Reading Dogs for children

A little story about a change of lifestyle which stemmed from our first visit to the training ground to watch the Upbeats in training. The original visit certainly opened my eyes to the efforts the parents/guardians go to just to attend the training ground, one lady in particular getting 3 buses from Sydenham to New Eltham and a Gentlemen that drove from Chelmsford so their children could spend an hour and half playing football. Then there was the enthusiasm shown by the Upbeats not only when they score a goal on the pitch but how they greet members of staff or each other as they assemble every saturday for training.

It certainly made me look at life a little differently and pursue what I wanted to do with my dogs, Baileys temperament made him perfect for the environment around youngsters and their unpredictable behaviour, so gone was the protection work we did with him and we started visiting schools both special needs and mainstream schools including 3blokes school in Bexleyheath.

After relocating down here and eventually retiring early, I started a little training school just stop boredom setting in and helping folk out I've never been a fan of the wording "Dog Trainer" as Mrs Redmidland pointed out more than once invariably the issue is the other end of the lead. Steadily grew my dogs reputation and a tv appearance did them no harm although it wasn't something I was comfortable with and I would happily say I hated it outside of raising the profile of my dogs, even Gabi Rosalin seem to wanted to concentrate on what you read in the papers when asking about Bailey when we appeared on the BBC.

This led to me be contacted by a local radio station who asked to met them at the paddock, I think this was the week after @man_at_milletts visited with his family so that made the topic of conversation quite easy and the following month I went onto the radio for an hour and spoke about the visits to the Upbeats and local schools.

We were also contacted by local school we had visited last year with a proposal that both Bailey and Valli become "Reading Dogs" for children who struggle to read aloud in class and publicly. The proposal has been agreed in principle with all necessary paperwork currently being checked by the local authorities in return as the school informed me I wouldn't be paid, although registered as an employee the school has offered us the full exclusive use of a 4 acre cricket field which is all secure and perfect for our dogs to run free in return for the service, something I would willing do for nothing.

But for a humbling appearance at Sparrows lane all those years ago I would not have the best job in the world and no money could buy what I get in return for walking into a classroom or assembly hall with one of my dogs.

So thanks CL, each and everyone of you.