Assistance Dogs and Dog Charities

Assistance dogs are trained to aid or assist an individual with a disability. Many assistance dogs are trained by an assistance dog organization, or by their handler or with the help of a professional trainer. This category is for the photographer to showcase an assistance dog or assistance dog charity through their photographic work showing how dogs enrich people's lives. The winner of this category will nominate their favourite assistance dog charity for a £500 donation from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to help make a difference for dogs. The charity that receives a donation from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust this year is 'Die Seelentröster – Tiere helfen Menschen e. V' in Germany.

Assistance Dogs Charity Category 1st Place Winner, Angelika Elendt, Germany
Title of image: ‚Soul comforter‘

Dog: Lilly, cross breed and rescued dog

With my photography I am supporting as a volunteer the animal welfare association „Die Seelentröster – Tiere helfen Menschen e. V.“ (The soul comforters – Animals help people), who works tirelessly for animals in need. An essential part of their engagement is also the animal-assisted work. Their four-legged protégés play an important role at healing processes in young and old peoples with mental, emotional and/or physical disabilities and sometimes cause true miracles.

The picture was taken during the club's work with some assistance dogs, trained for animal-assisted interventions, in a retirement home. Whenever I looked at this old lady suffering on depression and dementia she was completely apathetic and seemed to be captured in her own world. Towards the end of the visit, Lilly was put on her lap and suddenly the lady woke up from her lethargy: She started stroking the little dog and bent her head down to it. Whereupon Lilly raised her head and pressed it to her cheek for a little while – a very touching and heartfelt moment which I managed to capture in my picture.

Lilly managed to get through to this old lady, who was beforehand always experienced as lethargic and utterly disinterested in social interactions. This once again shows the very special connection between dogs and human beings.

Technical specification
Canon EOS 5D Mark III; Aperture: f/4.5; ISO Speed: 500; Focal length: 200mm; Exposure program: Manual Exposure; Time: 1/800 sec; Flash: No

Website / http://www.elfmet.de

Facebook / elfmetpictures

Instagram / elfmet
1st place 2019 Assistance dogs
Assistance Dog Category 2nd Place Winner, Tracy Allard, United States
Title of image: ‘Laying Down on the Job’

Dog: Rescue dog cross breed (Great Dane and Labrador Retriever) named Bosco

I’m not only a professional photographer; I’m also a dog trainer and had the pleasure of meeting Bosco and working with his handler to help them earn certification with Therapy Dogs International.
When they invited me to watch him in action (or lack thereof, he was truly born for this job), I jumped at the chance.

The school learned I was a photographer and generously allowed me to bring my camera to capture their reading program. Bosco lowers the stress level of any room he’s in, but he’s especially magical with children, enabling their tensions to melt away. This image represents the culmination of so many things dear to me - documentary photography, dog training, animal rescue and community service. Tracy Allard

Technical Specification
Canon 5D III Aperture: 5.6 ISO speed: 1,000 Focal Length: 62mm Exposure Program: Manual Exposure Time: 1/80 sec Flash: no flash

Website / http://www.pennywhistlephotography.com

Facebook / PennyWhistlePhotography

Instagram / pennywhistlephotography
2019 2nd place Assistance dogs elementary school therapy dog
Assistance Dogs Charity Category 3rd Place Winner, Melissa Bastin, UK
Title of image: ‘You’re safe with me…’

Dog: Quintus, Labradoodle, dog

I first met Rosie and Canine Partner Quintus at BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace last summer. I was drawn to a number of dogs cooling off in the river and particularly to Quintus who was clearly enjoying some off duty time! Rosie and I stayed connected after this and we met up a couple of times for me to see how Quintus helped her in her everyday life, such as loading the washing machine, getting things from the fridge and opening doors. For this shoot we went to St Giles’s in Oxford where Quintus demonstrated how he helps Rosie to negotiate obstacles in a public place. I wanted to capture the amazing bond he and Rosie have and how committed he is to her service - this can be seen in his unflinching gaze. Quintus is representative of so many dogs who serve in an assistance role; committed, selfless and a wonderful companion.

I am a photographer based in Oxfordshire and I specialise in capturing the unique bond that animals have with humans. Whether this be in sport (hence the polo!), in a working environment or in a companionship role, my desire is to create a lasting memory of that relationship that can be treasured for years to come.

Technical specification
Canon 1DX, Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS Mk ii, 1/100s f6.3, ISO 800, 50mm focal length, no flash

Website / http://www.poloimages.org

Instagram / poloimages

Facebook / MBdogphotography
2019 3rd place Assistance Dog Assistance dogs Canine Partners Quintus Rosie

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