Dogs Trust celebrates successful service dogs
Image (C) Dogs Trust/Service Dogs UK.
Six superstar dogs have graduated from Service Dogs UK, after being adopted from animal welfare charity Dogs Trust.
The graduation event took place in Leatherhead, Surrey on 26 November.
Service Dogs UK is an internationally accredited post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assistance dog charity, which runs a programme partnering rescue dogs with an aptitude for assistance dog training with veterans.
The successful canine graduates have now formed partnerships with veterans from the Armed Forces and Emergency Services, and Dogs Trust is celebrating the good news by raising awareness of the Service Dogs UK's vital work.
All the graduating dogs this year came from two Dogs Trust rehoming centres, Salisbury and Newbury, and are now qualified to do tasks such as waking their handler from nightmares, fetching medication and interrupting anxiety attacks and depressive behaviour.
Other tasks the dogs can do include taking their handler to the nearest exit when they are overwhelmed, and positioning themselves to provide physical comfort and support when needed.
Gary Botterill, founder and operational director of Service Dogs UK, discussed the programme: “We see veterans change before our eyes as they go through the challenging but rewarding programme.
“There is a real sense of ‘saving each other’ as the veteran and dog work together as a team towards accreditation.
“The sense of accomplishment for the veteran is often something rarely experienced since being diagnosed with PTSD.
“Veterans who previously struggled to go out of the house and have any social contact, now with an assistance dog by their side, find they can meet with others. It is a new and bright beginning.
“Our annual graduation event is always a highlight of the year where we celebrate the dedication of our team and our successful new partnerships. Dogs Trust has been with us from the start.
“We are proud and grateful to be working with them to give dogs from rescue the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our charity’s motto is ‘changing lives two at a time’ and our graduation event gives us the chance to celebrate these changed lives.”
One successful graduating partnership was RAF veteran Lee, and his Labrador cross Barkley. After coming into the care of Dogs Trust's Salisbury Centre, manager Claire noticed that he had the qualities necessary for a service dog partnership.
Lee discussed his partnership with Barkley: “He’s changed my life because I don’t feel I can die now, I’ve got to be here to look after him.
“The work of Service Dogs UK is incredible, without the charity I don’t know where I would be. They have given me my life back.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
