Burnham-On-Sea ten-year-old Stephanie Jeffries, who has suffered from Cerebral Palsy since birth, is to receive a special Kennel Club award at Crufts with her canine companion later this week.
Stephanie and her best friend Kimmy, a 23-month-old pedigree Yellow Labrador, will be presented with the Young Kennel Club’s Shaun McAlpine award at Crufts on Sunday (March 11th).
The award is the club’s highest level of achievement for young dog owners, and it will also allow Stephanie, who is a junior Pets As Therapy trainer, to meet a top training expert.
Proud mum Ann told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “Two years ago, the local people of Burnham helped raise enough money for us to buy a labrador puppy, and we eventually came home with a ten-week-old yellow labrador that Stephanie called Kimmy.”
“Since having Kimmy, Stephanie has changed so much, she has so much more confidence and is a lot more outgoing. Her wheelchair now is hardly used as she wants to walk alongside Kimmy.”
Stephanie and Kimmy are members of the Waggy Tails Line Dancing Display Team and already take part in local fetes and dog events. Later this week, they will travel to the world-renowned Crufts dog show.
“Stephanie has won the Under 12’s YKC Shaun McAlphine Award at Crufts and will be presented with her Award on Sunday in the Young Kennel Club ring. The Shaun McAlphine Award is the highest award that a member of the YKC can receive.”
“Members have to apply to the YKC asking for help with a dog-related dream that they have. There are three groups – Under 12’s, 12-18, 18-24. Stephanie’s dream was to spend the day with Mary Ray, an expert in the field of Heelwork to Music. Mary features regularly at Crufts and can be seen just before Best in Show.”
“Stephanie wanted to prove to other disabled children that if they really want to achieve something and its within their reach then to go for it. That’s what she put on her application form and a few weeks ago the Young Kennel Club informed us that Stephanie had won the Under 12 group. Stephanie and Kimmy will also get to spend the day with Mary and her dogs in April.”
“We are so proud of her and everything that they have achieved together. We always knew that Kimmy was going to be a special dog, but we couldn’t image how much.”
