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| PAT
Dog of the Year 2008 |
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The PAT Dog of the Year competition is held annually
by the charity Pets As Therapy. |
In what is Pets As Therapy’s
25th anniversary year, a very busy Simba has been chosen as the
charity’s ‘PAT Dog of the Year 2008’.
Simba, a Leonberger and his owner, Ann Burrell from Harrogate, North
Yorkshire, have been regular PAT visitors to patients and residents
at local establishments St Michaels Hospice, Cornerways Care Home,
Larchfield Manor Residential Home and The Stroke Association Communication
Group. As if this weren’t enough to keep Simba fully occupied,
he and Ann have also spent time working with children who suffer
from debilitating animal-related phobias.
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The good work that he does in providing much
needed comfort, pleasure and therapeutic relief was underlined
by the many nominations that came from staff, patients and
residents where Simba visits.
Typical comments included one from the Hospice: “The
patients’ faces light up when this gentle giant ambles
in. He is a crucial member of the team.” From the Cornerways
Care Home came the comment that “Simba is a big part
of our residents’ lives. His visits are so valuable
to their well-being. He is one of life’s true care givers,
bringing love through the door instantly to everyone he visits.
Simba is simply the best drug on the market.” |
Simba’s owner, Ann Burrell said: “I’m absolutely
overwhelmed, and so very proud of Simba. He’s my soulmate.
I can’t believe he’s been voted PAT Dog of the Year.
All of the finalists were wonderful and any one of them deserved
to be chosen.”
Simba was voted ‘PAT Dog of the Year 2008’ by a celebrity
panel that included Lisa Riley (Emmerdale and You’ve Been
Framed), Pam St. Clement (Eastenders), Pauline Fleming (Coronation
Street), James Martin (celebrity chef), Roy Hudd (all-round entertainer),
Roy Barraclough (actor, including Coronation Street) and the editor
of Yours magazine, Valery McConnell, together with Yours readers.
Simba was presented with his award by Roy Barraclough, Valery McConnell
and Tony Parkinson, Managing Director of Pets As Therapy sponsor
HiLife Pet Foods at Pets As Therapy’s 25th anniversary celebrations
held in Buxton, Derbyshire. His award comprised a cheque for £500,
three months’ supply of HiLife dog food and a specially engraved
piece of crystal. Five runners-up, who each received awards of £100,
a month’s supply of HiLife dog food and a specially engraved
piece of crystal, were Tibetan Spaniel Ellie, owned by Cheryl Vials
from Northwood, Middlesex; Crossbreed Becky, owned by Margaret McKnight
from Bangor, County Down; Cocker Spaniel Gimli, owned by Julie Hargrave
from Hinckley, Leicestershire; Shetland Sheepdog Robbie, owned by
Shirley and Ron Davies from Oldham, Lancashire; and Working Sheepdog
Ben, owned by Sara Gilding from Guildford, Surrey.
“I want to congratulate Pets As Therapy and every one of their
volunteers and PAT dogs throughout the country on reaching their
25th anniversary,” said Tony Parkinson. “It is a testimony
to the remarkable results they constantly achieve. All of us at
HiLife are proud to be playing our part in supporting such a worthwhile
cause.” At the 25th anniversary celebrations, Maureen Hennis,
Pets As Therapy’s Chief Executive told the guests: “This
year’s PAT Dog of the Year has been phenomenal. The nominations,
mainly from health care professionals, have rightly sung the praises
of PAT dogs working in the community and underline the value of
the work that Pets As Therapy volunteers and their PAT dogs have
been undertaking since our foundation in 1983. PAT dogs are true
heroes.”
Nominations for ‘PAT Dog of the Year 2008’ came
from medical staff, carers, patients and residents of hospitals,
hospices, residential homes, special needs schools and other similar
establishments throughout the country.
Pets As Therapy’s 4,100 volunteers and their PAT dogs bring
much-needed therapeutic care, smiles and friendship to over 123,000
people every week. For further information call Pets As Therapy
on 01844 345 445 or visit www.petsastherapy.org |
| PAT
Dog of the Year 2006 |
|
The PAT Dog of the Year competition is held annually
by the charity Pets As Therapy. |
Becky,
a loving eight-year-old Rottweiler owned by Margaret Thomson of
Dundee, has been voted Pets As Therapy’s ‘PAT Dog of
the Year 2006’.
