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This page was last updated on
28/09/2011
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August
2011
Furry 5 K Walk a Great Success
Over
many towns in Ireland the 'Furry 5K Fun Walk' was completed and once again
the Irish public gave generously to our Charity, we are so grateful to all
of the organisers, helpers, walkers and dogs. A special thank you to
An
Garda Síochána who assisted us with safety, many of whom also made a cash
contribution, thank you! Go to our Facebook page
here
Visit our Facebook Wall
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A great turn out in Dublin for the Furry 5K funwalk |
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July 2011
Dungarvan
Fun Walk Boosts Funds for Charity
Here are some of the photographs taken at the recent Dungarvan Fun Walk
where at least fifty dogs were all taken for a walk in aid of the charity.
Jennifer Dowler, CEO, was delighted with the turnout particularly as the
weather wasn't that nice. Everyone enjoyed their participation and it
is hoped that other similar events can become a regular feature that
contributes to the charity's much needed funds. Thank you to all that
organised this event and who took part we are most grateful.
These four girls look happy despite the weather! |
CEO Jenny with two assistance labradoodles |
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A
group photo taken before the start of the Dungarvan Fun Walk |
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June 2011
Petworld
launches National Furry 5k Fun Run and Walk for Irish Dogs for the Disabled
Today
(Tuesday 21st June 2011) staff from Horkans Petworld in various locations
around the country and clients and dogs from Irish Dogs for the Disabled
will outline their plans for a an energy fuelled dog event which will take
place on Sunday 7th August in locations around the country. The Petworld
Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk will be a fantastic fun event combined with the
opportunity to help a really worthwhile national charity, Irish Dogs for the
Disabled.
for further details see
here or visit
Petworld site
More details are on our Facebook page! |
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Jennifer Dowler being presented with the cheque from
Scoil Rince ui hEigeartaigh,
with Ava O’ Sullivan, Johnaton Horgan and teacher, Maureen Hegarty
photographed with trainee dog Ella |
Thank you
Scoil Rince ui hEigeartaigh
(Hegarty School of Dancing)
Scoil
Rince ui hEigeartaigh, a Kerry and Cork based school of Irish dancing, run
by Lisa & Maureen Hegarty, held a fundraising drive at their feis recently
for the ’Irish Dogs for the Disabled’. “Each year, they hold a fundraiser
for a local/children’s charity. This involves setting up a shop at the feis,
which is run by the parents from the class, and all profit from the shop is
given to the charity. Children and parents bring buns, cakes and sweets and
these are all sold at the shop. They have found it to be a fantastic way of
fundraising and putting a little back into society where it is needed.”
This year the school chose ‘Irish Guide Dogs for the Disabled’ to be the
beneficiary and we are so grateful to them for raising over €400 which will
go towards the cost of providing training to our assistance dogs.
Thank you to the staff, parents and children of Scoil Rince ui hEigeartaigh.
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Grafton
Street Success
Sinéad
and all the team at Irish Dogs for the Disabled would like to say a huge
THANK YOU to all who volunteered over the weekend of 10th & 11th June on
Grafton Street!
A
special thank you to Nicholas, Amy & Katie ,Anne, John, Lucas, Noah &
Assistance dog Elkie, Heidi, Joanne & brother Ciarán, Sarah & Fearghal,
Michelle, Jacinta & Noel, Mary, Orla & Assistance dog Alice, Tom & Julie and
puppies Bruce, Cody, Ella, Dara, Darcy & Clodagh!
It's
with your help and the help of all our volunteers around the country that
allow us to continue to provide our much needed assistance dogs. Thank you
for your continued support!
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-Puppy
Socialisers on Grafton Street. Ferghal, Amy, Sarah, Joanne & Michelle with
puppies Bruce, Cody, Dara, Darcy & baby Ella. :) Thanks guys for coming in
today and a special thank you to Anne & Elkie for their help in the morning.
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Julie, Michelle, puppy in training Ella, Assistance Dog Alice, Orla, Noah,
Assistance Dog Elkie, Anne,
Lucas, Tom and puppy in training Clodagh. |
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Darcy, asleep on the job! |
All the nice boys loves a sailor!
