IN THE light of the ongoing tragic events in Afghanistan, I wanted to take the opportunity to write about some positive activity happening for injured service people.

Canine Partners is a charity which trains dogs to help people with disabilities. Visit caninepartners.co.uk for more details.

The charity has already provided assistance dogs to a number of people injured whilst serving in the Armed Forces.

It trains dogs for two years to help people with mobility problems, including lifting, reaching, stretching and fetching.

Its highly trained animals can respond to an array of commands, including turning on lights, opening doors, pressing the button on lifts and pelican crossings and collecting items in the shops and carrying them to the check-out.

In short, many of the tasks which people with disabilities may find only too difficult or tiring to complete.

Susi Rogers-Hartley lived for her sport before sustaining an incomplete spinal injury while in the Royal Navy.

She says: "It was a dark time for me. I was in a lot of pain.

"I became a recluse, never wanting to go out and I lost all my confidence.

"Within two weeks of being partnered with Lex, we were sailing around the Isle of Wight on a wheelchair friendly yacht. Canine Partner Lex gave me my confidence back and a reason to get up in the morning."

Canine Partners has now established a specific working group, with the active encouragement of the Chief of the General Staff, to put the word out to service medical establishments, charities and case officers, that these amazing dogs are there almost for the asking, with a waiting list of only six to 12 months followed by the relevant application process.


Colonel Terry Knott