Pets as Therapy Dog of the Year.
Sunday 19th November 2006
The Palace Hotel
Buxton
Derbyshire
"Becky"
Varenka Touch of Magic at Andimar
PAT D0G OF THE YEAR
I have had Becky since she was a puppy. She was bred by Gordon and Irene Rattray in Kilmarnock who have Varenka Rottweilers and I showed her for a while and she won her class at Crufts
Becky is my first PAT Dog. I was aware of the work these dogs do, and when I showed her everyone said she was so loveable and gentle that I asked to have her assessed to be able to work as a PAT Dog, and we have been doing so for the past 8 years, including taking part in the PAT parade at Crufts (2002).
We started off at Ballumbie nursing home which is a home for the elderly, and then were asked to go to Camperdown which is a home for people with learning disabilities, and I visit both once a week. The residents in both the homes love to cuddle her and their faces light up when they see her. To a lot of the residents especially those who are disabled, Becky is as close as they will ever come to having a pet of their own, and they love her for it.
One resident at Camperdown had a fear of dogs before Becky visited and now he just loves to pat her. One other Resident shows little emotion but cuddles and kisses Becky making it so rewarding. She is the most gentle of dogs, and even when confronted by lots of distractions including a high level of noise, she just moves away and Then goes back to sit beside them again.
She was nominated for PAT Dog of the year by Camperdown nursing home and was selected by a panel of Judges to be in the last 6 in Britain. It was then up to the public to vote. Becky has many friends as she also works at special events e.g. Round Table and Rotary outings for disabled children. We also attend summer school for Handicapped children and were selected to be one of the PAT Dogs at a medical seminar in Glasgow, which was attended by doctors from around the world looking at interaction of animals with patients.
When Becky was announced as the winner I burst into tears. We had a most wonderful day surrounded by lots of lovely people and their special dogs. This was a once in a lifetime achievement, and I am so proud to have won It for the breed, for everyone who voted for her, and for all our special friends. Becky is my canine best friend, she knows exactly what I'm feeling and is my most loving and gentle companion, who holds such a large part of my Heart.
Margaret Thomson
