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HRH Prince
Michael of Kent swaps tales with ITV News presenter at the SSAFA Forces
Help stand at Crufts
On Friday 10th March 2006 at
11am, ITV Central
News Presenter - Phillippa
Tomson and her fabulous Tibetan
Terrier “BG” were joined by His Royal Highness
Prince Michael of Kent GCVO at the SSAFA Forces Help stand as their
guests. They shook paws with hero dog Buster as well as Elliott, Skeet
and Kevin - Army Veterinary Corps dogs. “BG” rubbed noses with everyone!
SSAFA
Forces Help Chairman, Lieutenant General Sir Robin Ross also visited the
SSAFA Forces Help stand on Friday 10th March.
SSAFA
Forces Help Chief Executive,
Major General Andrew Cumming said: "I was
surprised but delighted when I learnt that SSAFA
Forces Help was the official human charity of
Crufts because our work is focused towards
people, not dogs!
However, as we support Service personnel working alongside military dogs
our paths do cross. We have many new four legged friends from the Royal
Army Veterinary Corps including Buster at our stand."
Stand 3
- 50 SSAFA Forces Help
The stall was
also supported by the
RAF Dog Demonstration Team.
Everyday there was
an instant win tombola including a star prize,
deluxe prizes and lots of doggy prizes and treats. All week
they
were
giving away paw stamped cards for children who visit the stand and met
Buster
and the other
Royal Army Veterinary Corps Dogs.
Buster Information
Buster the Springer Spaniel
won the Dicken Award for Gallantry, the
highest award for animals aiding British and Commonwealth forces, when he
discovered hidden weapons for use against the armed forces in
Iraq, April 2003. The stash he uncovered included weapons explosives and
cocaine. The day after the find explosions and attacks in the village of
Safwan
stopped. Buster joined the army in 1999 and after training became an AES
Dog, (Arms Explosive Search Dog). Buster served in both Kosovo and Iraq
and last year he won “Hero Dog of the Year” at Crufts.
Royal Army Veterinary
Corps Dogs
Elliott – Black
Labrador
Skeet – English Springer
Kevin – Chocolate
Labrador
SSAFA Forces Help would
like to thank the following companies for their generous prize donations:
John Lewis Partnership, K9 igloo designs, Pascoes,
Millie & George, Snoozzzeee Dog,
Crazee Pets, HMV, Barking Bags and Peugeot
Export. A genuine thank you to the Kennel Club for
making SSAFA Forces Help their human charity.
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