kathleen Rae from Perth * Julie Lloyd from Tamworth. Bob Gerhardt & Indie from Thame LxGR Steve Morris from Swindon * Andrea Kane from Leamington Spa. Chris & Sian Fletcher from Reading. Michael Grantham & Gilly from Witney GSD Maggie Speirs from Sevenoaks * Amanda Turner from Telford. Mr Andrew & Heather White from Reading. Arthur Legge & Rosie from Chipping Norton L Cathy Steyn from Edinburgh * Sally Weston from Birmingham. Miss Fay Keech from Coventry. Ralph Nolan & Quince from Epsom LxGR George & Janice McCaffery & Boswell from Corsham * Mr Hrothgar Stibbon from Bristol. Janette Penn & Hope from Felpham LxGR * Linda Mallette from Worcester. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Joe Pitt & Poppy from Salisbury GRxGR Elizabeth Janes from Goring-on-Thames * Jane Roberts from Wellesbourne. Elliot Reynolds & Caddy from Winchester GRxL Susan Chambers from Swindon * Mr Nigel & Loretta Draper from Aldershot. Francis Smith & Ian from Worthing L Sandra Duff from Edinburgh * Janet Klaar from Stourbridge. Sarah Sheasby from Bromsgrove. Michelle Symes-Rivers & Maya from Old Coulsdon L * Valerie Hanson from Birmingham. Mrs Neil & Louisa Brown from Reading. Andy Turner & Brodie from Reading GRxL Hannah Mitchener from Waterlooville * Valerie Veness from Sutton Coldfield. Mr & Mrs Joanna & Ray Hassan from Reading. Abigail White & Ritzie from Oxford GRxGSD Angus & Eleanore Adams from Banchory * Rosemary Jackson from Leamington Spa. Mr & Mrs Lee & Julie Wharton from Reading. Shrewsbury Stella Bates & Sam from Willenhall L * Amanda Bourne from Nuneaton. Edward Blacksmith & Toby from Lichfield GRxGR Candice, David, Alastair & James Worlidge from Farnham * John Rogers from Bromsgrove. David Bollington & Rocket from Newcastle GRxGR Lynda Hamblet from Bolton * Jonathan Gadsby from Coventry. Mrs Nicola Hunter from Wigan. Rosamund Castle & Spirit from Stoke-on-Trent STPxL Christine Neeson from Nottingham * Mrs Joy Floyd from Rugby. Lottie Clark & Olive from Shrewsbury GRxL Alison Norman from Ilkley * Davis from Leicester. Alan Crowther & Gabriel from Derby GSD Ian & Lesley Cave from Hexham * Jacqueline Webb from Wolverhampton. Lisa Farlow & Zola from Bilston GRxL Kathleen Shepherd from Bolton * Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Mr & Mrs Louise & Michael Aspden & Dean from Bolton. Mrs Karen Lee from Shrewsbury. Janet Glass & Bobby from Telford LxGR Christine Spratt from Rugeley * Deborah Carruthers from Lichfield. Lee Hayes & Gryff GRxL Sandra Findlay from Coventry * Mrs Marie Morse from Banbury. Mrs Andy & Sue Bowden from Kenilworth. Kirsty Hill & Rosa from Shrewsbury LxGR David & Sue Nicholas from Telford * Joyce Bartlett from Rugby. Jessica Hollinshead & Aero from Stoke-on-Trent STPxL Ann Burdett from Sheffield * Mrs Joy Floyd from Rugby. Miss Louise Prince from Shrewsbury. Martin Hunt & Millie from Dudley STPxL Margaret Stanton from Bury * Cath Pedreschi from Evesham. Mr & Mrs Landsberg from Milton Keynes. Mr & Mrs Robert & Clare Carr from Bolton. Andrew Jones & Jay from Wrexham LxGR Joyce Sydserff from Sheffield * Sheila Northover from Derby. Mrs Maria Harvey from Shipston-on-Stour. Mr & Mrs Ian & Sue Lomas from Warrington. Kelly Keen & Ziggy from Newcastle-Under-Lyme GRxGR Chris Usher from Ilkeston * Patricia Lacey & Ursula from Stourbridge GRxGR Kathleen Batchelor from Manchester * Jonathan Gadsby from Coventry. Mrs Julie Whalley from Leigh. Paul Laycock & Crumble from Telford GRxL Rosemary & Geoff Heslop from Leeds * Lynn Dignan from Rugby. Andy Lovell & Albert from Stoke-on-Trent LxGR Stephen Bladen from Nottingham * Claire Webster from Sutton Coldfield. Maria Milner & Quaver from Shrewsbury GRxL Susan Lees from Church Stretton * Pamela Moody from Leicester. Mrs Anne Watson from Kenilworth. Mrs Diane Bamber from Bolton. Gillian & Gerard Burgess from Oswestry. Rita Nicholls & Ria from Wolverhampton L Denise Shute from Morpeth * Linda Langman from Milton Keynes. Mr & Miss Mike Dobson & Jade Fawcett from Manchester. Malcolm Price & Willow from Tipton GRxL Maureen Southern Mbe from Gateshead * Lynn Dignan from Rugby. Mrs Linda Entwistle from Bolton. Liz Smith & Paddy from Walsall GR Martyn & Beverley Butterworth from Littleborough * Ian Tonks & Malcolm from Rowley