Acorn works at Petersfield Infants School as a Pets as Therapy (PAT) reading dog.

Does he enjoy his job?  Kate Fairweather hears about his working life from owner Judy Bridgland.

More information on volunteering with your dog at petsastherapy.org.

Acorn works at Petersfield Infants School as a Pets as Therapy (PAT) reading dog.
Does he enjoy his job?&nbsp; Kate Fairweather hears about his working life from owner Judy Bridgland.
More information on volunteering with your dog at petsastherapy.org.

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

A golden retriever that works as a school reading assistant

Acorn,  the school reading assistant

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
There’s local support available to help us understand our energy bills.
Mia has this weekend's sporting results from across the Petersphere.
Respecting final wishes.
Latest results from the East Hants Community Lottery.

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

You make it shine.

Published at 4:58am on 18 May, 2026

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
<ul>
<li>There&rsquo;s local support available to help us understand our energy bills.</li>
<li>Mia has this weekend's sporting results from across the Petersphere.</li>
<li>Respecting final wishes.</li>
<li>Latest results from the East Hants Community Lottery.</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 4:58am on 18 May, 2026

Local news for Monday 18th May

This is the origin story of the charity, Service Dogs UK, which supports veterans of the military and blue light services in training their own PTSD assistance dogs. 

Hear its founder and operations director, Garry Botterill, on the various training models, and how his own lived experience in the military and police has informed the training model and contributed to the approach taken by Service Dogs UK.

Find out more about assistance dogs supporting veterans

Garry mentions all these organisations in this episode. As we say in the episode, there are many other organisations and charities - these are just some of them!
Service Dogs UK and the Dogs Making a Difference Awards 2026
Paws for Purple Hearts (U.S.)
Paws and Stripes (New Mexico, U.S.)
Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS) (South Carolina, U.S.)
Warrior Canine Connection (Maryland, U.S.)

Connected Dogs with Jobs episodes on assistance dogs
Duke, the PTSD service dog, (also trained by Service Dogs UK) 
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police 
By your side: navigating life with a guide dog over time
Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog - perfect for a Rogate teenager
Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
Benjy, the trainee guide dog's first five weeks on the job
Daisy, the autism assistance dog - practical, psychological and emotional support

Do you work your dog?

Or perhaps you know someone else who does and might like to come on the show?  I love to hear about all and any working dogs - the more varied, the better! 

Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.

Find more dogs with interesting jobs. 

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2026

This is the origin story of the charity, Service Dogs UK, which supports veterans of the military and blue light services in training their own PTSD assistance dogs.&nbsp;
Hear its founder and operations director, Garry Botterill, on the various training models, and how his own lived experience in the military and police has informed the training model and contributed to the approach taken by Service Dogs UK.
Find out more about assistance dogs supporting veterans
Garry mentions all these organisations in this episode. As we say in the episode, there are many other organisations and charities - these are just some of them!
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.servicedogsuk.org/about-us/">Service Dogs UK</a> and the <a href="https://www.servicedogsuk.org/uk-service-dogs-conference-awards/">Dogs Making a Difference Awards 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.pawsforpurplehearts.org/">Paws for Purple Hearts</a> (U.S.)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pawsandstripes.org/">Paws and Stripes</a> (New Mexico, U.S.)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.paals.org/">Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services&nbsp;(PAALS)</a> (South Carolina, U.S.)</li>
<li><a href="https://warriorcanineconnection.org/">Warrior Canine Connection</a> (Maryland, U.S.)</li>
</ul>
Connected Dogs with Jobs episodes on assistance dogs
<ul>
<li><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/duke-the-ptsd-service-dog?in_playlist=dogs-with-jobs">Duke, the PTSD service dog</a>, (also trained by Service Dogs UK)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Mika, the&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/mika-the-wellbeing-and-trauma-support-dog-who-work?in_playlist=dogs-with-jobs">well being and trauma support dog</a>&nbsp;in the Metropolitan Police&nbsp;</li>
<li>By your side:<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/by-your-side-navigating-boyhood-manhood-and-now-bl?in_playlist=dogs-with-jobs">&nbsp;navigating life with a guide dog over time</a></li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2024/11/ralph-the-multi-tasking-owner-trained-assistance-dog/">Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog</a>&nbsp;- perfect for a Rogate teenager</li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2024/09/darcey-the-canine-partner/">Darcey, the Canine Partner</a>: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom</li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2021/07/benjy-the-trainee-guide-dogs-first-five-weeks-on-the-job/">Benjy, the trainee guide dog</a>'s first five weeks on the job</li>
<li><a href="https://shineradio.uk/2021/10/daisy-the-autism-assistance-dog/">Daisy, the autism assistance dog</a>&nbsp;- practical, psychological and emotional support</li>
</ul>
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who does and might like to come on the show?&nbsp; I love to hear about all and any working dogs - the more varied, the better!&nbsp;
Get in touch with me, Kate, via&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk.</a>
Find more&nbsp;<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/petersfieldstories/playlists/dogs-with-jobs">dogs with interesting jobs.</a>&nbsp;
&copy; &amp; ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2026

Helping Veterans to train their own PTSD Service Dogs

Local author Suzie Wilde and Tim O'Kelly of One Tree Books immerse you in a monthly indulgence of literature, storytelling and the world of books.

We are joined by Izzy Broom who talks about her book The House of Hidden letters which takes place on a Greek island.  We are also joined by Jenny Uglow who is talking about Gilbert White and his lifelong observations. Why soldiers took copies into the trenches.

Local author Suzie Wilde and Tim O'Kelly of One Tree Books immerse you in a monthly indulgence of literature, storytelling and the world of books.
We are joined by Izzy Broom who talks about her book The House of Hidden letters which takes place on a Greek island.&nbsp; We are also joined by Jenny Uglow who is talking about Gilbert White and his lifelong observations. Why soldiers took copies into the trenches.

Acorn, the school reading assistant

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