Allen Parton, the Gulf War veteran who founded Hounds for Heroes, will be this year’s guest speaker for the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) annual Members’ Day, which will be held in Manchester on 25 September.
Allen was a Chief Petty Officer serving in the Royal Navy during the Gulf War before a tragic head injury changed his life wiping out his memories and leaving him unable to walk, speak or write. In his keynote address he will celebrate the way animals can transform lives by speaking about his traumatic injuries and the importance of the human/animal bond, illustrated by the unique partnership formed with his assistance dog Endal.
Endal transformed Allen’s life and the partnership between Allen and Endal inspired Allen to set up the charity Hounds for Heroes. Allen says:
“When I founded Hounds for Heroes I made it very clear that from the onset we were never going to be an extension of the MoD or the NHS. We are primarily dog trainers and the dogs’ health and welfare are at the forefront of everything we do.
“With a healthy and happy dog anything is possible, these dogs are life changing and so enabling for their human partners. The dogs give their all unconditionally, so ensuring that in return they receive the very best in veterinary care from their very first day on parade to their retirement is an absolute given.
“The importance of the work vets do in ensuring the health and welfare of our dogs throughout their service is unquestionably pivotal to the success of our mission.”
Allen’s speech is part of a day that celebrates the achievements of the veterinary profession through BVA’s prestigious awards ceremony. BVA awards are given in recognition of the various ways BVA members contribute to the advancement of the profession, and recognise the commitment of students and recent graduates who have undertaken research projects overseas.
BVA President Robin Hargreaves will also deliver his end of year keynote speech covering some of the major issues facing the veterinary profession, and the new BVA Officer Team will be elected at the Association’s annual general meeting.
Further information and a booking form for BVA Members is available at www.bva.co.uk/membersday and the Twitter hashtag for the day will be #celebratingvets