Harbour Hounds is delighted to announce the sponsorship of one amazing dog and incredible lady…meet Scooter and Kirstie. We know you’re going to love hearing all about their wonderful partnership in 2021.

Read their story…

Scooter was picked up on the streets of Portugal at 6 months old by an amazing charity called Dogs Of Portugal and taken to a sanctuary called O’Cantinho Di Milu. Lucky Scooter found his way to Kirstie Martin who gave him his forever home nearly five years ago and they have been inseparable ever since.

“Scooter is a poodle cross and is the most chilled out caring dog we have ever met, which is amazing considering his ruff start in life” says Kirstie. Having suffered PTSD herself, Kirstie thought Scooter would make a perfect Therapy Dog and introduced him to ‘Pets As Therapy UK’.

Read on…Scooter is quite the special dog!

He loves to visit patients, visitors and the staff at St Richards Hospital in Chichester, he also lays with end of life patients who have no visitors or are missing saying goodbye to their own dogs. His intuition seems to seek out those most in need of a ‘Scooter cuddle’.

Scooter has also visited police officers, staff and even vulnerable prisoners at police stations in London, raising morale and calming people dealing with incredibly stressful and traumatic situations.

What an AMAZING dog…as is his mum Kirstie…

Kirstie is an avid surfer, paddleboarder and kayaker. She discovered there were Surf Therapy Dogs in the USA and decided what better way to share more of Scooter’s love!

So, following a reward-based training program devised by the world’s first Surf Therapy Dog, Ricochet, Kirstie patiently taught Scooter to balance and feel completely confident and comfortable on his own surfboard, her paddleboard and kayak.

Scooter entered his first Surf Dog competition in July 2020, it was a virtual online global event run from the HQ of dog surfing, Southern California. Scooter was the only dog from the UK (actually Europe) to take part and he came fourth in his size category.

Scooter is competing at Dog Masters surf competition at Dene Chine beach in Poole on 25th July 2021. We will be there too, so come and join in the fun!!

Further a field he has also been invited to California to take part in next years World Dog Surfing Champs…

Kirstie is a police officer of 24 years service and is passionate about raising awareness of Mental Health. It was just early in 2020 that she was diagnosed with PTSD. Determined to make something positive come from her illness Kirstie has set up a charity with the help of the Global Surf Therapy Organisation, ‘One Wave Is All It Takes’.

Watch this space….One Wave Bracklesham Bay is opening in spring 2021 (once COVID 19 restrictions are lifted). They will be hosting Surf Therapy Sessions called Super Fluro Saturday every other Saturday morning 0900-1100. Attendees will wear something fluorescent to make visible invisible illnesses. There will be a group chat to share stories, ideas and discuss mental health issues, before the chance to surf, paddleboard, kayak, bodyboard or just swim and splash about in the sea. Reaping the benefits of Salt Water Therapy. Also, a 20 minute Yoga/mindfulness session, will round off the morning.

Of course Scooter will be on hand to dish out plenty of cuddles and show off his skills.

We at Harbour Hounds are delighted to be the official sponsor for Scooter and Kirstie and we know the first UK ‘One Wave’ is going to be a HUGE success.

You can follow Scooter’s adventures on his Instagram Page @scooter_surf_therapy_dog or on his Facebook Page @scootersurftherapydog.

To find out more about his Surf Therapy Sessions check out the One Wave Bracklesham Bay Facebook Page @onewavebrackleshambay.