I’m a 19 year old Schnauzerfester and veterinary medicine student at the University of Surrey. I have 2 mini schnauzers, Frankie and Penny. My mum and I run many of the South Wales schnauzer walks. Penny is a puppy farm rescue dog and Schnauzerfest recipient who now enjoys all the finer things in life like boat rides in Cornwall.
I have completed a number of weeks of my veterinary placement at Hope Rescue in south Wales. As they are working with Animal Licensing Wales and currently caring for a large intake of breeding dogs which includes schnauzers I’d like to share my experiences there and how amazing this rescue is.
Every time I’ve been they’ve had a litter of puppies or a few litters! The puppies and mums are in spacious kennels with plenty of toys. The puppies enjoy their outdoor ‘puppy paddock’ everyday when the weather allows and get to run, explore and play. The puppies are all absolutely lovely and well rounded thanks to the time and effort the team put into properly socialising and raising these puppies. Like all the dogs at Hope, they get cuddles, love and attention. It’s really not what some might expect life in a rescue to be.
At any time, Hope have a number of adult dogs in their care. Some are completely shut down, while others are ‘normal’ dogs. All the dogs are assessed, with their specific needs pinpointed. This enables the best ways to help them improve be identified. This can involve training, from obedience to agility or just sitting quietly with the dogs to build confidence in their own time, helping them realise they’re loved and cared for.
The most recent time I was there, they had a dog named Martin who came in with another who unfortunately passed away, leaving Martin alone and completely shut down. I watched as the Hope team tried everything they could to get some of Martin’s confidence back. It involved giving Martin a kennel and walk buddy who was a more confident dog who showed Martin that the world wasn’t something to be scared of but something to be enjoyed. Everyday Martin would walk further and further (at his own, very slow, pace) until one day he did a complete lap of the woods and back to the kennels without freezing in fear. This is just one small example of the incredible work that Hope do and I can promise you that there is no better rescue for any dog to be!
On my first placement, there was a group of pointers and bracco Italiano’s brought in. Some were pregnant and others had litters of puppies. The Hope team did everything they could to support these dogs and when I returned for my next placement 4 months later, the dogs that were still there were confident, well rounded dogs (who I BEGGED my mum to take home!!). The majority that remained were pairs who truly relied on each other. One pair has stolen everyone’s heart, Mist and Serena (Mist pictured below). They’re some of the silliest and most loving dogs I have ever met. It’s all down to the Hope team for enabling their personalities and confidence to flourish. This is the aim for every dog that goes through the rescue.
A major part of the work is the medical treatment provided to every dog. As a vet student, I was able to shadow the vet rounds. For some of the dogs, the reason they’re at Hope Rescue is down to the high expense of veterinary treatment. For others they may have been abandoned and injured, for others it’s poor breeding causing problems.
The complexity of medical problems brings high expense and is something any independent rescue will struggle to manage. Schnauzerfest’s regular financial support for the rescue’s veterinary bills is invaluable. The current large intake of breeding dogs, which includes schnauzers, will bring significant medical costs. That Schnauzerfest supporters make it possible to assist is truly appreciated.
I am organising a South Wales schnauzer walk in aid of these dogs. It will be on Sunday 23rd February, at 1pm on Barry Island beach. Details can be found here. I am also donating blankets and towels, something the rescue always needs.
If you are able, please also support this appeal in any way you can. Hope Rescue are a brilliant rescue doing all that they can to help dogs, all year round, whatever the breed or need.
