Veteran's hope for more dogs to aid heroes
When he was at his lowest, Allen Parton turned to man's best friend for help.
Now the Gulf War veteran has founded Hounds For Heroes to help wounded ex-servicemen get support dogs for their care.
Mr Parton, who suffered a serious brain injury during the 1991 Iraq conflict and is a figurehead of the Hampshire Poppy Appeal, said: 'It's taken a lot of work but I'm really glad that we're up and running.
'I'm looking forward to the time when Endal Junior and I are not a one-off, but part of a wider service group with assistance dogs.'
Having watched numerous reports recently about servicemen who have lost limbs, the Clanfield resident contacted service charities to ask what arrangement there was to get dogs to veterans.
He could find no dedicated group, so Hounds For Heroes will become a national hub for people trying to find support.
It will also help members of the emergency services who need support.
He said: 'For me my former dog Endal saved my life, and Endal Junior has carried the support role.
'But for many in the services there is a negative image attached to needing a dog.
'We are putting together a team who can promote the dogs as badges of ability and honour.'
The dogs' jackets will bear the service emblem of the client's regiment, ship or squadron, and any medals awarded will be embroidered on to the dogs jackets.
Charity chairman Wayne Palmer said: 'I was extremely honoured to be elected chairman of this fantastic charity, where we will be making a difference for those men and women of our armed forces and emergency services who have been disabled.
'We are fortunate to have Allen and by using his experiences and help we will see our trained dogs with partners in two years.'
The charity's first objective is to launch a 100,000 fundraising appeal.
With money raised the charity will buy, train and support its first five Hounds for Heroes.
The dogs will help injured veterans with everyday tasks such as shopping.
Mr Parton said: 'Our first puppy has already been named Juno after one of the five D-Day beaches, and it's the charity's intention that all the dogs will have military or service related names.'
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
