Essex Police dog handler takes on 82 mile trek to support retired police dogs
Over five days Amanda Pollard raised more than £2,600 for the Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund
Over five days last month, Essex Police dog handler Amanda Pollard completed the Essex Way, an 82 - mile walk stretching from the train station in Epping to the High Light House in Harwich.
Amanda raised more than £2,600 for the Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund (ERPDF).
The charity supports the care and wellbeing of retired police dogs by 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.
The ERPDF stepped in to support Pablo’s rehabilitation, and Amanda wanted to give something back. She says:
“I wanted to raise as much as I could to help repay the support Pablo needed.
“The fund has helped me before, and I know how much of a difference it makes. Not just financially, but emotionally too.”
When Amanda took on the trek it was during the July heatwave and she had to endure soaring temperatures.
She had hoped to be joined by her other Police Dog, Buddy but the heat meant it was too risky for him to join.
However, Amanda was joined by other supporters including her husband, and friends and colleagues joined for stretches of the trek.
She says the best moments of the walk were when she was met along the way by Essex Police puppies, working dogs and retired dogs.
Over the years, the fund has supported several of Amanda's dogs in retirement, including her first pup RPD Quincy as well as RPD Frankie.
She also found homes for RPD Ralph and RPD Bruno, both of whom were assisted by the charity during their transition to retirement.
Amanda started her time at Essex Police with a college work experience placement.
She then joined the force as a front-line officer, serving in the West, Harlow, Epping and Loughton. In January 2006, she achieved her dream of joining the Dog Section, a role she held 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.”