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Hero Flo – the incredible multitasking dog!
A guide and hearing dog and also the street's burglar detector too!
Flo, a Labraor cross golden retriever, is a very special dog with two official jobs – she has been trained to act as both a guide dog and a hearing dog for Kate Fenwick, who is both deaf and blind. Now it seems that she also has third unofficial role too…

In addition to making people aware of Kate’s dual sensory loss, Flo’s hearing dog training has given her a very important role in the community. Kate explains: “We have had a spate of burglaries in our area recently.  On the evening of the first one, Flo alerted me in the middle of the night, but I thought she just wanted to go out.  However, I found out the next day that there had been a burglary two streets away and the police had caught the person hiding in my shed.  

“A few days after that, Flo alerted me twice in the night – once at midnight and then at 4.45am. Again the police told me that a house close to me was broken into at midnight, and the police had attended at 4.45am! So Flo was spot on.  Now the police have asked me to dial 999 if Flo alerts me in the night, and have told me that having Flo has made me much safer than the other residents in the street.”

Kate feels very lucky to have her canine partner: “Flo has made an enormous difference to my life.  I feel so much more confident both in the house and outdoors.  She helps me not only by guiding me and alerting me to sounds, but also by changing the way people at large respond to me.”

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Greyhound Board announces change to vaccination guidance

News Story 1
 The Greyhound Board of Great Britain has published new vaccination guidance, with all greyhounds registered from 1 January, 2027 required to have the L4 leptospirosis vaccination, rather than L2.

The change comes in response to the reduced availability of the 'L2' Leptospirosis vaccine across the UK, and aims to support best biosecurity practice across the racing greyhound population.

GBGB veterinary director Simon Gower, said "While rare, Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that can affect both dogs and humans, so it is vital that we offer our greyhounds the broadest possible protection.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Free webinar explores congenital heart disease in dogs

A free webinar is to provide veterinary professionals, dog breeders and pet owners an new insights into congenital heart disease.

Chris Linney, a cardiology specialist and Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VSC) member, will present the webinar from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, 12 November.

Dr Linney will explore the types, causes and clinical presentation of congenital heart conditions. This will include diagnostic approaches, treatment pathways and emerging research opportunities.

The session is the third to be organised by The Kennel Club, with the VCS, following an introductory webinar and a talk on acquired heart disease. Dr Linney's webinar consists of a one-hour presentation, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session.

Dr Linney said: "This webinar will be an opportunity to deepen understanding - not just of the diseases themselves, but of how breeders, vets and owners can work together to support affected dogs and improve outcomes for future generations."

Click here to register for the webinar.