An animal caring nana has actually been applauded for her enthusiasm for pups after a life-altering medical diagnosis.
Ailsa Sly is among Darlington’s Dogs Trust’s most valued volunteers and after talking to her, it’s simple to see why. The 64-year-old started offering at the Sadberge charity 8 years earlier throughout which time she has actually seen hundreds of dogs find their forever homes.
After years of devoted service she has actually ended up being a component at the rehoming centre and says she likes every minute, however she didn’t pursue her passion for animals up until in the future in life. After years of effort as a workplace employee in the 3M innovation storage facility, in Newton Aycliffe, a shock cancer identifies required Ailsa to put herself initially.
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She took some time away from the office to receive treatment for breast cancer, however when she returned she began to find it difficult and stressful. It was then that she decided to take early retirement and begin to pursue her passions, including becoming a volunteer for The Dogs Trust.
Ailsa explained: “I actually left work because I had breast cancer, but I went back to work and found it a bit stressful. Then I just thought I want to do something that I want to do and I’m an animal lover.
“When I applied and got the letter I couldn’t believe it, I kept looking and it and just couldn’t believe it – and I’ve never looked back, I just love it.”
For the last eight years she has spent Wednesday and Friday mornings doing ‘anything and everything’ a volunteer at the rehoming centre could do, whether that’s kennel duties, admin, home checks or socialising puppies, there is no job too big or small. She has even been given the task of assisting pups receiving hydrotherapy treatment in the new hydro centre.
After almost a decade she still loves her volunteer work and cherishes bonding with the dogs and helping care for them until they find a home. Adding: “At the end of the day, I’ll do any job because all I want is that ultimate goal.
“It’s lovely when you hear that a dog has got a forever home. It’s just great.”
While she doesn’t have any dogs of her own, she does have three rescue cats at home – Frankie, Timmy and Blue – who she loves coming home to after a day of helping out with the dogs. She also helps to care for her neighbours Labradoodle Sydney, who she regularly takes on walks after his owner’s wife sadly passed unexpectedly last year.
Now thanks to all of her tough work with The Dogs Trust, Ailsa has been named as a finalist in the category Charity Volunteer of the Year at the coveted 2023 Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards. Nominated by her fellow colleagues and volunteers, the mum-of-two said she was ‘overwhelmed’ when she got the call.
She said: “I was just finishing my shift, signing out and they said you need to ring Phil from PetPlan. I was perplexed, I was thinking what’s going on here, but when he told me over the phone it was such a shock and I was so overwhelmed.
“But once it sank in, I feel so proud to be nominated for the charity that I work for. To me I’m a winner anyway due to the fact that I’ve never been nominated for anything like this.”
Ailsa will attend the awards ceremony in May at The International Conference Centre, in Telford, where she is looking forward to donning her glad-rags and getting to meet other animal lovers. While her husband can’t make the evening due to work commitments, she is taking a friend to enjoy the evening with.
On her retirement and dedicated charity work she has said she absolutely loves what she does and has no plans on slowing down, she even checks the website before every visit to see if any of her favourite dogs have discovered a brand-new home. She is grateful for the nomination and likes to work at the rehoming centre and getting to see her favourite dogs, Badger and Maggie, the lurchers and Sky, the Akita-cross.
She added: “I’ve made loads of buddies there throughout the years and they constantly understand that I’m there to help them and I’ll do anything for them.”
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