Pets Corner has marked the 25th anniversary of pet charity Canine Partners by donating 25p for every £25 spent by their customers.

The pet store chain ran the fund-raising scheme between April 1-14 to mark the work of Canine Partners, who partner amazing dogs with people with disabilities.

Canine Partners was founded in 1990, thanks to Anne Conway (Assistance Dogs enthusiast and dog welfare campaigner) and Liz Ormerod (well-known vet and Animal Assisted Therapy expert), who had spent several years researching Assistance Dog programmes worldwide during the late 1980s.

Anne and Liz were joined by Nicky Pendleton who, as an Occupational Therapist, brought expertise in the field of disability, and by Roger Jefcoate CBE who became our Vice President and sponsored the training of the first three dogs, Alex, Angus and Alfred, in 1994.

The charity rented various Hampshire-based premises over the years. It wasn't until 2003 that it began to operate from a Training Centre of its own, in Heyshott, West Sussex. A former polo yard and farm with various outbuildings, the Heyshott site had potential for conversion to specialist facilities. 

Dogs were trained while building-work progressed and the Centre was officially opened in 2005 by the charityt's Patron, HRH the Duke of Gloucester. The facilities lead the way in accessibility for disabled people. 

Canine Partners has progressed to a stage where it needs a second training facility and is currently developing premises in Osgathorpe in Leicestershire. When complete in a couple of years time this will allow the charity to double the amount of dogs it trains each year.

For more information visit www.caninepartners.org.uk and www.petscorner.co.uk