Regis GRxGR Susan Donnelly from Gateshead * Ingrid Moss from Warwick. Lois Turner & Buster from Stoke-on-Trent L Malcolm Essl from Sunderland * Natasha Aylott from Birmingham. Mr & Mrs Catherine & John Wilkinson from Manchester. John Walker & Molly from Telford GR* Brenda Thomson from Sutton Coldfield. Mr David Bradshaw from Redditch. Louise Walker & Clova from Walsall L Thelma Brown from Hexham * Jane Knifton from Leamington Spa. Mrs Kerry Downes from Leicester. Mr Mark Slater from Bolton. Southampton Tracey Bentley & Ricky from Poole GRxL Ian Whitesmith from Trowbridge * Dee Moloney from Leamington Spa. Mrs Sarah & Roger Hammett from Southampton. Philippa Kirkness & Alice from Alton LxGR Myra Pritchard from Southampton, Larry & Jaqueline Meaney from Eastleigh * Miss Holly Miller from Southampton. Jenny & Scott Bolton & Soper from Ferndown. Supriya Lamport & Quiver from Aldershot GRxL Robert & Maria Cassidy from Torquay * Elbert Loubser from Bicester. Mrs Kelly Merritt from Leamington Spa. Tim Mahy & Caspar from Guernsey GRXL Joanne Morris from Bournemouth * Claire Aluko from Northampton. Mr & Mrs Steve & Rebecca Goodman from Portsmouth. Paul Oakley-Cleife & Gabby from Portsmouth L Carole Prior from Rugby * Susan Bennett from Daventry. Dr Jessica Gilbert from Leamington Spa. Mary Parsons & Wesley from Wareham L Jean Prosser from Andover * Steve Parsons from Cirencester. Mr & Mrs Alice & Graham Wilkinson from Eastleigh. Janet Price & Jet from Cowes L Keir Beard from Bridgend * Kathryn Holt from Abingdon. Mr Kevin Taylor from Warwick. Mrs Pauline Williams from Warwick. Kate Ransby & Queenie from Salisbury LxGR Bruce Card from North Tawton * Corrisanne Dancey-Brock from Banbury. Janette & Mark Dudley from Leamington Spa. Alan Sloman & Sabre from Petersfield LxGR Stephen & Janet Tolputt from Bridport * Peter Turton from Coventry. Mrs Nicola Scarrott from Witney. Mr Oliver Thom from Leamington Spa. Katherine Wilde & Zorro from Gosport LxGR Dick & Jacqui Richomme from Jersey * Peter Minty from Cheltenham. Welwyn Garden City Avril Budd & Jenson from Clacton-On-Sea LxGR Roger Blackwell from Southend-On-Sea * Regina Cardo from Kingswinford. Daniel Chapell & Ronnie from Stanford-le-Hope L Kevin & Marilyn Hawkins from Braintree * Jackie Page from Coventry. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Miss Joanne Bell from Ilford. Pauline Connolly & Cassie from Watford LxGR Rachel Bradbury from Woodford Green * Regina Cardo from Kingswinford. Gillian O’Sullivan from St. Albans. David Freeman & Katie from Witham GRxL Kevin & Sandra March from Maldon, Peter, Jane & Elisabeth Sillett from Witham * Marie Lee-Hopps from Redditch. Mr Stephen Hathaway from St Albans. Alexander Gull & Buddy from Wickford LxGR Ufuk & Gulcem Ercis from Guildford * Andrea Kane from Leamington Spa. Mr & Ms Hannah & John Luik / O Donnell from Hornchurch. Mrs June Breeze from Rainham. Skie Hewitt & Lucy from Colchester GRxL Terri Carter from Swindon * Mrs Catherine Egan from Lower Broadheath. Miss Lucy Martin from Harpenden. Kelly Kirk & Woody from Thetford LxGR Richard Godfrey from Watford * Alison Nuttall from Redditch. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Stephen Marklew & Dibble from Walsall L Keith Roberts from Romford, David & Angie Moore from Romford * Sarah Darnes from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Siobhan Meade & Martin from Stevenage LxGR Claire Thomas from Sevenoaks * Linda Mallette from Worcester. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Mrs Sue Mills from Woodford Green. Matthew & Tracey Hooper from Rickmansworth. Diane Pearson & Gracie from Rochford L Rachel & Brian Welch from Benfleet * Susan Bennett from Daventry. Nadir Pereira & Eva from St Albans GRxL Margaret & Dave Mardell from Rochester * Sonia Evans from Milton Keynes. Mr Brian Rice from Woodford Green. Forward Breeding Stock Qualifiers for period: 1 Apr 2019 to 31 Aug 2019 Amba * 18.06.19 * L * Bitch * Dr E Miles from Kenilworth. Miss D Cameron from Dunfermline. Mrs Julie Trent from Leicester. Daisy * 23.08.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs G&D Cashmore from Sawbridgeworth. Dann * 09.05.19 * GR * Stud * Mrs J Bartlett from Rugby. Mrs R Dennis from Swindon. Della * 08.08.