Kath fulfils dream to go to Crufts

Strode Park Foundation’s resident dog lover will be taking a trip to Crufts in March.

Kath Gowan, who has been a resident at Strode Park House since 1962 has longed to take a trip to Crufts.

Now, thanks to a few phone calls she has been gifted the opportunity to visit the show on Sunday 10 March – to watch her favourite category of dogs in the Terrier and Hound group.

Kath has Cerebral Palsy, which is a brain injury she was born with, joined the home back in the sixties at age 26. It’s here she met her late husband, Barrie.

Kath has watched Crufts with fondness every year and has been a lifelong lover of dogs and she regularly enjoys the visits from the Pets as Therapy dogs which come into the home, in Herne.

Kath will be joined on her trip to Birmingham NEC, with her friend Eve and Strode’s resident driver Jamie Wilson.

Throughout the day Kath is looking forward to dog agility, dog activity displays, seeing all the exhibits and most of all getting to meet lots of furry friends.

Activities Co-ordinator, Lisa Glendinning, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to organise this trip for Kath. She really is excited about it. It was her long-time wish to go to a dog show and we’ve managed to get her to the best dog show in the world. We can’t wait to hear all about her day and what she gets up to and we look forward to sharing that with our other residents.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Crufts who have played an important role in making this happen.”

Strode Park House is a residential home with nursing care for 55 adults with physical disabilities and complex needs in Herne, Kent. The team at Strode Park House ensures our residents live in a safe and secure environment; each person’s individual wellbeing, dignity and choice is vitally important within the community of residents who live at or come for a short break.