Dogs Trust & Nintendo join forces to launch Nintendogs with Girls Aloud

Girls Aloud visited our West London Rehoming Centre today to help launch a new educational initiative between us and Nintendo.

The pilot scheme will build on our existing educational programmes within schools, aimed at teaching children the responsibilities involved in caring for a dog, using the popular Nintendogs game for the Nintendo DS. Nintendo will kindly donate games consoles and copies of the game, in which players care for a virtual dog, to Dogs Trust for use around London initially.

Today Nadine, Cheryl, Nicola, Sarah and Kimberley were on hand to try out the game, meet some of the children who will be benefitting from the scheme and get to see first hand what goes on in one of our Rehoming Centres.

The girls commented:

“We are all dog lovers ourselves so are fully supportive of this scheme which teaches kids what looking after a dog really involves." Nadine added, “I love my Nintendog ‘Miso’; I can feed him, take him for walks and play with him every day, it’s just like having a real dog in my hand.”

A couple of our PR team, Charlotte and Sophia, were on hand to make sure everything went smoothly, and came back full of excitement about the new launch. Also present was the London Education Officer, Natalie Dexter, who explained about the role of education at Dogs Trust:

“Our education programme targets the dog owners of tomorrow about responsible dog ownership and we’re always looking for new and innovative ways of spreading our message within schools. We’re delighted to partner with Nintendo on such an innovative scheme which captures the essence of our message about responsible dog ownership, in an exciting and fun way that will inspire and educate children.”

Check out loads more adorable pics at the Cheryl Tweedy Cole blog!

Meet Dogs Trust: Lynne Jones, Education Officer

Recently, I was chatting to Hollie in the office about the work her education officers do around the country. "Can we tell more people about our education programmes through the blog?" asked Hollie. "Of course we can," I replied, "but the best people to explain what they do are surely the people that do it!". Days later I received this post from Lynne Jones:

Name: Lynne Jones
Location: Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre Bridgend, S.Wales
Job: Education Officer Wales

As an Education Officer it is my job to visit Primary Schools and carry out workshops during which I talk to the children about responsible dog ownership and safety around dogs. Making learning fun my dog Bonnie and I deliver interactive activities which are age related and designed to encourage team building and confidence skills.

Before I worked for Dogs Trust I had completed my PGCE in Primary Teaching and was supply teaching in a local school.

The funniest thing was attempting to do a workshop in a classroom that had 2 guinea pigs and try to convince Bonnie they weren’t interesting or worth a closer look! It was a very eventful session and I’d forgotten how determined she can be.

It can be challenging trying to manage a boisterous class of 30 children who are over-excited to have a dog in their classroom and ensuring Bonnie never feels overwhelmed or intimidated.

Bonnie is a 6 year old black Labrador cross collie which I got from Dogs Trust when she was 11 months old. Her handover form stated she was “Destructive” but this was due to her being a puppy and left on her own for long periods. Apart from chewing a few cushions and digging a hole in my settee to get to a biscuit she’s not been very destructive!! She is fantastic with children and people, is very greedy being a labrador so loves her food but is a wonderful companion. She had been very well socialized as a puppy and loves to play with other dogs. She has been well trained and is very calm when in the class so often children who were initially afraid of being in a class with a dog by the end of the workshop have plucked up the courage to come over and meet her.

My hobbies include horse riding, dog walking and swimming. I also like socializing with friends and going to the cinema.

My favourite food is anything with lots of cheese and ham on, so jacket potatoes, pizza, toasties, – I don’t like seafood much or hot curries.

If I could be anywhere right now I would be horse riding on the beach with Bonnie running behind and the sun beating down on us!

Photo Credit: Larry Barlow

Meet Dogs Trust's Dogs: Maisy

Last week, Maisy's brother Dennis got his say. Today it's time for her to tell all about life with Dogs Trust Education Officer Donna Sayce in Leeds.

Name: Maisy Sayce

Breed: Wire haired Jack Russell cross

Colour: Tri colour

Age: 9

Who's your favourite two-legged friend at Dogs Trust? The one with the comfiest knee!

