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I became involved with the Cinnamon Trust after reading an article in the local paper about a disabled lady and her little dog.
The Trust was set up by Averil Jarvis and named after her own Corgi who died at the age of 17 years.
She realised that there were very few facilities for people who became unable through illness or age to walk their dogs. This meant that the animals suffered and their owners became very distressed. There are now over 4,000 registered volunteers who are all vetted and are prepared to take on a long term commitment. Averil extended her charity and created a Rescue Centre called Poldarves where animals can find a lifetime home if their owners die or have to go into hospital or a home where pets are not allowed. This centre does not have cages but rooms with chairs, carpets and settees so that it is as near to a home environment as it can be made. The volunteers who work here are dedicated to the animals and give them all the love and affection that they had with their previous owners. Some of the younger animals are found foster homes but most of the older ones live their lives out at the centre where they are happy and contented.
Some of the animals that come into the Centre have mental or physical problems but each one is given the best treatment possible and most are able to reach full health and enjoy the rest of their lives in happy surroundings.
Dog walking of this type means that many people who would otherwise have to give up their animals can keep them, for many of them their pet is their only companion and to have to do this would have meant of lot of heartbreak.
As I had decided not to try and replace our beloved dogs this was the perfect answer, not only was I doing something useful but I was enjoying having a dog to take out and keeping fit at the same time.
Copyright Irene Keith 2001