I started my Fire & Rescue Service career with
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in January 1992 and for the
majority of that time I served at Brentwood Fire Station with Blue
Watch. The recent opportunity to become involved in the UKFSSART / USAR
team as a dedicated dog handler was a challenge I could not turn down.
I have had pet dogs in the past, and always admired
working dogs for their versatility and dedication to their task. Being a
keen hill walker I have always had a bias to the Border collie breed.
Darcy
is a black and white Border collie who was sourced from a breeder in
Suffolk; Chris Pritchard from Leicester Fire & Rescue Service, proved
invaluable with expert advice in helping to select Darcy.
Darcy was ten weeks old when we took her home with
us in March 2005, and she already showed signs that she would be a well
tempered dog that was keen to learn. She passed her grading in June 2006
at various venues in Kent and West Sussex and I would like to thank Dave
Hudson and Jon Lacey of Kent and West Sussex Fire Services for their
work in arranging these venues.
Darcy seems to have endless energy with plenty of
toy/play drive which is an essential part of a dog’s character in the
training of a search dog. She is always ready for a game of ‘hide and
seek’ with my understanding wife Helen, who also works for Essex Fire
Service in the Control room.
It has taken many hours of research and training to
get this far and I would like to thank Essex Fire Service for their
support and the rest of the UK Fire Service USAR dog team for all the
help and advice along the way.
I know Darcy and I are just beginning our Search
and Rescue career and I’m really looking forward to the experience and
the many years of useful service we can provide.
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When I was a puppy! |
Now I am grown up! |
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Agility King |
Me and my dad |
Darcy came from the Detania Kennel's near
Saxmundham, Suffolk. Web site is
www.detania.co.uk
A big thank you must also go to
Roy Dyer and all the instructors at The Essex Dog Training Centre in
Brentwood, for the training tips they have given and also allowing
me the use of their excellent facilities. I still attend classes,
both obedience and agility.
Their web address for
the link is
www.trainyourdog.co.uk
For further
details e-mail
Essex Dog Teams
