A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR RAF FAMILIES
…And from the previous story comes the Creation of a New (soon not to be)
Unruly Squadron A
new Squadron has been created. At the moment its members are unruly, reluctant to obey, have one
eye on the biscuit barrel guys but, as with all recruits, they are about to be pulled into line…
Hounds for Heroes is pleased to announce the arrival of its newest recruit, Red 4. Red 4 is one of six pedigree puppies recruited for Hounds for Heroes. The yellow Labrador Retriever is being trained as an assistance dog for injured and disabled men and women from both the Armed Forces and emergency services.
Group Captain Ian Tolfts, Chairman, said: “It is extremely poignant that we have Red 4 in training as a living tribute to Jon Egging. Red 4 will go on to serving his partner and doing his duty, just as Jon did. We hope he will be a true ambassador for Hounds for Heroes”.
Selected for their sociability and cheerfulness, by the end of their training, these six pups, who form the very first squadron for the new charity, will be able to open doors, help their owner out of bed, open and shut cupboards, operate light switches, empty the washing machine, operate a pedestrian crossing, get cash from a cashpoint and order a pint. All the essentials needed to aid military personnel who can no longer work.
16 Envoy Spring 2012
Charity founder and vice chairman Allen Parton said: “When the guns go quiet on the battlefield, the battle with injury, trauma and bereavement are only just beginning. After my own experience during the first Gulf war, a group of us realised there was a need for an individual organisation that only places dogs with Service personnel. Seeing the advert for the RBL’s Poppy Appeal, which said: ‘Remember the 900,000 Service people with a disability’ we set out to form a charity to help other injured Service personnel like me”.
Allen’s dog Endal
Allen had a labrador Endal, who had failed his training with a charity. Gradually Allen built on Endal’s training, tailoring his tasks to his own specific needs. Perhaps Endal’s most heroic moment (caught on CCTV) was in 2001, when both he and Allen were hit by a car. While Allen lay unconscious, Endal put him into the recovery position, covered him with a blanket, retrieved his mobile phone from under a parked car and barked for help.
Allen said: “This may sound far-fetched, but Endal had been taught that if I fall over, he must grab my shoulder and pull me over onto one side. He’s also been trained to retrieve a blanket stored underneath my wheelchair. Endal is no longer with us but before he died he gave me a final gift. It was the first time I’d cried since 1991. He made me feel again”. Allen now has another dog EJ (short for Endal Junior).
Huge beginnings Allen said: “We set out to raise the first £100,000 because we worked out that it will cost £20,000 per dog from its training to the eight years or so it will be with its new owner. We are going to be paying all the dogs costs because we don’t want a young Service person, who may have a family, worrying about dog food or vet bills.
“Honesty, I have been humbled by the response and how much the Armed Forces want this charity to happen. We set out to fundraise without a product because we needed the money in the bank and it has just poured in.
“All three Armed Forces have embraced our vision, and money has been arriving from all over. A £44 cheque came from a frontline group in Afghanistan, who started a swear box. The Tower of London’s Beefeaters sent £300. And an ex-naval man sent his day’s salary when he worked during the recent strikes.
The puppies
Each of the puppies has an Armed Forces name (members of the public can pay £5,000 to name a puppy, but must stick to the theme) and they will go through training in squadrons. The first recruits are Monty, named after Field Marshal Montgomery and Colonel after Colonel David Sime. Flanders got his name from the battlefields of the First World
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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