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs L Orr from Cupar. Dolly * 25.04.19 * L * Bitch * Ms P Dawson from Chipping Norton. Mrs C&TW Knox-Wright from Hook. Mrs Lana Taylor from Stratford-Upon-Avon. Ella * 26.06.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs A Belasco from Southampton. Mrs Pamela Griffiths from Coventry. Etty * 21.05.19 * CCR * Bitch * Miss L Docherty from Rugby. Mr Adam Fincham from Leamington Spa. Heather * 23.08.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs D Moloney from Leamington Spa. Mr & Dr JW Willis from Shefford. Mrs Pamela Griffiths from Coventry. Holly * 26.07.19 * GR * Bitch * Mr P Maycock from Bromsgrove. S Langmaid from Martock. Jumble * 09.05.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs V Veness from Sutton Coldfield. Miss O Bailey from Edinburgh. Mr & Mrs Lowe from Coventry. Kara * 26.07.19 * GRxGR * Bitch * Mr M Spelman from Coventry. Mrs H Bettison from Dronfield. Mrs Barbara Stone from Kenilworth. Kaya * 14.06.19 * GRxGR * Bitch * Mr M Spelman from Coventry. Miss A Gill from Waltham Abbey. Mrs Barbara Stone from Kenilworth. Kim * 10.07.19 * L * Bitch * Mr R Dowen from Stourbridge. Miss Amanda Hancocks from Daventry. Luna * 11.07.19 * GRxGR * Bitch * Mrs J Evans from Droitwich. Mrs F Collier from York. Mrs E Churchill from Leeds. Mrs Barbara Stone from Kenilworth. Millie * 14.06.19 * L * Bitch * Dr E Miles from Kenilworth. Mrs B Jackson from Stockport. Mrs Julie Trent from Leicester. Misty * 21.05.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs V Veness from Sutton Coldfield. Mr S Whitehead from Sunderland. Mr & Mrs Lowe from Coventry. Nancy * 28.06.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs L Wise from Coventry. Mrs W Eddings from Peterborough. Mrs Julie Trent from Leicester. Odette * 08.08.19 * GSD * Bitch * Mrs S Faulkner from Coventry. Mrs S Godson from Banbury. Pickle * 10.07.19 * L * Bitch * Mr JS Starks from Leigh. Mr & Mrs Lowe from Coventry. Rose * 25.04.19 * GR * Bitch * 1 Mr & Mrs S&L F Fryer from Ashford. Saffron * 08.08.19 * GRxGR * Bitch * Mrs C Waddell from Redditch. Mrs S Absolom from Milton Keynes. Sheena * 26.07.19 * GRxGR * Bitch * Mrs G Hickman from Stourbridge. Mrs L Jack from Livingston. Unity * 14.06.19 * GSD * Bitch * Mrs S Kemp from Atherstone. Mrs J Newton from Clevedon. Vicki * 27.06.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs C Gray from Brackley. Mrs J Handley from Sowerby Bridge. Mrs Pamela Griffiths from Coventry. Vogue * 23.08.19 * L * Bitch * Mr & Mrs S Brett from Welwyn Garden City. Mr & Mrs Lowe from Coventry. Wispa * 09.05.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs M Lee-Hopps from Redditch. Mr & Mrs Lowe from Coventry. Yolande * 08.08.19 * GRxGR * Bitch * Mrs G Hickman from Stourbridge. Mrs D Henry from Ayr. Zara * 22.05.19 * L * Bitch * Mrs M Lee-Hopps from Redditch. Mr & Mrs P Moss from Dartford. Mr & Mrs Lowe from Coventry. Over to you Letters Here’s to 50 puppies… And more! Between them, Hilary Reed and Norma Stent have puppy walked more than 100 potential guide dogs over an incredible 75 years. Hilary, from Westbury in Wiltshire, has just taken on her 50th pup – a German shepherd called Doris, and had previously walked both of Doris’ parents, Jacko and River. Hilary says the Westbury/Warminster group raised £5,000 to name Doris in memory of Hilary’s mum. Hilary started puppy walking in 1982, her second pup arriving two weeks after the birth of her son, Daniel. My wife Norma, from Bath, is currently on her 52nd pup – a black Labrador called Russ. She started puppy walking in 1981 and had a toddler, a baby and a puppy all at the same time, as well as moving house. Recently we raised £5,000 to name our 50th dog, and chose the name Quinquaginta (Latin for 50), which we shortened to Quinka. Both ladies are ardent fundraisers, branch members, speaker etc, and neither have any intention of giving up in the near future. They would love to hear from anyone else who has walked 50 or more dogs, and maybe start an “Over 50 Club”, so please email us via fiftypups@gmail.com. Derek Stent Included here is a photograph of Hilary Reed (with German shepherd Doris) and Norma Stent (with black Labrador Russ). Caption competition Lynn and