Rita Howson

Rita has for several years worked hard as Chief Executive of support Dogs, recruiting and training staff to train dogs who will assist their disabled clients in many practical ways. The dogs are either trained as Disabllity Assistance Dogs (putting washing into the washing machine, taking out washing and handing each piece of clothing up to waist height, fetching items and picking things up, helping to take jumpers and socks off their client); Seizure alert Dogs who enable people with Epilepsy to live as full a life as possible by giving warning of up to 45 minutes before a fit or Dogs who are trained to work with children who have Autism - giving the child and the carers independence, saftey and freedom.

Rita also works tirelessly fund raising to maintain this Shefifeld-based charity and so ensures that all of the clients can have as full and independent a life as is possible. Many of the dogs trained are Rescue dogs (as is my own Disability Assistance Dog) so the dogs too are given 'new and happy, worthwhile lives'.

I cannot think of a wortheir person to carry the Olympic Torch in this area.