Accessible Obedience For Handlers With Mobility Challenges
Meet the Team:
Our founders, Alison, Wendy, and Alistair, had the idea of competing/training with others who love obedience, but due to disabilities found it very difficult. They express that have been very fortunate to have been joined by several other fabulous people, who without their input wouldn't have Para-obedience.
Everyone on our team is committed to creating a welcoming community and supportive shows for people with disabilities. No question is a silly question, and we are always happy to help, so please feel free to contact us.
Wendy Nottingham
Founder
Area Representative: Lincolnshire
Wendy used to help people with physical challenges before she was faced with disabilities herself and forced to retire and knows first-hand how inclusion isn't always possible.
She has witnessed friends in obedience struggle with physical disabilities and be faced with having to leave the sport and community they love. Instead of giving up, she decided to give them, and people like them, a voice and an opportunity to continue to work their dogs in a welcoming, accessible community.
Through Para-Obedience, she aims to create a space where people with disabilities can have a fun day out with their dog while connecting with likeminded people on similar journeys in a positive atmosphere.
Alison Mann
Founder
Area Representative: Yorkshire
Alison owns a 4 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever called Uneq, along with her husband, Alistair, and lives with a permanent lodger 14 year old Labrador/Springer Spaniel called Kaos, and her son’s dog.
She started obedience with a CKCS in 1993, and has had 4 Tollers and 3 Collies over the years. She met her husband at flyball and they’ve been together since 2006, married since 2015.
After taking a break in 2003, she and Alistair returned to obedience in 2018, traveling to competitions with friends but didn't have a dog to work as her Toller at the time much preferred flyball.
She has just started competing novice with Uneq, gaining a few places, but due to her disabilities she has to pick venues carefully, as if the flooring is uneven, she’s unable to work.
Alistair Mann
Founder
Area Representative: Yorkshire
Alistair met his wife, Alison when they were both involved in flyball, but had to end their flyballing days due to not being able to commit to a team sport.
During Covid he was introduced by Alison to obedience, winning out of Introductory and Pre-Beginners. He currently works beginners, in which he has had a first place, and several 2nd's plus many lower placings.
He shares a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Uneq, with Alison and is a self-confessed Geek with a love for electronics. Together with James, he created the Para-Obedience website to help spread the word.
Megan Green
Area Representative: Northamptonshire
Introduction
James Peutherer
Area Representative: Leicestershire/Warwickshire
James has a 3yo Toy Poodle, Goose, and a 1yo Standard Poodle, Pigeon.
He grew up around horses and intended to work in the equine industry but when his health deteriorated it was no longer safe or sustainable and he chose to move into dog training. He joined Rugby DTC where he met many brilliant people and now teaches classes and runs the Rally programme.
James competes in Obedience, Rally, and Agility with Goose while Pigeon is in training to be his assistance dog and competed in his first Rally show earlier this year.
He has been honoured to compete at Crufts for the past 3 years and hopes to be able to show people that your disabilities don't have to get in the way of your success.
Area Representative: Warwickshire
Roy Clarke
Roy got his first dog, a working sheepdog, from Margaret Howell 40 years ago. After a year, he joined Hawksmill DTC, before moving to Coventry DTC where he achieved placings in Class B with his dog, Morgan. When Roy changed jobs and wasn't able to find time to compete, he took up ring stewarding. He then joined Rugby DTC, which he says is the best thing he's ever done, and became a trainer.
When he retired, Roy had great expectations of his new puppy, Elmleas Austin Healey, but unfortunately he became ill. This continued for several years and resulted in a kidney transplant and finally having his right leg amputated.
Roy is now able to work 10 year old Healey using his prosthetic and chose to join Para-Obedience to promote inclusivity in the sport.
Hazel French
Area Representative: Shropshire
Hazel lives in Shropshire and has been in a wheelchair for the last 12 years. She has an assistance dog, a 3 year old working Golden Retriever called Tinkerbell, and they have been competing in Heelwork to Music for 2 years.
Hazel tried Obedience previously, but found it difficult to move well on the grass and after being told by the judge that she wasn't ready, she went home and did not try again.
When she heard of Para-Obedience, Hazel was initially worried that she would have a similar experience, but found that she was welcomed instead. Everyone was supportive and, when she organised and competed in the Shropshire show, they congratulated her on her and Tinkerbell's improvement.
Briar Dunn
Area Representative: Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire
Introduction
Contact:
Telephone: 07425 913490
E-mail: info@para-obedience.co.uk
Visit our Facebook page:
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