THERAPET
Managed by Canine Concern Scotland Trust
Scottish Charity No: SC014924
"WE care for Dogs... and DOGS care for us!!"
CANINE CONCERN SCOTLAND TRUST 2019 ANNUAL AWARDS
Picture Above; L to R ~
Therapet Volunteer Amy McKenzie with Noodle and Honorary
Life President Douglas Ruthven
(Dog Food kindly donated by; Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd)
Picture Above; L to R ~
Area Representatives Barry Williamson and Honorary
Life President Douglas Ruthven
Picture Above; L to R ~
Aberdeen International Airport Duty Manager, Fraser Bain and Honorary Life President Douglas Ruthven
Spencer Award for Therapet of The Year
This award was donated by Tom and Dorothy Wilkins, whose Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, SPENCER, was the very first dog to be registered in the Therapet scheme, way back in 1988.
This year we have received a record 18 nominations in respect of Therapets all of whom do magnificent work and of whom their owners can be justifiably proud. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner and the selection of the winner falls to our Trustees to decide – a very difficult task indeed! All the Trustees, other than the Chairman, vote –the Chairman, is held in reserve for a casting vote in case of a tie for the award. This year the voting was extraordinarily close with just a few points separating the first three
The WINNER of THERAPET OF THE YEAR FOR 2019 is Beagle “Noodle” very proudly owned by Amy McKenzie of Ellon, Aberdeenshire and what a star she is!
Noodle has been visiting under the Therapet banner for nearly four years. This year she has made 102 visits including her weekly visits to Pitmedden Primary and Inverurie Academy, her fortnightly visits to Auchtercrag Care Home, assembles at Tarves Primary and Greenbrae Primary, PAWS Against Stress sessions at Robert Gordon University, Robert Gordon’s College, John Lewis, Midmill Primary, Scottish Rural College Craibstone and Ellon Academy as well as being one of the 14 members of the Canine Crew at Aberdeen International Airport. She also took part in the Celebrate Aberdeen Parade.
Along with the nomination in respect of Noodle we received some stunning testimonials of her work in a wide range of circumstances, unfortunately too many to detail, but here are a few extracts:
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“As Network Librarian at Inverurie Academy, I have worked with Amy and Noodle for a number of years. We are a well established team and have consistently added to what has now become part of the school’s efforts to improve literacy and wellbeing.”
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“As part of our Social Studies topic, “People Who Help Us”, we asked Amy and Noodle to visit our school to explain the vital role that Noodle plays in many peoples’ lives across the North East. A Primary 1 class room can be a noisy and somewhat unpredictable environment for an animal to work in but Noodle’s calm and soothing personality created the most wonderful learning environment for my pupils.”
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“Noodle has been coming to visit us at Auchtercrag for nearly four years. She is our special visitor and is very special to our residents. She comes in bouncing and wagging her tail and knows where to go. She is so excited to see all the residents. She calms the residents down especially in the Dementia Unit as she gives them cuddles and the residents love her to bits. Noodle is our vet special dog!”
Noodle was selected to star in the remake of our “Children and Dogs” video. The film is complete and in the coming months it will be offered to Primary Schools throughout Scotland.
Urbane Media, the producers of the film wrote:
“For the film we certainly had to put Noodle through her paces. We were amazed by how calm she stayed working in a variety of environments. Having to repeat actions numerous of times for the camera without getting bored or frustrated is just one of many things that impressed us. Noodle worked excellently with the pupils at Portlethen Primary School and didn’t seem phased by a room full of excited children.
“For a different filming project at Aberdeen International Airport with all the Therapets, Noodle certainly stood out with how friendly she was with the airport guests. In the busy environment that an airport can be, it was incredible to see Noodle as relaxed as we’d ever seen her.
“Noodle has been a star to work with in every way and we support her fully in being put forward for Therapet of the Year 2019”
Chairman Allan Sim commented:
“And so say all of us - Noodle is a very worthy winner of the Therapet of the Year 2019 award.”
Therapet Organiser
of The year
This award was donated in memory of a very special gentleman and his very special dog – Dr Morris Andrew and Daniel the Spaniel!! It was made by members of his family who agreed that it should go to the Therapet Organiser of the Year since Morris himself, as well as being a Trustee, represented Edinburgh for many years.
The Award is not voted on. The Administration Team, decides on the recipient. It is not easy an easy choice. We have so many wonderful people around Scotland who give of their valuable time and do magnificent work for the Trust and have made the Therapet Service the success it is. We thank them all.
The winner this year was one of our Area Representatives for the Edinburgh & The Lothians Area, Barry Williamson.
