Not a dog's life since kidney op

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Not a dog's life since kidney op

Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 07:00

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A MAN who took up dog training to keep fit after a kidney transplant has been chosen to compete for a place in the British Dog Agility Championship team.

Former keen sportsman Bob Sharpe (55), of Owston Ferry, was forced to give up playing sport in 2000 following his transplant.

But in order to stay fit, Bob got involved in working as a dog trainer.

He said: "I've always had dogs, I used to do a lot of football and cricket until the operation.

"Training keeps me moving and gets me fit. I go all over the country now – it's been brilliant since, I've had no trouble whatsoever."

Bob has been training dogs for the past six years and currently works with his six-year-old Border Collie, Flynn.

For the past two years the top trainer has worked alongside Hannah Houldsworth (27), of Lloyds Avenue, Scunthorpe, at the Field of Dreams dog training school, Kirton in Lindsey.

Having competed in various dog competitions since last April, Bob and Hannah have each collected enough points to make it into the top 40 agility competitors in the country.

As a result they are now eligible to compete for a place in the British team for the European Open Dog Agility Championships in April 2009.

For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.

http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/news/dog-s-life-kidney-op/article-575085-detail/article.html