Becky
and Margaret have been visiting the residents of the Camperdown
Care Home and the Ballumbie Nursing Home in Dundee every week for
the past eight years. And, says Margaret, despite Becky’s
daunting looks, everyone who meets her knows within moments why
she makes a perfect PAT dog.
“She’s
a gentle giant,” says Margaret, “very loving and never
reacts even if a resident at the care home might accidentally lash
out. She’ll just move away, then go back to sit with them
again.
“To
a lot of the care home residents, especially those who are disabled,
Becky is as close as they’ll ever come to having their own
pet – and they love her for it.”
Becky was nominated by David Petrie from the Camperdown Care Home
for residents with learning difficulties. “She has become
a valuable and much-loved member of the Camperdown family and has
even helped some of our residents get over their fear of dogs,”
he said.
Becky
was voted PAT Dog of the Year 2006 by a celebrity panel, all of
whom are active supporters of the charity, including actors Roy
Barraclough MBE, Pam St Clement and Pauline Fleming – who
is a regular Pets As Therapy volunteer herself, with her PAT dog
Doris - and TV chef James Martin, together with the readers of Woman’s
Own.
As
well as medical staff and carers, nominations came from patients
and residents of hospitals, hospices, residential homes, special
needs schools and other similar establishments throughout the country,
to whom Pets As Therapy’s 3,500 volunteers and their dogs
regularly bring much-needed therapeutic care, joy and companionship.
Becky
received her award from Roy Barraclough and Tony Parkinson, Managing
Director of Pets As Therapy sponsor HiLife pet foods, at a special
ceremony in Buxton, Derbyshire.
She
won £500 and three months supply of dog food from HiLife and
a piece of engraved commemorative crystal by Birkdale Crystal.
Said
Tony Parkinson, “All of us at HiLife are proud to be long-term
supporters of this important charity and the highly valued, worthwhile
work done by its volunteers and their dogs.”
Five
runners-up, who received prizes of £100, a month’s supply
of HiLife dog food and a piece of crystal by Birkdale Crystal, were
West Highland Terrier Taz, owned by Freda Arblaster from Walsall;
Border Collie Moss, owned by Trish Weatherley from Hextable; Crossbreed
Kola, owned by Cynthia Pitts from Crawley; Crossbreed Cassie, owned
by Ruth Boyes from Dewsbury; and Great Dane Manny, owned by Patricia
Hanratty from Wakefield.
For further information on
Pets As Therapy call 0870 977 0003 or visit
www.petsastherapy.org |
| PAT
Dog of the Year 2005
|
|
The PAT Dog of the Year competition is held annually
by the charity Pets As Therapy. The final of the competition took
place on 6th Nov and the winner was Daisy, a Border Collie from
the Isle of Man. |
| Three-year old Daisy was presented
with her award at a special ceremony in Derbyshire by ex-Coronation
Street star Roy Barraclough and Tony Parkinson of HiLife pet foods. |
 |
Daisy is a regular visitor at Springfield Grange
Nursing Home in Douglas, Isle of Man.
Daisy’s owner, Mary Sims, said:
“Daisy is an absolute star. She has been a PAT dog for
two years. She is so gentle and loves being with people. I couldn’t
wish for a better pet. At Springfield Grange they even have posters
up with pictures of her, and the residents so look forward to her
visits.”
Daisy was nominated by Jill Chinn, activities organiser at
Springfield Grange Nursing Home. Jill said:
“Everyone looks forward to Daisy and Mary’s visits.
Daisy is loved by the residents and she does a great deal to enrich
their lives.” |
Daisy’s prize includes a specially
engraved crystal glass bowl by Birkdale Crystal, a commemorative
certificate, £500 and six months’ supply of HiLife dog
food.
Tony Parkinson of HiLife said:
“The selfless work of PAT dogs and their owners and the
pleasure and therapeutic benefits they bring to so many people throughout
the year can never be over-estimated. We are proud to support Pets
As Therapy and to sponsor these Awards which honour every one of
the thousands of wonderful volunteers and their very special dogs.”
To read more about the Pets As Therapy charity, visit our Pets
As Therapy article. |
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