David Smith from Norwich sent in this amusing photo of their yellow pet Labrador, Kaiser, making sure that he got every last bit of kibble! Lynn and David have been volunteer boarders for about 20 years, looking after more than thirty dogs for various reasons and lengths of time. As well as Kaiser, the couple also have Milly, a cocker spaniel. Included here is a photograph of Kaiser with the front half of his body inside a large bag of dry dog food. What would you caption this photo of Kaiser? Send your suggestions to: Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG or email forward@guidedogs.org.uk with your name, address and a daytime phone number. There’s a £10 Marks and Spencer voucher for the winner. The winner of the last caption competition is Andy Smith, from Somerset, with: “Let the dog see the rabbit? How can I miss him?!” Congratulations, Andy! Included here is a photograph of guide dog puppy in training, Naylor, sitting next to someone dressed in a rabbit costume. Competition rules This competition is open to anyone resident in the UK, except employees of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, their families and anyone connected with the competition. No purchase necessary. Proof of posting cannot be accepted as proof of delivery. No responsibility can be accepted for entries delayed, damaged or mislaid or wrongly delivered. Illegible entries will be disqualified. Only one original entry is allowed per envelope. The winners will be notified by either post or telephone and the results will be published in the next issue of the magazine. The winners must agree to the publication of their names, photographs and any publicity, if requested. In all matters concerning the competition the Editor’s decision is final. No correspondence can be entered into. Entry implies acceptance of the rules. The closing date for the competition is 31 January 2020 In good company Thank you Pets at Home and all of our supporters We want to say a big thank you to Pets at Home and to all our supporters who are members of the Pets at Home VIP Club. Since our partnership with Pets at Home began in 2015, you have helped to raise a very impressive £250,000 for Guide Dogs! Guide Dogs receive vital “Lifelines” from Pets at Home, which are generated by our supporters when they shop instore or online. These “Lifelines” are converted into vouchers that we can spend in any of their 370 stores, benefiting all our amazing dogs, our training staff, welfare staff, volunteers and service users. That’s a massive bundle of treats, toys, beds and other equipment that can help our dogs through their guide dog journey. Our staff, guide dog owners and volunteers have lots of fun on their shopping sprees up and down the country and the dogs always have the biggest smiles on their faces, not forgetting the incredible support from the Pets at Home employees who are always helpful and happy to welcome us! If you would like to find out more about the Pets at Home VIP Club, please visit vip.petsathome.com. You can enjoy tailored offers and 10% off instore and online. Included here is a photograph of Pets at Home staff and Guide Dogs volunteers inside a store. Emma takes her work home with her! Our partnership with Royal Canin goes back years, and most of our dogs are fed Royal Canin food. But as well as supplying us with something so vital, the company’s staff are getting in on the Guide Dogs act! Emma Braithwaite, Digital Media Co-ordinator at Royal Canin, explained all: “I started working at Royal Canin just over a year ago and it has been incredible working for a company so committed to providing the best nutrition for cats and dogs. Animals are a real passion of mine (particularly dogs) and our partnership with Guide Dogs is one that we, as a company, really value and one I am proud to have been able to work on. “Having wanted a dog for years, I applied to rehome a guide dog. I was delighted when I was matched with Alfie, my perfect curly coated retriever and the love of my life. Just don’t tell my boyfriend! “The rehoming team at Guide Dogs were AMAZING – Hannah and Lynn are so passionate and supportive, it really has been a dream come true! “I have been back home with Alfie for a month and it is brilliant. He comes to work with me at least three times a week and has won the affection of even the most dedicated cat people in our head office at Castle Cary!” Included here is a photograph of Emma Braithwaite and black curly coated retriever, Alfie. Promotions The following are four advertisements that are presented in different places in this issue of Forward. 