Service veterans including former members of Rye Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) and Rye British Legion Women’s Section, along with Rye British Legion and members of the public, enjoyed a very interesting talk by Gill Webb, accompanied by her golden retriever puppy Winnie, from Canine Partners on Monday evening, February 1.
Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs.
Their amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks.
These life-changing dogs also provide psychological and social benefits including increased independence, confidence, social interaction and self-esteem, and their work includes working with charities such as Help for Heroes and others who support service veterans.
Gill and Winnie demonstrated the early stages of training that Winnie as a puppy was undertaking with examples of picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and removing gloves.
Once fully trained the dogs help with everyday tasks such as opening and closing doors, unloading the washing machine, pressing buttons and switches, and fetching help in an emergency. They can even help people to get undressed and remove a card from an ATM!
Canine Partners receive no government funding and rely solely on donations from the public and legacies to help them continue their life-transforming work and the group was happy to make a donation of £30 towards their work.
The RAFA Social Club meets on the first Monday of the month during the year in the Rye Club in Market Road, and all are welcome.
A small charge of £2 is levied to cover costs, and there is a bar! Please email info@ryebritishlegion.org.uk to be kept informed of future talks..
Photo: Neale East