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At Discover Dogs I caught up with Jill Moss and got an update on her work for the Bella Moss Foundation. Jill is now the only lay member of the DEFRA sub group committee on MRSA in animals. A worrying number of MRSA cases in pets continue to occur. MRSA is passed from humans to animals and both vets and owners often need to learn more about preventing it. Jill has ambitious plans for the future - next year she is launching a website to give information and training to veterinary staff about MRSA and in 2009 she is planning an international conference on MRSA. The first international conference in 2006 was a huge success, and by 2009 more research material will be available. Jill already works with veterinary organisations to help them educate and train their staff and she also wants to help pet owners protect their pets from this potentially fatal infection. She suggests that concerned owners check with their vets about what hygiene procedures they have in place (for example, Jill suggests that vet nurses should carry disinfectant pouches so that they can clean their hands between patients). Veterinary staff for obvious reasons have a higher statistical likelihood of carrying MRSA. She also suggests making certain that vets don't prescribe or administer antibiotics too frequently or inappropriately, and that owners educate themselves to recognise worrying symptoms in their pets after surgery or hospitalisation. For more information about Jill's inspiring work, check out her page on PetStreet.






I also visited the Guide Dogs for the Blind stand at Discover Dogs and had a fascinating experience. Their stand is a mini obstacle course and they invite members of the public to walk this course blindfolded and reliant on one of their dogs to navigate. I was introduced to a wonderful dog and then given black sunglasses and which blotted out my vision completely. A really kind handler coached me about how to walk with my dog and we set off. You feel really vulnerable and a bit scared being in such an unfamiliar setting, completely unable to see - I had no choice but to trust the dog completely. I realise what an amazing bond must exist between a blind person and their dog - the human has to have absolute confidence in the dog in a whole variety of situations and to trust the dog to get him across busy roads and around unseen obstacles. I thought the Guide Dogs stand provided a very clever way for people to understand quite how amazing the work done by their dogs and the people who train them is.



Guide Dogs for the Blind are one of five great dogs charities (the others are Hearing Dogs, Canine Partners, Dogs for the Disabled and Support Dogs) launching The Year of the Assistance Dog next year, to highlight their campaign for the rights of disabled people and their dogs to have access to services and facilities. They will award 'Dog Stars' to retailers, leisure facilities, public premises, parks and transport operators, providing businesses and organisations with an incentive to make their premises assistance dog friendly.