Remembering Evie, one of the longest serving therapy dogs who brought comfort to many
A beloved blind therapy dog, which helped people across the Chichester area for more than a decade, has been remembered by its owner as a ‘great companion’.
Fox-red labrador Evie, one of the longest serving therapy dogs in the county, had to be put down at the age of 13 on January 25 after developing a liver tumor.
Retired Salvation Army officer Alexandra Hughes, from Bracklesham Bay, said: “I firmly believe we were meant to be together. We were inseparable. We shared a very close bond right from day one. She was very gentle but could be mischievous and full of fun. She’s helped so many people in her lifetime. I miss her so much.”
Evie was a member of Therapy Dogs Nationwide, a charity where volunteers take their own dogs into establishments to give comfort, distraction and
stimulation.
Alexandra, who is hoping to find a publisher for her book about Evie’s life, said: “It was very rewarding visiting the hospital, nursing homes, schools for special needs children and centres for adults with learning disabilities. Thousands of people from all around the globe have paid tribute to her. I want to thank all the establishments, for welcoming us over the years,
[and] Downland Vets for all their care.”
When lockdown is over, Alexandra said there are going to be ‘a lot of people’ needing animal-assisted therapy. She added: “If there are people with suitable dogs with the right temperment, it would be nice to have more therapy dogs in the Chichester area. It would be a nice legacy that Evie would leave.”
For more information, visit www.tdn.org.uk
A decision on 118 homes on the edge of Hambrook is set to be made next week.
Sunley Estates wants permission to build on land south of the A27 and north of Scants Road West with access from Broad Road.
Chichester District Council’s planning committee is due to discuss its plan on Wednesday.
A total of 85 objections have been sent in by residents but council planning officers are recommending approval.
Meanwhile more details have been released on a planning appeal over 35 homes proposed south of Hambrook Holiday Park, lodged on the grounds of non-determination.
In October members of the planning committee voted to contest the appeal, which will take place via a hearing.
Three copies of written representations should be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, FAO Milena Opolska, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN quoting the DCLG reference number APP/ L3815/W/20/3259646. These must be received by Wednesday, March 24.
The parish of Chidham and Hambrook is also fighting three other large housing developments, all in and around Nutbourne East.
The outline applications are for 94 homes west of Pottery Lane, another for 132 homes east of Broad Road and a third for 68 homes west of Drift Lane. The Chidham and Hambrook Parish Action Group (CHPAG) website contains more information on all three applications and how to object. Visit https:// chpag.wordpress.com
Spokesman Andrew Kerry-bedell said: “We find it amazing developers are still pushing top quality agricultural land for housing, with some even proposing we build right over the top of the new wildlife corridors.”
He suggested Chichester District Council needed to carry out an updated review of all brownfield sites so residents know what better site options there are ‘so we can all avoid having to pillage any more valuable productive farmland’.