1. GUIDE DOGS Share your passions Whatever your interest, there’s someone with sight loss who loves it too. By helping them get out and enjoy life, you can make a real difference. We’ll pair you up and give you training to get out and about together, when and where it suits you both. Volunteer to become a sighted guide www.guidedogs.org.uk/sighted-guiding 0345 143 0191 If you or someone you know has sight loss, we offer a range of services to help. Please visit our website. Included here is a photograph of service user Sam Fox at Tate Britain with her My Guide, actress Sophie Thompson. 2. GUIDE DOGS The Great Guide Dogs Tea Party Get your Santa hats ready! This Christmas, help us change lives by hosting a Great Guide Dogs Christmas Tea Party! Just imagine the scene, heavenly hot chocolate with mince pies, whilst merrily catching up with your colleagues or loved ones. Order your free tea party pack with our new guide dog puppy cake toppers! Go to www.guidedogs.org.uk/teatime or call 0345 143 0192. Included here are three photographs. The first is of a “snowman”, made of marshmallows and sweets, lying in a mug of hot chocolate. The second is of a black puppy resting on a large wrapped present. The final photograph is of a new guide dog puppy cake topper, featuring a sleeping Labrador/German shepherd cross puppy. 3. GUIDE DOGS Join #TeamGuideDogs at the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2020! When: Sunday 29 March 2020 Where: Pall Mall, London, United Kingdom Registration fee: £30 Fundraising target: £350 Make every step count by grabbing your place today! Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/londonlandmarks Call: 0345 143 0200 Email: events@guidedogs.org.uk Included here is a photograph of someone dressed in a dog suit with the Guide Dogs logo at last year’s London Landmarks Half Marathon. 4. GUIDE DOGS Did You Know You Can Help Guide Dogs on eBay? Make The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association your favourite charity on eBay and support us whenever you shop or sell! Visit www.charity.ebay.co.uk to learn more. ebay FOR CHARITY Included here are two photographs. The first is of a young guide dog owner and his black Labrador guide dog. The second is of a golden retriever guide dog puppy in training. Contact details This is a list of phone numbers and contact details arising from the articles in this edition of Forward Magazine. Sighted guides Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/sighted-guiding Call: 0345 143 0191 The Great Guide Dogs Tea Party Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/teatime Call: 0345 143 0192 Chief Executive Twitter: @tomwrightuk Sight Advice FAQ site Visit: www.SightAdviceFAQ.org.uk European pet travel regulation Visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit Call: 0370 241 1710 Email: pettravel@apha.gov.uk Guide Dogs wedding favours Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk Email: weddings@guidedogs.org.uk “Meteor-Eyes” book club Visit: www.tinyurl.com/meteoreyes London Landmarks Half Marathon Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/londonlandmarks Call: 0345 143 0200 Email: events@guidedogs.org.uk Dogs With Jobs Visit: www.tinyurl.com/MetroDogsWithJobs Inclusive Transport Strategy Visit: www.tinyurl.com/inclusivetransport Name a puppy Email: nameapuppy@guidedogs.org.uk Guiding Stars Call: 0800 953 0113 Children and Young People’s Services Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/cyp Call: 0800 781 1444 Volunteering Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer Call: 0345 143 0191 “Over 50 Club” Email: fiftypups@gmail.com Caption competition Post: Forward, Guide Dogs, Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3YG Email: forward@guidedogs.org.uk Pets at Home VIP Club Visit: vip.petsathome.com ebay FOR CHARITY Visit: www.charity.ebay.co.uk Close.