STAFF at a Warwickshire vets are keeping a close eye on the progress of a trainee assistance dog.
Avonvale Veterinary Centre employees raised more than £2,000 for life-transforming charity Dogs for Good which creates partnerships between people living with disability and specially trained assistance dogs.
The money – raised through everything from cake sales to Wolf Runs – went towards training Bronte, who was born in December, to become an assistance dog.
Avonvale’s group practice manager Kate Webb said: “We were thrilled to have been able to help Dogs for Good and are delighted that Bronte is our ‘Puppy Partner’.
“After everyone’s hard work fundraising it is great that the charity keeps us informed of how well Bronte is doing. She is now just over ten-months old and progressing well with her training.
“Dogs for Good tell us she is a very loving girl who enjoys human company, is always very sociable and friendly when she’s out and about and loves her puppy classes.”
Tina Williams, regional fund-raiser for Dogs for Good, thanked Avonvale for their support.
She added: “Since 1988, Dogs for Good has been making life-changing differences to people with disabilities.
“We support people with a wide range of needs including physical disabilities, autism, dementia and learning disabilities enabling them to lead more independent lives through the help of trained dogs.
“The gift of independence is priceless but the cost of training and supporting an assistance dog is not. It costs more than £22,000 to train and support an assistance dog and last year we received more than 5,000 enquiries from people who are desperate to feel the life-changing benefit of a partnership with a dog.
“This is far more than we can currently help, which is why we were delighted to have been supported by Avonvale as their charity of the year in 2018.
“With Avonvale’s support in partnering with Bronte, we can continue to make a difference to people who could benefit from the support, love and companionship of a trained dog.”
