WHEN Essex Police dog handler Amanda Pollard laced up her walking boots recently, she wasn’t just setting off on a scenic stroll through the Essex countryside, she was stepping out for a cause that’s been close to her heart for over a decade.
Over five days last month, Amanda completed the Essex Way, an 82-mile walk stretching from the train station in Epping to the High Light House in Harwich, raising more than £2,600 for the Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund (ERPDF).
The charity supports the care and wellbeing of retired police dogs, ensuring there is financial help towards vet and other medical costs.
In May, Amanda’s police dog, Pablo, was diagnosed with a cruciate ligament tear in his back right leg. Just a month later, he underwent TPLO surgery which requires eight to 10 weeks of recovery.
Knowing that ERPDF would step in to support Pablo’s rehabilitation, Amanda felt compelled to give something back.
“I wanted to raise as much as I could to help repay the support Pablo needed,” Amanda says.
“The fund has helped me before, and I know how much of a difference it makes. Not just financially, but emotionally too.”
When Amanda tackled the trek, she had to endure soaring temperatures during the July heatwave. While she had hoped to be joined by her other Police Dog, Buddy, the heat meant it was too risky for canine companions. Still, Amanda wasn’t short of support.
Most days she was joined by her husband and had friends and colleagues join for stretches too. But Amanda says the best moments were when she was met along the way by Essex Police puppies, working dogs and retired dogs.
During one of the most gruelling days of the walk, and with 19 miles left to cover in the heat with no shade, Amanda received a much-needed morale boost when she was met by Retired Police Dog (RPD) Nyx.
Amanda’s connection to the ERPDF is longstanding. Over the years, the fund has supported several of her dogs in retirement, including her first pup RPD Quincy as well as RPD Frankie. She also found loving homes for RPD Ralph and RPD Bruno, both of whom were assisted by the charity during their transition to retirement.
Amanda’s dedication to her dogs, both in service and in retirement, is a testament to the relationship between handlers and their four-legged partners. Her fundraising walk is just the latest example of her commitment to their welfare as she hangs up her uniform and retires.
Amanda started her Essex Police journey with a college work experience placement. After spending just one day with the Dog Section, she knew she’d found her calling.
She joined the force as a front-line officer, serving in the West, Harlow, Epping and Loughton. But her heart was always with the dogs and, in January 2006, achieved her dream of joining the Dog Section. This is a role she’s held with pride until her retirement last month.
Speaking about her fundraiser, Amanda says: “I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received. I kept all my supporters up-to-date during the walk by sharing my location and photos along the way. In return the messages of encouragement definitely helped during the tough moments.
“The last week of my service was very memorable. I organised a family fun day for the Dog Section with games, pizza and ice cream. PD Buddy’s last working day was spent at a primary school meeting all the pupils and demonstrating how much he loved his work.
“This was topped off on my last day where I had a lovely meeting with Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Nolan and was given the most fantastic send off by my colleagues after 30 years with Essex Police.”
Amanda’s fundraiser is still open. If you’d like to donate and help the Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund, you can do so by visiting her GoFundMe page.
LINK: https://gofund.me/f849946f
Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund
The charity was set up in 2012 to provide financial help towards vet and welfare costs for retired police dogs.
If you wish to know more about their work, visit their website.