The Admin Team have commented:
“Barry has been a very committed, efficient and enthusiastic Area Rep and Volunteer, He joined Canine Concern in 2014 as a Therapet Volunteer and in 2016 he willingly became an Area Representative when a team was being formed to cover Edinburgh and The Lothians.
“Barry has 2 Therapets – Willow who was registered in 2014 and Fern who joined us in 2018 - who have both visited many different places with Barry, and helped bring comfort to people in differing situations.
“He went the extra mile when due to health problems, he could not drive for a substantial amount of time, by using public transport to fulfil all his commitments.
“He also took on a much bigger area than he originally covered to help out when we were struggling for Area Reps in Edinburgh.
“He visits the visits the office regularly to keep us up to date with what is happening in his area, and never complains about anything.
“We have had lots of nice feedback from people who have had visits from him or his volunteers.
“A recent quote from a newly registered volunteer -
“Can I please also just say what a great support Barry has been, in helping to get us started as Therapet volunteers. Barry, thank you.”
“So we are very grateful to Barry for his dedication to Therapet over many years, and he most richly deserves the Award of Area Rep of the Year.”
Chairman, Allan Sim commented:
“We are very sorry that Barry is having to relinquish his role as Area Representative at the end of this year but we greatly appreciate everything that he has done in Edinburgh, and we are glad that he feels able to continue be a Therapet Volunteer. He is a very worthy winner of the Therapet Organiser of the Year Award 2019.”
Appointment Of Life President
Douglas Ruthven joined as a volunteer in 1988, he became Area Representative for Edinburgh & The Lothians in 2000, a post he held until 2014, and in 2008 he was invited to become a Trustee. In 2017 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his voluntary work in the community. Recently Douglas has intimated his retirement as a Trustee.
The Rules of CCST permit the appointment of Honorary Life Presidents and to date just one has been appointed, the late Marjorie Henley Price who was responsible for creation of CCST in 1988. The Trustees decided to appoint Douglas an Honorary Life President in recognition of the tremendous contribution he has made to CCST over more than 20 years.
Chairman Allan Sim presented Douglas with a framed certificate and as our Patron, Rosemary Long, was not able to be at the lunch, he invited Douglas to present the awards.
Iain Whyte Memorial Award
The next award is the prestigious IAIN WHYTE MEMORIAL AWARD, was donated by the late Betty Lawson-Whyte in memory of her first husband who was a great admirer of the work carried out by Canine Concern Scotland Trust.
The award is made to a person, or organisation, whose work has been of special benefit to the Trust over the past year or over a period of years. Over the years some very special people and organisations have been given the award.
This year the award went to an organisation with which we have co-operated in creating a “first” in the UK, the Aberdeen International Airport and the Chairman welcomed Airport Duty Manager, Fraser Bain.
Members and volunteers will have read, in the August edition of our Bulletin, about the highly successful creation of a Canine Crew at the airport. The ‘Canine Crew’ comprises 14 volunteers and their Therapets. They attend both airside (within the airport building) and landside, the volunteers in their instantly recognisable uniforms of blue jackets and polo or tee shirts, and the Therapets wearing their Therapet bandanas and lead flashes. In rotation, two members of the Crew work a two hour slot each week. The dogs have a ‘mission’ - to calm passengers and staff and alleviate stress wherever it is most wanted!
Meticulous planning, between Fraser, and his team, and our Area Representatives for Aberdeen, was necessary before the initiative could get off the ground and we are extremely grateful to everyone involved. The publicity that the Canine Crew has received has been extraordinary, not just in the UK but worldwide.
The Trustees were delighted to make this award to Aberdeen International Airport, the inscription reads:
With gratitude and in recognition of the Airport’s co-operation in organising and welcoming the team of Therapets known as the “Canine Crew” for the benefit of passengers. The first such initiative in the United Kingdom.
Picture Above; L to R ~
Area Representative Margaret Ewing and
Honorary Life President Douglas Ruthven
Miss Matty Award
The Miss Matty Award award is for the top individual fund raiser at sponsored events. This year it has been won by Elizabeth Kay of KIngussie who, unfortunately, was not able to attend the lunch her award was picked up by Area Representative Margaret Ewing on the day.
Picture Above; L to R ~
Area Representative Margaret Ewing and
Honorary Life President Douglas Ruthven
(Dog Food kindly donated by; Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd)
Ki-Chu-Asha Stars of Hope
Memorial Trophy
The Ki-Chu-Asha Stars of Hope Memorial Trophy, which was donated by Jean Llamo, is for the organiser whose walk raised the most money. This year it was won once again by Area Representative for Badenoch & Strathspey, Margaret Ewing.
