Army veteran Diane Newton has always had dogs, and she has amassed a haul of competitive trophies in areas like obedience. However, her victories in the canine world stopped being fulfilling, and she wanted her success to benefit others. So she looked into becoming a volunteer puppy socialiser for Sheffield-based Support Dogs. The national charity trains and provides specialist assistance dogs to help autistic children, as well as those living with epilepsy or a physical disability, to live safer, more independent lives.
Dianne, 71, of Ranskill, a village between Doncaster and Retford, felt that by helping to nurture a Support Dogs puppy, she would gain huge pride knowing it had gone on to become someone's lifeline. Speaking during Volunteers' Week, which aims to celebrate the contributions of those who give up their time for selfless efforts across communities, Dianne said: "I look at it like 'the three Ps'. The pleasure of the dogs when they are puppies, then you get the pain of when they leave you – it's emotional, but you know it's going to happen, then the pride of seeing them as adult dogs out in the world, making a difference."
Dianne, a retired Army warrant officer, and her partner Sheila Janson, a 70-year-old retired staff sergeant, have been volunteer puppy socialisers for around five years. They got involved after Support Dogs held an information session at the Cani Cross (cross country running with dogs) group they attended.
Fox Red Labrador Essi, the first pup the couple took on, has since gone on to graduate as a disability assistance dog, supporting a woman in Nottinghamshire who has rickets and uses a wheelchair. Essi helps her to get undressed, can unload the washing machine, opens doors and fetches help – meaning the client does not have to lean on her family. Then came black Lab Nix and yellow Lab Kibo, who have been earmarked for Support Dogs' epilepsy seizure alert programme, training to give a 100 per cent accurate advance warning to an oncoming seizure – a potential life-saver.
Diane and Sheila are currently looking after Fox Red Lab Sage, who turns nine months old next week. "Sage arrived when she was eight weeks old," said Diane. "She's a lovely dark colour, and she's a smashing dog. She came from the same breeder as Essi, so somewhere along the line, Essi is her aunt. She's been no trouble. What I love about volunteering is just having the dog and improving it so it can go on and just make that difference. To anyone considering becoming a Puppy Socialiser with Support Dogs, I would say 'go for it and enjoy every minute'. We've always had fantastic support from the Puppy Co-ordinators, and there's always someone at the end of the phone. And all equipment is provided, with expenses covered, and if you want to go on holiday, there's holiday cover."
As well as the pride of seeing the dog going on to benefit others, there are other benefits to volunteers. In a recent survey of Support Dogs' 200 volunteers, 89 per cent said that since becoming a volunteer, they had become more physically active, and 78 per cent felt they have more purpose and feel healthier.
Support Dogs chief executive, Rita Howson, said: "We couldn't do what we do without the dedication and commitment of our 200 amazing volunteers, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for their support – they are truly the backbone of our charity and we are forever grateful."
To find out more about Support Dogs, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800. Location: Ranskill.
