Neve Barraclough from Tingley, West Yorkshire has helped an unwanted puppy on its way to becoming a successful competitor in the fast and furious dog sport of flyball.

Jess, a 10-month-old Border Collie didn’t have the best start in life, but thanks to West Yorkshire Dog Rescue, who have received a £4,000 grant from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, she is now on her way to a promising sporting career in flyball with her loving new owners, Neve and her family.

Jess arrived at West Yorkshire Dog Rescue in a very bad way. She had matted fur covering a painfully thin body and was riddled with worms.

Barely six-months-old, she desperately needed affection and help. Once bathed, wormed and de-flead, Jess was vaccinated and microchipped and soon started to gain weight.

Aged just six, Neve is a very keen flyball competitor. She met Jess in July at a West Yorkshire Dog Rescue foster home and formed an immediate bond with the Border Collie puppy. As a result, the Barraclough family adopted Jess and that’s when their successful partnership began.

Neve and Jess have been training since she joined the family and hope to qualify for the Young Kennel Club class next year, following in the steps of her 9 year old sister Maddison and her dog Kizzie.

Kathy Trout from West Yorkshire Dog Rescue said: “Very rarely is a child born with an exquisite ability to bond and relate to dogs, but Neve and Jess have such a special bond and we wish them every success and happiness for the future. Without the support of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust we would not be able to help dogs like Jess and give them a loving family.”

Managed on a voluntary basis, West Yorkshire Dog Rescue differs from many rescue charities in that it uses foster homes to accommodate dogs and get all the veterinary treatment done until a suitable forever home is found.  This prevents the stress and behavioural changes associated with kennel life and means that they get proper exercise, resulting in happier, healthier dogs.  This year, the charity has rehomed 182 dogs up until October.

West Yorkshire Dog Rescue relies on grants and donations in order for it to provide a second chance to dogs like Jess. Recognising the brilliant work carried out by the rescue centre, the Kennel Club Charitable Trust gave a grant of £4,000 to the charity, allowing it to purchase a new van to enable them to transport dogs and therefore assist its work helping dogs in the region.

Mike Townsend, Chairman of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust said: “Neve and Jess met due to the work of West Yorkshire Dog Rescue and have since formed a hugely successful partnership. We hope the money we have donated ensures the great work of this charity continues.”

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust awards grants to welfare organisations which make a difference to dogs’ lives and also provides financial support to scientific research and support charities such as West Yorkshire Dog Rescue.