It all started here

Although our first dog Bailey had qualified in early 2011 visits were few and far between, that was until 2013 when a group from this forum in its previous incarnation were invited to Sparrows lane to meet the Upbeats.

It escapes my memory but whatever reason we were asked to bring our dog to meet the guys, this we did and what stuck with me the most was how Bailey was with the guys, a big powerful 50+kg dog lapping up the attention and the fuss.

This drove me on , despite the knock backs consistent with working with German Shepherds we started to contact schools, organisations and groups asking if they would like to me him, some met with enthusiastic responses some no response at all, some had to be passed to the boss after asking us the supply a photo then sadly communication would cease.

We were invited to @3blokes school in bexleyheath and again watching the children develop a relationship with Bailey in such a short time was a joy to watch.

Moving home saw us having to start again building contacts when by chance I met a lady who had seen me exercise my dog and asked me to help her train hers, to which I did.

Unbeknown to me she was a school teacher locally and after a few weeks invited us to meet the school, we had gone a complete circle, after two maybe three visits we were asked about the Reading dog position and although I loved the thought I had no idea what was involved I studied what was involved and through the years got more experience and realised how the dogs helped the children, personally I grew more confidence and often speak to the whole school or parent groups even the local college invited me to speak to students studying child welfare.

Bailey , Valli and now Bowyer have helped me enjoy many an eye watering moment making breakthroughs with children, be it with reading achievements, dog fears, behavioural issues and even school attendance, by far our biggest achievement is a non verbal child saying his first word in my dogs company.

I’ve said for a long time Bowyer will be our last dog, he’s now six and like Valli before him has spent his life working with young children, losing Valli was a tough one but such is the relationship I have with our dogs breeder I wanted to let her know.

To cut a really long story short after discussions with our breeder along with the school, we’ve decided that retirement is for old people and end of February should hopefully see us bring home a new addition.

Currently only two weeks old, so in around 8 weeks we’ll be joined by our LAST puppy who hopefully will go on to become a Therapy dog and see me through to around 80 years of age by which time our dogs would have spent 25 years serving others.

It all started here……. Everything from encouraging words from you guys and girls, through to staff at the club itself.

I’ve burnt a few bridges with the club so I very much doubt our dogs will ever be seen at The Valley again but despite that I’ll never forget the part they played in this, and to you all if you ever feel our dogs can help you or your family, you know where to find us.

To everyone of you that has supported us with kind words and even financial support when it got really tough we thank you. 🙏

Here he is, no his eyes weren’t open then.
No names yet until 8 weeks, very superstitious 😉