LOCAL CLUB AWARDED AT THE KENNEL CLUB GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME AWARDS

On Friday 23^rd January 2009, the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme (GCDS) Awards were presented at a special ceremony in London. The awards recognise the efforts of organisations nationwide which have invested their time and energy into educating both dogs and their owners to the joys of responsible dog ownership.

The Jo Belsten Canine Services, based in North Norfolk, was the second runner up of the Kennel Club Listed Status Clubs category.

Jo Belsten Canine Services was formed in 2007 with the intention of promoting responsible dog ownership in North Norfolk and Broadland.

The club provides classes held on a weekday morning, catering specifically for mothers of young children and retired people, both groups who can experience difficulty in attending evening classes. The club also has a weekly group walk on local Forestry Commission land, which encourages owners to read dog-to-dog signals and improves their control.

As well as the classes, home one-to-one dog visits are available, and the club offers sound and expert advice on all aspects of nutrition.

Now in their 10^th year, the annual GCDS Awards received over 60 entries from around the UK. The submissions were judged by members of the Good Citizen Dog Scheme Working Party and senior Kennel Club representatives, who were very impressed by both the quality of entries and dedication of the dog training clubs and local authorities.

The GCDS Awards were run in conjunction with the KC Dog Awards, which recognised the achievement of local lobbyists in challenging unfair dog control orders around the country.

Kennel Club Chairman, Ronnie Irving, said, “The winners have all done marvellous work in promoting responsible dog ownership in their local community and all deserve a huge vote of thanks. We thank them for their enthusiasm and dedication and offer our appreciation for helping us make a positive difference for dogs and their owners.”

The categories for the GCDS awards and winners were as follows:

Kennel Club Registered Training Club

Winner – Normanton Dog Training Club

First Runner Up – Nuneaton Dog Training Club

Second Runner Up – Solihull Dog Training Cub

Kennel Club Listed Status Clubs

Winner - K-9 Academy

First Runner Up – Roshaana K9 Club

Second Runner Up – Jo Belsten Canine Services

Kennel Club Registered Breed Club, Kennel Club Registered General Canine Club or Kennel Club Registered Ringcraft Club

Winner – City Of Birmingham Dog Show

Runner Up – Mastiff Association

Local Council Category – Most Effective Campaign

Winner – Wandsworth Council 

First Runner up – East Riding Council

Second Runner Up – Southwark Council

Wandsworth Council were chosen as the overall winner of the GCDS Awards for the sheer breadth of their work to promote responsible dog ownership during 2008.

ENDS

28^th January 2008

[026.09]

Caption (left to right) - Jo Belsten being presented her award by Kennel Club Chairman, Ronnie Irving

For further press information or interview requests please contact:

The Kennel Club Press Office

020 7518 1008

press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk

www.thekennelclub.org.uk

For images please contact:

The Kennel Club Picture Library

020 7518 1035

picturelibrary@thekennelclub.org.uk

www.dogimages.org.uk

Notes to Editors

GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME

- The Kennel Club believes that a trained dog is a happy dog.

- The GCDS is the largest dog training programme in the UK and trains dogs and their owners.

- There are four levels to the scheme, Puppy Foundation Assessment, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

- Around 275,000 dogs have now taken part in the GCDS.

- The Kennel Club supports Responsible Dog Ownership within local councils through annual awards. 

- For more information on the Good Citizen Dog Scheme please contact Heidi Lawrence on 0870 606 6750 ext 294 or via email heidi.lawrence@thekennelclub.org.uk.

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