This week Ray and I (+ my camera) were invited to a partnership ceremony at Canine Partners. Early in the day, we were all introduced to Mark, Chair of Trustees. This was the beginning of a varied programme:
- information from trainers about the time, effort and number of people involved to bring an assistance dog to the final stage of being paired with their partner
- a demonstration by three dogs and their trainers of some of the skills they are learning
- testimony from partners, often emotionally charged, to the amazing and life-changing difference their dog has made to them
A tasty lunch was provided for everyone by the domestic manager, Wendy, and her staff. During the lunch break, Mark came round to tables to exchange a few words with everybody. I knew he needed to speak to lots of people so I was perhaps a bit hasty in asking for a portrait for my strangers' project, just in case I missed the opportunity.
However he readily agreed, saying that nobody had asked to take his photo before. I was just thinking that if I asked Mark to move his chair slightly left, the background to the shot would be entirely of a small bookcase rather than part bookcase and part blank wall when he suddenly stood up and said that we should go and look for a suitable location.
We quickly settled for a spot in the courtyard in front of the Canine Partners sign on the wall and, as you see, I just managed to include their logo in the shot.
I knew my time to speak with Mark would be limited. I found that he has been involved with Canine Partners since 2008 and has been Chairman of Trustees for the past four years. His professional life was spent in banking and since his retirement he has played an active part on the boards of various organisations.
When I asked about leisure pursuits, Mark quickly summed them up as, 'Golf, walking and lots of grandchildren.'
So, thank you to Mark for taking the time to be in my strangers' project and I really hope you will like your photo......
Canine Partners is a charity, receives no government funding and currently has 200 people on its waiting list.
Fascinating story and wonderful picture - the lighting and his skin tones are terrific. Know he'll like this one, too. What an interesting project he's involved with.
