Like children, our dogs need areas they can explore

I WOULD like to thank Mrs S.M Sharpe for taking the time to read and then write into The Echo (June 6). It was in response to calls for Dog Safe Areas across Charnwood and resident’s petition.

I do totally appreciate that not every person likes dogs; interestingly some of those people who signed the petition were in fact not dog lovers – their reason for signing it was to ensure there was an area for dogs to go rather than in other places which were potentially not good for them. If a person is fearful it makes perfect sense for them to be in a designated place

Since Mrs Sharpe’s letter was published and as councillor for Loughborough Ashby Ward, I have received a few comments as to the positive benefits of having a dog.

They comment on many of the amazing aspects/benefits of having a dog and being able to walk their ‘babies’ in a safe area. In fact, a family whose sons have autism told me they have many dogs in their household.

The mother continued saying that there are now also autism dogs to calm the children down. They also have diabetic dogs and deaf dogs and it is very close to being able to use dogs as therapy. Plenty of special schools invite dogs into classes to help calm their children down.”

One of them (the family I am in touch with) tells me that dogs go into hospitals with children and other hospital wards to help to relax them. They settle there, breathing down by breathing along with the dog – it’s amazing

how it reduces their blood pressure…”

Like children, our canine friends need areas where they can safely explore and not interrupt other users. Other councils have already got these in place and they are working successfully well.

If anyone has further positive suggestions such as what to put in these areas and surroundings, I would be very pleased to receiving your comments

Look forward to hearing from you.

Dr. Julie Bradshaw MBE, councillor for Loughborough Ashby Ward