Page 35 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • April 2009 35
Eye opening talks about Guide Dogs on offer Janet’s

Community groups and schools can learn about the work of Swindon Guide Dogs first hand from a team Puppy Skool
of volunteer speakers.
Alan Fletcher, chair of Swindon Swindon, an increase of 28 per cent raised £568 by completing the two Have some fun teaching
Guide Dogs, accompanied by his on the previous year, but more is mile fun run on Swindon Half your dog good manners and
dog, Joy, spoke to Isambard’s Year needed for the area to become self Marathon day. behaviour at one of our
7 about life with a guide dog. He sufficient. Alan or a member of the branch friendly classes
joked with the youngsters that Youngsters at Isambard are con- are pleased to visit schools with 3 Playskool for puppies
Joy is a BMW: Blind Man’s Walker sidering fundraising for the charity. their guide dog. Call him on 827589 3 Adult beginners/improvers
and acts as his GPS or Guide Dog James Willmot said he didn’t realise to discuss a date. 3 Senior Skool/advanced classes
Positioning System. how much it cost to keep a dog. “Mr www.guidedogs.org.uk 3 One to one advice & training
He explained that it costs around Fletcher’s talk was very interesting Paws for action 3 Fun agility workshops
£40,000 to train and keep a dog and his dog Joy is very calm and www.janetspuppyskool.co.uk
throughout its working life but cute. I’d like to help with fundrais- Schools are being asked to ‘paws’ for April/May course details
owners are only asked to pay 50p. ing events for guide dogs.” for one day in June to find out more Janet Garrett Dip.dog.psy MIACE MOC MSFTR
The rest is paid for by Guide Dogs Youngsters at Ridgeway School about guide dogs. Teaching resource Tel: 01793 727158
for the Blind Association, which have pledged to raise £5,000 to pay packs are available at: www.guid- [email protected]
supports 18 guide dog partnerships for a dog’s initial training, which edogs.org.uk/guidedogsatschool
in Swindon. will entitle them to name the dog.
In 2008, £18,000 was raised in Orchid Vale Primary School pupils
Brunel meets Isambard
Isambard
Year 8s
Sammie
Wheatley,
Billy White, Professional
Jacoub Bon- friendly service
ner, Niami for every aspect
Ross meet of your dog’s
Alan Fletcher
and his guide grooming needs
dog Joy, left, Collection & delivery service
and puppy Now in Evening and weekend
in train- new premises appointments available
ing, Brunel, 5 minutes from Ring Denise on
with his West Swindon 07866 507633
puppy walker www.hairofthedoggroomers.co.uk
Wendy Terry

‘Make Mine Chocolate’ “Making life better

Are You Considering a Rabbit for you and Care - always

for a Pet this Easter? your pet” Communication - we listen

Over the next few weeks, adults will be tempted to buy an Easter
rabbit for a beloved child, grandchild, niece or nephew. And a few Compassion - for you and your pet
months from now, our local animal shelters will be inundated by a
flood of cast-off bunnies. Cost - good value, great offers
Thameswood Veterinary Clinics are supporting the Rabbit Welfare
Association’s campaign ‘Make Mine Chocolate’ which aims to raise Continuity - of care throughout your pet’s life
awareness of the plight of these rabbits and to educate people before
a purchase is made. Rabbits are a big commitment and are intelligent Convenience - a clinic near you
creatures who love company.
Rabbits are now the third most popular pet but a huge proportion live Car parking - plenty!
out their days in a small hutch with little or no exercise and are often
discarded into already over full rescue centres. Thameswood
Rabbits can make wonderful pets and with the correct care, handling Veterinary
can live a long life of up to ten years.
Thameswood are offering FREE rabbit health examinations for all Clinic
bunnies already purchased and lots of advice for potential new
rabbit owners. For all rabbits under one year, you will also receive
a six-week free pet insurance cover with Pet Plan Insurance. 62 - 64 Purton Rd
Don’t Forget Swindon SN2 2LZ
A rabbit is a big commitment . . . (end of Akers Way) Thinking of a
So if you can’t commit Tel: 01793 526780 bunny for Easter?
‘Make Mine Chocolate’. Open: Mon to Fri, Free healthcare advice
For more information on 9am - 6.30pm and rabbit health
rabbit care, or to book your Sat 9am - 12noon checks in April
FREE rabbit check please
call our Client Care Team on www.thameswoodvets.co.uk
01793 526780/511267.
24 Hour Emergency Service. Tel: 01793 526780

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