This month, Dogs with Jobs follows young guide dog Benji over five weeks as he starts “on the job” training with owner John Welsman. 

From their first encounter in June, through two weeks of residential training at a Southampton hotel, instructor-supported training around their home town Petersfield and navigating their way to London via public transport.

After an intense five weeks, Benjy and John are ready to strike out on their own.

Kate Fairweather hears about the highs and lows on this month’s Dogs with Jobs.

Other connected episodes
John Welsman talks about how his relationship with Benjy's predecessor, Breck the guide dog developed over eight years of partnership.
Browse other dogs with interesting jobs.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2021

This month, Dogs with Jobs follows young guide dog Benji over five weeks as he starts “on the job” training with owner John Welsman. 
From their first encounter in June, through two weeks of residential training at a Southampton hotel, instructor-supported training around their home town Petersfield and navigating their way to London via public transport.
After an intense five weeks, Benjy and John are ready to strike out on their own.
Kate Fairweather hears about the highs and lows on this month’s Dogs with Jobs.
Other connected episodes
<ul>
<li>John Welsman talks about how his relationship with Benjy's predecessor, <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/breck-the-guide-dog">Breck the guide dog developed over eight years of partnership</a>.</li>
<li>Browse other <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/playlists/dogs-with-jobs">dogs with interesting jobs.</a></li>
</ul>
© &amp; ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2021

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.

We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.

This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.

Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at https://shineradio.uk, email team@shineradio.uk or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.
We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.
This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.
Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at <a href="https://shineradio.uk">https://shineradio.uk</a>, email <a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.

Voices and stories from Petersfield in Hampshire, UK

Petersfield's Shine Radio

Celebrate the frontline workers of the canine world.

Kate Fairweather comes face to face with a diverse cast of working dogs, perfectly equipped with the instincts, intelligence and training to handle everything their jobs throw at them.

Humans and dogs have worked together for centuries - and still do today in our communities.

Some work with handlers, drawing on their natural hunting, herding, or guarding instincts, or an exceptional sense of smell. Others perform caring roles, providing companionship and support to humans.

Podcast of the Year at the Community Radio Awards 2022.

Produced by volunteers at Petersfield's Shine Radio. Contact Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 01730 555 500.

Celebrate the frontline workers of the canine world.
Kate Fairweather comes face to face with a diverse cast of working dogs, perfectly equipped with the instincts, intelligence and training to handle everything their jobs throw at them.
Humans and dogs have worked together for centuries - and still do today in our communities.
Some work with handlers, drawing on their natural hunting, herding, or guarding instincts, or an exceptional sense of smell. Others perform caring roles, providing companionship and support to humans.
Podcast of the Year at the Community Radio Awards 2022.
Produced by volunteers at Petersfield's Shine Radio. Contact Kate at <a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call 01730 555 500.

Meet the frontline workers of the canine world.

Dogs with Jobs

Benji, the trainee guide dog and his first five weeks on the job

In this pilot edition of our new business roundtable programme, Stephen Martin invites three local business operators to join him around the traders' table.

Antonia runs Madeleine's on Lavant Street, Beth operates a Pilates business and Tim is from the solicitors firm Biscoes where this edition of the programme was recorded.

Together they share insights and experiences from their business lives, the relationships they build with their clients and customers, and some of the challenges they face.

Plus Susan Orringe from First Friday pops-in to let use know about a business networking opportunity coming up in February.

The Traders' Table s supported by First Friday, Petersfield's monthly business networking club and is produced in Petersfield by Shine Radio. 

In this pilot edition of our new business roundtable programme, Stephen Martin invites three local business operators to join him around the traders' table.
Antonia runs Madeleine's on Lavant Street, Beth operates a Pilates business and Tim is from the solicitors firm Biscoes where this edition of the programme was recorded.
Together they share insights and experiences from their business lives, the relationships they build with their clients and customers, and some of the challenges they face.
Plus Susan Orringe from First Friday pops-in to let use know about a business networking opportunity coming up in February.
The Traders' Table s supported by First Friday, Petersfield's monthly business networking club and is produced in Petersfield by Shine Radio.&nbsp;

The Traders' Table: Antonia Troth, Beth Svarovska & Tim Gamester

On Monday 16 February at Churcher’s College, Petersfield Save the Children hold their annual fashion show (£10 entrance fee) and clothing sale (on the following two days), which raises thousands of pounds to relieve child poverty in the UK and abroad

They have been organising this show and sale since the 1960s and raise significant amounts from generous local people.

They are asking for your ’good as new’ clothing to sell there and share the sale proceeds 50:50.

They’re collecting at Churcher’s on Valentine’s Day, Saturday 14 February.

Jane Rebeiro from Petersfield Save the Children spoke to Mike Waddington about what they are doing and why.

All the details about the event and how to donate your ‘good as new’ at Petersfield Save the Children – The Big Sale 2026

On Monday 16 February at Churcher&rsquo;s College,&nbsp;Petersfield Save the Children hold their annual fashion show (&pound;10 entrance fee) and clothing sale (on the following two days), which raises thousands of pounds to relieve child poverty in the UK and abroad
They have been organising this show and sale since the 1960s and raise significant amounts from generous local people.
They are asking for your &rsquo;good as new&rsquo; clothing to sell there and share the sale proceeds 50:50.
They&rsquo;re collecting at Churcher&rsquo;s on Valentine&rsquo;s Day, Saturday 14 February.
Jane Rebeiro from Petersfield Save the Children spoke to Mike Waddington about what they are doing and why.
All the details about the event and how to donate your &lsquo;good as new&rsquo; at Petersfield <a href="https://www.petersfield-savethechildren.co.uk/petersfield-big-sale/?doing_wp_cron=1768551558.7251660823822021484375">Save the Children &ndash; The Big Sale 2026</a>

Fashion Show  and Big Sale to raise funds for Save the Children

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
Warning issued as people throw large items onto frozen Petersfield Pond
Fairshares and a Valentines Treat
PACT AGM hears about a great year’s progress
and we preview this weekend’s sport

To share your news stories email team@shineradio.uk or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Published at 5:00am on 16 January, 2026

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
<ul>
<li>Warning issued as people throw large items onto frozen Petersfield Pond</li>
<li>Fairshares and a Valentines Treat</li>
<li>PACT AGM hears about a great year&rsquo;s progress</li>
<li>and we preview this weekend&rsquo;s sport</li>
</ul>
To share your news stories email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.
Published at 5:00am on 16 January, 2026

Benji, the trainee guide dog and his first five weeks on the job

Dogs with Jobs

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