Katie & Amy with pups Cody & Bruce |
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May 2011
Scoil
Oilibhéir Naofa - 'Dressing Down For Us'
'Irish Dogs for the Disabled' would like to thank all the children at Scoil
Oilibhéir Naofa, Kilcloon, Co. Meath who contributed to their fund-raiser
during the week. The raffle for the cuddly dog was won by Molly Donegan in
Sixth Class. Sinead, the dog handler, was so delighted with the children's
welcome to Bruce, Brandy and Darcy the children will all get a Lolly to
celebrate this Monday the 30th. They are also allowed have an extra No-
uniform day Monday 30th May. Thank you all on behalf of Alan and his
assistance dog 'Brandy' and the Carrigan family!
You
can visit the school website at
www.kilcloonns.com |
Alan and Brandy in
training |
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Irish
Dogs for the Disabled rely entirely on donations from the generous public
these donations collected at our various flag days throughout Ireland are
manned by our volunteers who brave the weather and do a magnificent job for
us. The photo on the right was taken last week-end at the Limerick
flag day and shows the Caldwell family out in force 'manning the buckets'.
We are most grateful to the public and to our volunteers - A BIG THANK YOU!
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John and Emer Caldwell with their Sons Michael and Jack
and Jack's dog Aggie, with Deirdre and Daphne |
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March 2011
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Thank You
To Finisk Funride
We
were so grateful to the Finisk Funride who have over the years raised over
€170,000 for some very deserving charities and this year we were chosen.
Each year they do a 12 mile funride from Villierstown to Modeligo every step
in aid of a deserving cause, thank you to all associated with the Finisk
Funride. Photo to the left was taken at the cheque presentation:
back row standing: Mossy Kelly, Jack Hennessy, David
Osbourne, Tom Scanlan and Sean Osbourne,
middle row standing: James Maher, Thomas Osbourne, Rachel King, Franny Dwane
front row: Mary Curran, Mike O'Donnell, Nora Hally, Gillian King, Lar
Fennell (Chairman of Finnisk Funride),
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Lucky Coco
This photo shows the
Desmond family who volunteered to become one of the charity's puppy
socialisers they are pictured with Coco. Coco is not going to go into
final training as an assistance dog and as they all got on so well we have
decided to allow Coco to permanently remain with them. They look so
well suited to each other.
In the photo with Coco
are the Desmonds from left to right: Emily, John, Anna and Tom.
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Crufts Winner
Shauna McGrourty is a golden retriever enthusiast
she owns the Tamniarn Kennel in Northern Ireland and produces quality show
and working golden retrievers. Last year she generously
donated one of her puppies to our charity and Danny came into our care, he
was such a fine specimen that we decided that he should be singled out as a
stud dog. Meanwhile Shauna kept Danny's sister, Bonnie, as a show dog.
She recently went Best In Show at the Golden Retriever Society of Ireland's
show and having qualified her for Crufts took first prize in the Junior
Bitch class, beating 22 of the finest junior bitches in the UK and Ireland.
Photograph to the right shows Shauna with Bonnie whose formal name is
Tamniarn Sybil - we look forward to seeing Danny producing quality puppies
for us - well done Shauna and Bonnie. |
Shauna McGrourty with Bonnie winning at Crufts
photo courtesy of Lyn Kipps
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February 2011 Ger Dillon
(21/5/1962 -
15/2/2011)
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It is with great sadness that we have to announce that
Ger Dillon our co-founder and Chief Executive Officer until December last,
has died. The Directors, Staff and all of those who knew Ger wish to
extend their deepest sympathy to Ger's husband Liam and to her two children.
Ger in founding Irish Dogs for the Disabled has made an enormous
contribution to the lives of so many who have benefited from an assistance
dog that has brought much love and independence into their lives.
Rest in Peace |
The following message has been
received from the President of Assistance Dogs International
Dear Jenny
I was very sorry and shocked to hear about the sad death of Ger. As one of
the inspirational co-founders of Irish Dogs for the Disabled Ger has had a
tremendous impact on the lives of many disabled people and she will be
greatly missed by her family, colleagues, your clients and the wider
community.
On behalf of Assistance Dogs International and Assistance Dogs Europe, I
extend our heartfelt condolences to Ger’s family, friends and colleagues.
Please do let me know if there is anything your ‘sister’ assistance dog
programmes around the world can do for you at this difficult time.
I just wanted you to know that our thoughts are with you at this very
difficult time.
