Hounds for heroes Canine ‘recruits’ to help disabled veterans live independently When Allen Parton founded the Hounds for Heroes charity, he made its mission clear: to provide bespoke assistance dogs for members of the Armed Forces*, serving or ex-Service, who are disabled. THE charity is now preparing to purchase its first puppies, aiming to commence training of the first five ‘recruits’ in May 2011. Allen Parton speaks with conviction, brought back from the brink by his own assistance dog, Endal. His experience as an injured Naval officer brings a valuable insight to the charity’s development. “Someone who has sustained their injury during Service will almost always have a built-in need to fight what has happened to them. They are not in denial; they are focused on survival and the need to have a normal life, “An assistance dog will not be their first idea of a solution to their problem. But it made a real difference to my family. Endal gave me back my independence, relieving the pressure on my family.
“It’s not about disability but all about promoting – ability.”
“It’s not about disability but all about promoting - ability. And it’s the dogs that
make the push for normality possible. For the right person, a dog can help that process, every four-legged step of the way.” Allen is now building a working relationship with the welfare sections of the Armed Forces and ex-Service organisations, where the referrals will be sourced by professionals already working with the rehabilitation of Servicemen and women. The Royal British Legion, Royal Navy Benevolent Trust and Royal Air Force Association have been supporting the charity from the beginning and will continue to be a major link between the Service personnel and the dogs. The dogs will not be trained to perform a multitude of ‘tricks’ but taught a basic set of tasks that can be performed well and in synergy with their human companion’s lifestyle. Allen explained, “If a client needs their dog to open and close a washing machine, then it will be taught to do so. And anyone who wants their dog to accompany them to the pub on a Friday night and put their wallet on the bar, that can be taught too! “I know from personal experience that an assistance dog can be the perfect companion, especially if they are individually trained for an individual’s needs.”
The Hounds for Heroes Team
“They can return a person’s independence and enable them to make choices again. A dog can, without doubt, open the door to a better quality of life.”
Contacts If you would like to know more about how Hounds for Heroes can support a veteran in your care, then call 07788 934455, email info@houndsforheroes.com or visit: www.houndsforheroes.com Editors Note * the assistance dogs will also be provided to injured members of the Police and Fire Services.
Allen’s assistance dog Endal Junior, performs a number of tasks to support him from posting envelopes to picking items from shop shelves
Issue 18 December 2010
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