The IAIN WHYTE MEMORIAL AWARD which is made to a person or organisation whose work has been of special benefit to the Trust over the past year or a period of years.  Over the years some very special people and organisations have been given the award and this year was no exception!

As our Representative for Edinburgh & the Lothians DOUGLAS RUTHVEN has done magnificent work over many years.  He first joined the Trust in 1998 when he registered his Border Collie “CASSIE” as a Therapet.  In 2000 he registered Border Collie “HOLLY”.  Cassie died in 2005 but Holly continues to be an exceptionally busy Therapet.

When he first started visiting Douglas was under the wing of Dr Morris Andrew.  Morris was a very astute man and quickly recognised Douglas’ potential.  In due course Douglas became an assistant to Morris along with Lesley Connor.  Following the death of Morris in September 2000 Douglas and Lesley became joint Area Representatives and in January 2002 when Lesley retired from her post Douglas took over sole responsibility for the area.

Douglas has worked tirelessly in many roles and for the benefit of many.  Firstly as a dedicated Therapet volunteer in his own right at many institutions and particularly the

Royal Edinburgh Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.  In addition to the more conventional visiting he and Holly have given great assistance to psychologists in helping phobic patients.

In terms of numbers of Therapets, Edinburgh and the Lothians is by far the largest of our areas.  He may have retired from his professional career but Douglas has certainly not retired!!!!  He carries out all the assessments of potential Therapets and arranges for their placements.  He accompanies new volunteers on their first visits.  He has built great relationships with the personnel at the hospitals and homes that Therapets visit in the area.

Douglas is a member of the Committee of Management and assists at the Companion Dog Show in Glasgow every year as well as helping to man the Trust’s stand at the Scottish Kennel Club’s shows.  Increasingly Douglas is being invited by various organisations to talk about the Therapet Service and the work of the Trust.   In 2008 Douglas accepted an invitation to join the Board of Trustees of Canine Concern Scotland Trust.

In September of this year Douglas was one of the major contributors to a BBC Radio Scotland programme Medical Matters which looked at all aspects of pet therapy.