A DISABLED Cannock student triumphed in an annual dog show, thanks to his winning smile, dedication and hard work.
Jamie Dibble, 17, of Lime Road, Huntingdon, who has cerebral palsy in both legs, impressed judges at Rodbaston College’s Premier Animal Care Fun Dog Show enough to scoop a trophy known as The Jack Award, given to the most outstanding student.
The trophy was supplied by Chris Deakin of Haughton- based Benefit Dog Training and is named in memory of her late Border Collie Jack, who used to be a star of the show, designed to include students with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties.
Thirty-one students trained for more than three months for the three-hour event, which has been running for seven years and is held for those on a foundation level course in animal care.
Programme Manager, Gill Collins, who led a team to launch the show said: “Students work in mixed teams, of mixed abilities, demonstrating their own strengths and supporting those of lesser ability.
“It also involves a host of basic skills such as teamwork, communication, co-ordination, organisation and confidence.”
Prizes were also given for demonstrations, dog obedience, team games and dog agility.
Gill said that Jamie was awarded the Jack trophy, not just for his skills in the show with his companion, Midge a four-year-old Jack Russell, but also for all his hard work since training started.
She said: “Jamie may struggle physically but this was not the reason he won. He never complained once, but threw himself into it, trying hard at everything and always had a smile on his face.”
Jamie, who hopes to be a vet, said he was delighted to have won, but that he enjoyed taking part – with or without a trophy.
He said: “It was brilliant and winning the prize made it even better.”
Gill added that around 80 people had come along to watch the show. The students also raise money before the event, to buy equipment and this year raised more than £400 after taking part in a sponsored walk.
“It gives me huge pleasure and satisfaction when parents and guardians are near to tears, if not in tears,” she said.
“They are so grateful that their son or daughter has managed to stand up and perform when at the start of the year, they were nowhere near as confident. It’s such a great tribute to all their hard work.”
Watch this space for pictures from the event.
The tipping point of my dog was when my neighbors started to complain about my dog's constant barking and growling at their kids. That was when I went on a personal mission, and spent hundreds of dollars and years reading tons of books and watching videos. I even took my dog to obedience school in my attempt to turn her into a better, more manageable pet. But the frustrating part was that some of the things I learned were useful, but most of it was WRONG--most of it simply didn't work when I tried it! Thank you for the useful post.
Posted by: Mariya | July 11, 2008 at 05:52 AM
Nice post... I had a lot of problems with one of my dogs and I had no idea how to deal with it. My dog would bark constantly, break everything that she would get her mouth around, steal food from the table, run after cars. She even tried to bite the neighbor's kid. I was so frustrated with all her annoying behaviors that were driving me crazy. I got sick and tired of not being able to control her. I couldn't stand the idea that I was going to spend years to come with this mad dog.
Posted by: Mariya | July 11, 2008 at 08:37 AM