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.

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’…

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:

CORK COLLEGE SUPPORTS IDFD

The Presentation Brothers College in Mardyke, Cork excelled themselves by doing an CSPE Project and raising over 300 euros in support of our charity,  the photograph shows those involved, taking time out from their exams together with two trainee puppies also in the photograph is Jenny Harris. We extend our thanks, good wishes and success with their exams

GER DILLON GIVES UPDATE TO THE AIGRC AT THEIR FUNDAY

Ger Dillon, CEO of the Irish Dogs for the Disabled was invited to attend the third All Ireland Golden Retriever Club Funday held at the Curragh, Co Kildare. Ger was able to thank the Club for its continued support and assistance, her presentation created lots of interest from the fifty or so of those in attendance





photo left shows Ger with helpers at the Golden Retriever Funday

photo courtesy aigrc.com

January 2010

MINISTER MARY HARNEY OFFICIATES AT JACK AND AGGIE'S GRADUATION
€75,000 Grant awarded by Lottery Commission 

Emer Sherry and John Caldwell's nine year old son Jack together with his golden retriever assistance dog 'Aggie' graduated at a ceremony in Dublin. Minister Mary Harney presented Jack with his graduation mortar board.  Jack, who suffers from ataxic cerebral palsy had difficulty in walking without falling. But now he has Aggie who provides stability to Jack whilst walking and gives him that confidence that enables him much greater independence.  Minister Harney was instrumental in sponsoring the Charity in making a National Lottery successful application for funds, resulting in Irish Dogs for the Disabled receiving €75,000.

Ger Dillon, CEO of the Charity spoke of the importance of the lottery grant, ‘this sum enables us to continue our training of assistance dogs, we have twelve in partnership to date and we hope to add the same number in 2010.’  The young Charity has no government funding and relies on donations and raising money with calendar sales and support from events organised by volunteers.  It costs €15,000 to train each assistance dog and the training can take over one year, sadly not every dog makes the grade however alternative homes are found for those not qualifying.

Ger added, ‘Minister Harney has shown us much appreciated interest and readily agreed to officiate at Jack and Aggie’s graduation, we are most grateful for her valuable time’. 

To read an account of the benefits and changes that Aggie has made to Jack's life read Emer and John's account here. 

Photo shows Minister Mary Harney with Jack and golden retriever Aggie.

What the Press said about Jack and Aggie:
The Independent
The Irish Times
Gay Byrne talking about Jack and Aggie (mp3)

Waiting for the Minister to Arrive - run your cursor to get individual's name:

photo courtesy Tom Keogh LIPF

December 2009

‘TEENAGE BALL’ HELPS TURNS PAWS INTO HELPING HANDS

A big thank you to Alison MacSweeney, Arina Chereshneva, Holly Conroy and Katie Crowley who organised a ‘Teenage Ball’ at the Imperial Hotel, Cork to sponsor ‘Carly’, the newest recruit at Irish Dogs for the Disabled.  The funds raised of €1,295 will help support Carly through her first year’s training. Thank you to all who supported this worthy cause.

Photo: (l to r) Arina Chereshneva, Assistance Puppy Carly and Alison MacSweeney

November 2009

PAULINE BEWICK, OUR NEW PATRON LAUNCHES OUR CALENDAR
Irish Dogs for the disabled are honoured that Pauline Bewick, the Kerry based artist, has agreed to be our Patron.  Pauline attended the launch of our calendar at the Nano Nagle Centre in County Cork.  Ger Dillon our CEO welcomed Pauline who spent some time meeting other guests including Clodagh Mangan and Abbie who have recently graduated.  Click here to learn more about Pauline Bewick.

Pauline Bewick, Patron of Irish Dogs for the Disabled with Clodagh at the launch of the Charity's 2010 calendar

OUR NEW PUPPY CRECHE

A big thank you to the ‘People in Need’ Trust for allocating funds of €20,000 towards the development of a purpose built puppy facility for Irish Dogs for the Disabled.
 
This specially designed puppy facility enables this young Charity to provide 24 hour care in a sterile safe environment at a critical time in their puppies’ development.  Click here to read the full press release

Puppies can be safely fed and exercised in the facilities provided by the new crèche

October 2009

ENNISKEANE HELPS TURN PAWS INTO HELPING HANDS
Charity 'waxing lyrical' over marathon effort - but it was a close shave!