Who's your favourite four-legged friend at Dogs Trust? My ‘brother’ Dennis

What's your favourite toy? Tennis balls

What's your favourite treat? Anything that’s going……

What do you dream about? I dream a lot, and sleep bark! But never remember them in the morning.

Where's the best place to take a walk? The seaside. I love running on sand.

What are you favourite activities? Sleeping, cuddles.

What's the one thing you can't stand? The rain!

What do your humans like best about you? My most excellent eyebrows. [Ed's note: Definitely! Love 'em]

How did you meet your humans? I had a couple of homes before I met my new mum. An old lady bought me as a puppy but found me too much hard work. She then sold me via a newspaper ad to a young couple who soon found out they were expecting a baby and could no longer care for me. Luckily, mum heard of my plight and took me in. I have lived with her 8 years and am now very happy.


If you're a teacher interested in hosting a workshop with Donna, Dennis and Maisy or a student who wants to learn more about dogs, you can find out more on our website.

Previous Dogs Trust Dogs: Dennis | Megan

Meet Dogs Trust's Dogs: Dennis

Dennis' 'mum', Donna, is quite new to Dogs Trust, having taken on the role of Education Officer in Leeds recently. As she spends her days giving workshops, helping teachers and pupils access resources and promoting Dogs Trust's message of responsible dog ownership, she has Dennis and Maisy at her side. This week Dennis takes centre stage, but check back next Monday for Maisy's profile!

Name: Dennis Sayce

Breed: Wire haired Jack Russell cross

Colour: White and brindle

Age: 6

Who's your favourite two-legged friend at Dogs Trust? Anyone who will play fetch with me!

Who's your favourite four-legged friend at Dogs Trust? My ‘sister’ Maisy

What's your favourite toy? Squeaky balls, tugger toys, footballs, rugby balls, Frisbee……. The list is endless!

What's your favourite treat? CHEESE!

What do you dream about? Running along the beach playing with the rugby ball!

Where's the best place to take a walk? Definitely the local woods….. all those smells and sticks!

What are you favourite activities? I am a keen swimmer! And love to run and play all day with my doggy friends

What's the one thing you can't stand? Having my coat brushed!

What do your humans like best about you? My handsome face, and curly tail!

How did you meet your humans? I was found as a stray when I was five months old. My mum saw me and took me home for the night as I looked so sad. That was 5 ½ years ago!

Previous Dogs Trust Dogs: Megan | Liniker

If you're a teacher interested in hosting a workshop with Donna or a student who wants to learn more about dogs, you can find out more on our website.

Meet Dogs Trust: Hollie Sevenoaks (and Sadie)

Last week, you met web guru Jacqui Darlow! This week it's the turn of our campaigns and education crew to get a look in...

Name: Hollie Sevenoaks

Location: Dogs Trust HQ, London

Job: Campaigns & Education Manager

You what...? I manage a team of eight regionally based Education Officers, who visit schools to provide free workshops promoting the message of responsible dog ownership. I also manage a wide variety of projects as required by the Head of Campaigns. My role at Dogs Trust is always evolving and interesting, which is why I have been here ten years now!

Best thing about my job: The people that I work with and the fact that I get to bring my beloved four-legged friend, Sadie, to work with me.

Pets: I have just the one dog, Sadie, who is aged 15 but she's still young at heart. Sadie loves coming to Dogs Trust HQ and being fussed over by my colleagues.

Favourite websites: I love Facebook, who doesn't?! Also a fan of going to shows at the theatre, so lastminute.com helps me feed this rather expensive addiction!

What I'm reading now: I have just finished Marley and Me by John Grogan. It is a touching and humourous true tale of a man's relationship with his dog, Marley, from puppyhood to old age. It's one of those rare books that can make you laugh out loud and then cry the next minute.

Weekend plans: Sadie is currently undertaking a course of hydrotherapy to help ease her arthritis, so I'll be taking her to treatment this weekend as well as meeting up with friends for a good old chinwag and a curry!