anine Partners is a progressive charity which aims to transform the lives of people with disabilities (“Partners”) by providing them with highly trained assistance dogs, enabling them to live more independently and enjoy an enhanced lifestyle.

Training techniques based on behaviour, play, praise and reward develop eight-week-old puppies into highly skilled and talented Canine Partners. On completion of 18 months to 2 years’ training, a Canine Partner can respond to over one hundred commands, including:

• Operating a pedestrian crossing or lift button
• Loading and unloading a washing machine
• Retrieving a wide variety of items such as keys, an inhaler, crutches or the phone and opening doors and windows
• Picking chosen items off supermarket shelves
• Passing over the purse and items at the checkout
• Assisting with dressing and undressing
• Carrying out a range of emergency response procedures

Canine Partners receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public donations and legacies.

Jake proves partner power at Westminster

Assistance dog Jake and his owner Spiro Sueref from Four Marks near Alton, travelled to Westminster on March 3rd 2004 to represent the charity Canine Partners at an event held at the House of Lords to demonstrate the beneficial effect that animals have on human lives.

Organised by the National Office for Animal Health (NOAH), the event drew interest from a cross-section of MPs and Peers. “I am extremely pleased that this event has highlighted the work of devoted animal companions,” commented NOAH Chief Executive Phil Sketchley. “It has also underlined our communal responsibility to provide them with proper care and protection with regular vaccination and good preventive healthcare."

Black Labrador Jake was one of several dogs and a pony that attended the event to represent the many thousands of animals across the country that help their human owners by providing companionship and practical assistance.

Jake’s owner 39-year old Spiro is a partner and trustee of Canine Partners, and as a Mutiple Sclerosis sufferer he finds Jake’s assistance invaluable in helping him tackle various household tasks. “I call him therapy on four legs,” smiles Spiro. “He does so many things such as picking up items I have dropped, removing my socks, fetching my slippers and bringing me my keys or crutches. I really don’t know what I would do without him.”

Spiro was able to speak directly to MPs and Peers at the event in the House of Lords, and to give first hand testament to the practical help and companionship that Jake provides.

ENDS

For further information please contact: Malcolm Wells, Canine Partners, Tel: 01730 716011 or Gail Lacey, Kendalls PR, Tel: 01394 610022