Case Studies

BT award is magic to dog club's ears

2010

Fiona Leadbetter from BT Retail is a deserved winner of a BT Community Champions Award for her work with the Animal Magic Dog Club in North Walsham, Norfolk.

Fiona told us about the club, "We're a community of dog owners wanting to learn and have fun with our dogs. We educate owners in how to effectively communicate with their dog using kind, reward based training methods. The club offers a fun, safe and friendly environment in which to learn.

"The club also supports the wider community by hosting visits from local schools and groups such as the Brownies, with the aim of starting the education of the dog owners of tomorrow. Most importantly we offer specialist training for dogs with behavioural problems, supporting their owners in order that these 'difficult' dogs stay in their homes. For those dogs less fortunate the club fundraises for Animal Care, a local rescue centre."

"Our greatest achievement is the success stories of dogs which we have rehabilitated and retrained, transforming them from aggressive and distressed to happy and confident animals in order that they can keep or find their forever homes," said Fiona.

"The club is also very proud that members with the appropriate skills and abilities are trained themselves to become trainers. Home grown talent from within our community is at the heart of what we do. There are two local ‘special' schools who visit us regularly whose children have learning difficulties. Seeing the children interact with our dogs is magical, the joy on their faces is so rewarding. We have been lucky enough to secure our own dedicated premises in which to train, it provides a stable, familiar environment where people come to meet, learn and most importantly enjoy life with their dogs."

Fiona has been involved with the club for two years and gives up six hours every week in her work there. She explained, "I am a training assistant, assisting the club manager in the training of agility classes. These classes build up confidence in both dog and handler and forge a strong bond between them whilst working on the communication skills of the handler and obedience of the dog.

"I also assist with administration including production of the training schedules, publicity materials and distribution of cards locally advertising the club. To fund new equipment and improve our venue the club holds shows and competitions throughout the year. To publicise the club and provide members with a social forum I created and manage the club Facebook page. I am always looking out for new and interesting ideas for the club such as running a complementary therapy workshop for owners and dogs."

We asked Fiona what her award of £100 will be spent on and how will it benefit the Animal Magic Dog Club. She explained, "The money has been spent on much needed equipment which will benefit all club members. The BT Community Champions award for this equipment will make a huge difference to the club and the community it serves and I would like to thank BT for the award. It is truly a great scheme."

Back to List of Case Studies