When this website first started, in 2008, one of our very first news items featured one of our 2001 puppies, Brambledale Brighdon, (Dylan) and his owner Denise Bateman, and the wonderful work that they were doing with the Waggy Tails Club in  which  dogs work with troubled young people to help them develop social and other skills. Only dogs of outstanding character and understanding are suitable for such a demanding role and Dylan has played an important part in many young lives. The pictures from the original item can be seen in our news archive here - although the text  has mysteriously disappeared:

 http://www.spanglefish.com/brambledalebeardedcollies/news.asp?intent=viewstory&newsid=12883

The picture below shows Dylan taking part in the club's annual Christmas Carol service - in which he always sings along with the congregation - much to the delight of his young friends! 

Over the years, Dylan and Denise have helped to take the club from strength to strength and I was delighted to hear from Denise yesterday that a BBC 'Children in Need' team had visited the club and  filmed the children and dogs (including Dylan) working together. Here is a link to the film, which was shown on the BBC London News :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24914172

Denise writes:

"Dylan was a star!!"

Long may he continue to shine.......