Young Kennel Club Groomer of the Year profile – find out what inspires this year’s winner – Morgan Tait-Shoosmith

Dreams Can Come True

Hard work, a willingness to learn and a love of dogs are the qualities that Morgan Tait-Shoosmith – winner of Groomer of the Year at this year’s Young Kennel Club (YKC) competition at Crufts – has in bucket loads.

The 14 year-old from Herne Bay in Kent was crowned Groomer of the Year at Crufts with her Cockerpoo, Stitch.

This was not her first success at the well-known show, for Morgan had already made her mark as an 11 yearold when she won the YKC Groomer of the Year in 2019.

Morgan also won the highly acclaimed Crufts Handler of the Year title – an award based on successful dog handling throughout the four day show.

To achieve such great overall success took her by surprise. She said: “I was delighted to win and never dreamt that I would as the standard was so high.”

Good grooming is probably in Morgan’s genes as her mother Allison, has her own successful dog grooming business in their home town of Herne Bay.

Allison commented: “Morgan is very gifted in the way she handles the dogs and has a deft touch when it comes to grooming them.

“Her industry role models are Alison Rogers, Georgia Ashton Fuller, Kirsty Young and Fiona Brook. Fiona was her judge in the competition and heaped more pressure on Morgan, so it was a massive achievement for her.”

Morgan suffers from ADHD and sometimes struggles with being in the spotlight. Allison explains: “She was diagnosed with ADHD when she was five and we struggled to get her focused on anything at that time. Getting involved with the dogs proved the best medicine and has given her a new lease of life. She doesn’t like a lot of attention, so I was delighted when she told me she felt confident enough to enter the competition. Winning at this level has given her an enormous boost and we are both overjoyed.”

We wish Morgan every success for the future. She has just been confirmed as an ambassador for Wow grooming.

Morgan Tait-Shoosmith with Stitch

Delicious dinners for canine companions in support of Veterans With Dogs

Devon-based charity Veterans With Dogs has teamed up with Forthglade, Devonian natural dog food makers, to unveil a delicious limited edition turkey dinner for dogs, to support the charity’s focus on training and providing assistance dogs to Veterans suffering from mental health conditions such as PTSD.

To support Veterans With Dogs, Forthglade has contributed £15,000 to the care and training of two assistance dogs, which includes a years’ worth of food and care for the pups whilst they are trained into important companions for Veterans who need them the most.

A staple from Forthglade’s grain free range, this much-loved recipe has been given a makeover to support Veterans With Dogs. Being grain free and containing no fillers, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, this gentle recipe is ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies.

The meal is packed with 75% turkey and includes tasty sweet potato and vegetables. With added vitamins and minerals, the complete recipe provides dogs with everything they need to stay fit and healthy. Gently steamed to retain as much natural flavour and goodness as possible, the grain free wet meal is suitable for dogs aged from 1 year+. It is available in a convenient 395g tray, RRP £1.59.

Craig MacLellan, founder of Veterans With Dogs explains “We’re really excited that Forthglade has created this special pack for us to help support the charity, it means a great deal to us. Having their continued support helps us fund the training and placement of assistance dogs for Veterans, and raises awareness of the significant impact that assistance dogs have on improving the lives of Veterans suffering from mental health conditions, following their time in the Armed Forces.”

David Cox, CEO, Forthglade says, “We hope the Veterans With Dogs limited edition meal helps raise awareness of this important charity. Mental health and wellbeing can be so positively impacted by the

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Devon

companionship of a dog, and these hero dogs can truly transform a Veteran’s life. Alongside the limited-edition meal for dogs, we’re really proud to be sponsoring two future hero pups throughout their Veterans With Dogs training programme.”

For further detail on the limited edition ‘Hero Dog’ meal, or to learn more about the charity, visit www.forthglade.com or to stock the product contact trade@forthglade.com.