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Sir Jack Spratticus the Border Terrier and Vanessa Holbrow aged 47 from Burnham on Sea, Somerset announced by the Kennel Club today as finalists for the prestigious Crufts dog hero competition, Friends for Life 2018, at the official launch of Crufts 2018.

Chosen from the Breed Rescue category, Border Terrier, Jack was re-homed in 2012, aged 13 months. He has helped Vanessa live with enduring complex mental health issues. VanessaÕs was JackÕs fourth home but her first dog, and he has given her stability on profound levels and offered her an existence she never imagined. Both Jack and Vanessa have had to overcome immense challenges and have bonded through intense training (obedience, heelwork to music, rally and agility classes). It took a year before Jack could even fully take part in training due to his fear aggression, but now the transformation in him has meant that he is able to do lots of different activities with Vanessa.

Together they raise awareness and breakdown stigma attached to mental health issues. Jack has given Vanessa the motivation and confidence to speak on local radio, write articles for Rethink, and together they have raised thousands of pounds for mental health charities. Jack was accepted by the organisation Canine Generated Independence in August 2017 and is now nearing the end of his training to be an official assistance dog to Vanessa. In light of JackÕs neglectful start and the opinion that he was untrainable, this little dog has grown, not only into a stunning terrier but also an amazing assistance dog who keeps Vanessa going every day. Ê

Crufts is the world's greatest dog show and this year will see more than 21,000 healthy, happy dogs competing for the coveted 'Best in Show' title as well as taking part in the many other competitions that take place at the show, from Agility and Flyball to the hero dog competition Eukanuba Friends for Life and Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year. Crufts 2018 runs from the 8th to the 11th March at the NEC, Birmingham.

Crufts is the perfect opportunity for dog lovers meet around 200 breeds of dog, find out how to go about getting a dog, and to find out about activities and competitions they can get involved in with their own dog.

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E: press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk

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2.3 MB; 27th February, 2018; 2953 x 3986 pixels (W x H)

Image Keywords

Border Terrier  Burnham on Sea  Canine Hero Awards  Crufts 2018  Dog  Dog Show  Friends for Life  Kennel Club  Launch  Pet  Sir Jack Spratticus  Somerset  Vanessa Holbrow