With very best wishes
Yours sincerely
Peter Gorbing
President – Assistance Dogs International |
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December
2010
We Have Moved
As our charity has
grown so have our needs for office accommodation, we are pleased to announce
that with effect from the 1st January 2011 our new offices will be located
at Acorn Business Campus, Mahon Industrial Estate, Blackrock, Cork.
September
2010
Limerick Feis 'Strictly' A Winner
There was a Feis held
in on 18 - 19th September in Limerick's Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel
in aid of our Charity the event was organised by Carmel McKenna our thanks
to her and to the Comhdhail Irish Dancers. Jack Cauldwell and his assistance
dog Aggie attended together with Jack's father. We congratulate all
involved and are really appreciative that the Feis raised over one thousand
euro for Irish Dogs for the Disabled. We are awaiting the names of the
dancers in the photograph (right). |
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July 2010
Melissa
and Tracy Go The Distance
Melissa Faherty and
Tracy Macken valiantly ran the Achill Half Marathon to raise funds for our
Charity. Melissa's son Ryan recently was partnered with Bailey after
they graduated. Bailey is a 'goldendoodle' which is a cross between a
golden retriever and a poodle. We are most grateful for their marathon
efforts and support.
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Melissa (left) and Tracy after their half marathon run |
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June 2010
Lord
Mayor's Ball Raises Funds for Charity
Irish Dogs for the
Disabled attended the Lord Mayor's Ball and together with many other worthy
charities benefited from the generosity of those there. The photograph
opposite shows the
Lord Mayor and Lady
Mayoress of Cork, Cllr Dara Murphy and his wife Tanya presenting a cheque to
Jennifer Dowler and
Eimear O'Laoire.
The Charity are most grateful to all who contributed and in particular the
Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress for their support.
NEWS
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Photo courtesy of Tony O'Connell Photography
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Kerry
Tractor Rally 2nd Year Gets Bigger and Better
The Ballymacelligot
Tractor Rally which was such a huge success last year was run again with
sponsorship of the tractors heading towards Irish Dogs for the Disabled.
The Mangan family who with their extended family and friends ran the event
again this year starting from O'Riadas pub near to Castleisland. Over
one hundred tractors, many vintage and labouriously restored turned out, all
of the entrants were cheered out and back in again by Ger Dillon and
Jennifer Dowler. Proceeds will go towards the training and maintaining of
assistance dogs like Abbie who is partnered with Clodagh Mangan and provides
practical assistance to her in addition to being her best friend.
Thanks to all of those who
participated and helped on the day with particular thanks to the Mangan and
Clifford families - we really appreciate you wonderful support.
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Clodagh and Abbie with Jennifer Dowler whilst CEO Ger looks
on from the driving position |
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Above: Ger and Jennifer Cheer the returning
tractors
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Above On the day of the
Cork/Kerry match these two supporters turned out to support the Charity
(photo courtesy of Robert Boland) |
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Clodagh, Abbie, friends and supporters of the Charity pose for a group photo
(courtesy of Robert Boland) |
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2010 Flora Womens Mini Marathon –
Dublin on 7th June 2010
Well done to all who
completed the 2010 Flora Womens Mini Marathon. The rain did nothing to
dampen the spirits of the 40,397 who participated.
The Flora Women's Mini
Marathon is the biggest all women's event of its kind in the world. It has
grown steadily in numbers since it began in 1983 with its popularity
increasing significantly over the last few years.
A big thank you to all
who supported Irish Dogs for the Disabled and we will keep you posted on the
final amount raised for our ‘paws with a cause’…
Click here to see more photographs |
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May 2010
Irish
Dogs for the Disabled Gets a "Call To Arms"
The Lord Mayor and Lady
Mayoress of Cork, Cllr Dara Murphy and his wife Tanya met Ger Dillon and
several of the new trainee puppies. The Lord Mayor, his wife and
family were very interested in hearing about the Charity and allowed time
for a photo shoot:
The Lord Mayor Cllr Dara Murphy meets Bilco father of
the puppies
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The Lady Mayoress, Tanya Murphy with her daughters
holding four of the trainee puppies - sadly for them they had to hand
them back!
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The Cork coat of arms welcome mat provides a much
needed rest for 'Dalton' one of the pups. |
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