Crafty Dog Blog

Steve Gill and his Assistance Dog Farley have reached the final of The Kennel Club’s Friends for Life Award to be announced at Crufts (5th-9th March 2009). Steve, who lost both legs and eye in a bomb blast in Belfast 20 years ago, was partnered with his black Labrador Farley in 2006 by Dogs for the Disabled – the national charity that trains assistance dogs to help disabled people lead a fuller, more independent life.

Steve and Farley will be joining five other nominees in the main arena at the world’s largest dog show Crufts on Sunday March 8th for the announcement of the winner of this prestigious competition. The winner will be decided by a public vote, to be launched in the next few days via the Crufts website.

Despite using artificial limbs to walk short distances and a wheelchair when he has to go further afield, Steve leads a busy life as the father of five children, a basketball player/coach with the Leicester Cobras team and a mentor to other disabled ex service personnel. His matter of fact view about what happened to him - “I was doing my duty and got unlucky” – combined with his courage and determination to enjoy life to the full makes him the inspirational person that he is today.
Steve describes Farley as “more of a mate than a dog” and says he is “the missing link in the chain for the whole family”. By this he means that as well as helping him by picking up objects and fetching things, Farley is his constant companion which gives Steve and his wife Deon, extra confidence to get on with all aspects of their hectic daily family life without feeling restrained by Steve’s disabilities.

When you see Steve and his dog together the affection and respect they have for each other is obvious with Farley following Steve where ever he goes and always keeping an eye on him and Steve giving the handsome hound a proud pat or hug at every opportunity. They are both full of life and personality - a perfect match!

“It is phenomenal that we got paired with each other. Having Farley in the house with us all is brilliant – the whole family loves him – and the task work he can do is a huge bonus. At the end of the day he is a dog, he’s not superman, he’s a typical dog who helps me out and is my best friend. When I am at home on my own with the kids it gives me reassurance knowing he is here just in case anything goes wrong,” explains Steve.

He hopes that his nomination as a finalist in the Friends for Life awards will showcase the work of Dogs for the Disabled and highlight how the charity can help other people make the most out of life with the help and companionship of a specially trained dog.

Dogs for the Disabled had a finalist in last year’s Friends for Life awards and won the trophy in 2006 for another partnership Daniel George with his chocolate Labrador Assistance Dog Yogi.

“Being nominated once again is a huge pat on the back for everybody involved with Dogs for the Disabled and is yet more recognition of the important work we do and how it changes the lives of disabled people all over the UK,” says the charity’s Chief Executive Peter Gorbing.

To vote for Steve & Farley call 0901 0100611 or text FARLEY to 83088

Calls cost 50 pence per call from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary. Calls from mobiles will be considerably more. Texts cost 50 pence per text plus your standard network rate. The final results will be available on Crufts Live TV at 20.10hrs on 8th March 2009. Please note that anybody entering the vote before or after the vote open period may be charged but the vote will not be counted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAnZIACPbn8 see farley at work here

i just watched the video i hope they win

Will be voting for them. Sandra

T, have texted my vote for steve and farley. They cetainly deserve to win. xx Doreen

Thanks D. we have won "friends for life" award at crufts for the past three years. the organisation has so much respect at crufts now that this year they are in the centre ring. I wish i could go but it is too stressful for katie