National Foundation for Retired Service Animals visits Northamptonshire Police Dog Section

From left to right: Suzanne Steele, PC Bradley Bowman, RPD Gru, Lady Bathurst, Inspector Hayley Lythgoe, Sam Tiley.

Members of the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) visited Northamptonshire Police Force Headquarters last month (January) to meet members of the dog Section.

The NFRSA was founded in 2022 by Lady Bathurst.

The charity supports animals, including dogs and horses, who have served with agencies such as the police, the National Crime Agency, prison services, Border Force, and fire service.

In just under three years, the NFRSA has assisted with more than £100,000 in grants and this January was the charity’s busiest month with £10,000 paid out to help several retired service animals.

Last month (January 29), Lady Bathurst joined NFRSA Operations Manager - Suzanne Steel and NFRSA management committee member - Sam Tiley, on a visit to the Force’s Dog Section at Wootton Hall in Northampton.

Whilst there, they met current police dogs - Socks, Rosie, Pyper, Bryn and Kola, as well as trainee puppies - Snoopy and Indy.

Special guests Retired Police Dogs Gru and Fama, both registered with the NFSRA, also came out of retirement for a shift to welcome them.

Dog Handler - PC Bradley Bowman said: “We were really pleased to host the team from NFSRA, and I hope they enjoyed meeting all of our current, retired and trainee police dogs.

“All three of our retired PDs – Gru, Fama and Olly, are all registered with the charity and we are so grateful for the work that they do to help our retired service animals.

“Without charities like them, the handlers or new owners of our RPDs would have no support with veterinary bills and would be forced to make difficult decisions without the ability to fall back on insurance. 

“Our retired police dogs have served their communities with distinction and deserve a long and happy retirement where they are cared for. 

“The work of the NFSRA is invaluable and I would like to thank them for their work and for taking the time to come and visit us. All of them are welcome back anytime.”

From left to right: Sam Tiley, PC Steve Poole, RPD Fama, Lady Bathurst, Suzanne Steele and PC Bradley Bowman.