Picture Above; ~
Appointment Of Life President - Douglas Ruthven
"All photos courtesy of Barking Cat Pet Photography"
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20 year Service Awards
A few years ago the Trustees introduced 20 year service awards for members who had given 20 or more years of active participation in the Trust’s work. At that point we presented awards to 15 members and we have made a number of similar awards since.
This year three members have qualified:-
A few years ago the Trustees introduced 20 year service awards for members who had given 20 or more years of active participation in the Trust’s work.
This year two members have qualified:-
Linda Macdonald of Stonehaven who has been a regular Therapet Volunteer over the years and was a very active member of the Aberdeen team of Area Representatives from 2004 until the end of 2017
Caroline McDermott of Chirnside in the Borders was also a regular Therapet Volunteer and was Area Representative for the Borders for many years and still assists Marion Livingstone by carrying out assessments in her part of the Borders.
Both Linda and Caroline were unable to attend the lunch but their engraved vases will be delivered to them.
We thank them all for their long and dedicated service.
The Two Runners Up for Therapet of the Year Volunteer Fiona Redford with Therpet Mannie, Honorary Life President Douglas Ruthven and Volunteer Christine Fairgrieve with Therapet Carrie
Therpet Volunteers with their certificates, rosettes with Honorary Life President Douglas Ruthven
(Dog Food kindly donated by; Burns Pet Nutrition Ltd)
Spencer Award for Therapet of The Year
"Runners Up"
The voting was very close, so close that two Therapets shared the Runner-Up spot.
"Carrie", an Old English Sheepdog, owned by Christine Fairgrieve of Cumbernauld
Carrie must be one of the busiest of Therapets. She is 9 years old and has been a Therapet for 4 years.
She commenced fortnightly visits to Cumbernauld Care Home. She visits the Harry Walker Integrated Care Service nearly every week. During the year she has visited a number of care homes – Monklands House, Drumpellier Lodge and Rawyards House. She is a regular visitor to the Heather Ward at Wester Moffat Hospital and has visited various wards in Monklands General Hospital. Carrie has been involved in many phobia sessions with Clinical Psychologists at the CAMHS Unit in Coathill Hospital.
If that is not enough during this year Carrie has visited 14 schools. Some of the visits are “one off” during school Health Awareness weeks while others are for 6 weeks doing the full Reading With Dogs programme.
Also, Carrie accompanies Christine when she gives talks to interested groups.
"Mannie", a Labrador Retriever, owned by Fiona Redford of Mintlaw, Peterhead
Mannie is 7½ years old and is another extremely busy Therapet who visits:-
Abbey Court Very Sheltered Housing in Mintlaw
Allandale House Care Home in Peterhead
Grangepark Care Home in Peterhead
Peterhead Community Hospital,
Faithlee Care Home in Fraserborough
Mintlaw Primary School where he does great works with special needs children
Pitfour Primary School in Mintlaw where he visits to help promote the Clean Dog Walking Scheme.
Chairman Allan Sim commented:
“We congratulate both Carrie and Mannie for the tremendous amount that they do in their communities. The commendations that we received in respect of both of them were tremendous. They are a credit to their owners, their breeds, to dogdom and of course to the Therapet Service.”
Other Therapet’s nominated who did not quite make it into the first three places are each presented with a certificate of nomination.
Listed in alphabetical order.
"Alba", a Lhasa Apso, owned by Lauren Hayward of Lossiemouth
"Bud", a Labrador Retriever, owned by Carol McLean of Blairgowrie
"Coco & Olaf", Curly Coated Retrievers, owned by Barbara Cooney of Kelty
"Derek", a Labrador Retriever, owned by Elaine Malcolm of Aberlour
"Doug", a Pug, owned by Kate & Sean Broadley of Aberdeen
"Jilli", a Jack a Hua Jua, owned by Laura Mowat of Glenrothes
"Millie", a Golden Retriever, owned by Anne Thomson of Falkirk
"Murphy", a Springer Spaniel, owned by John & Robbie Bowman of Cults
"Penny", a Labrador Retriever, owned by Thomas Miller of Broughty Ferry
"Pippin", a Miniature Schnauzer, owned by Roslyn Todd of West Calder
"Rhum", a Gordon Setter, owned by Jocelyn Ness of Edinburgh
"Robbie", Border Collie, owned by Marylin Killen of West Kilbride
"Ruby", an Australian Shepherd, owned by Sam & Anne Murray of Cults
"Skye", a German Shepherd, owned by Jacqueline & Craig Forbes of Bridge of Don
"Tanya", German Shepherd, owned by Ian Arnott of East Kilbride
Some of the Aberdeen Canine Crew Therpet Volunteers with Aberdeen International Airport Duty Manager, Fraser Bain
