Northern set to celebrate canine companions

Northern is inviting dog owners to get on the train with their pooches this half term and enjoy the end of Dogtober.

October sees many beaches across the north of England relax conditions for dogs and Northern is calling on dog-lovers to leave the car at home, head for the coast and enjoy all that the North has to offer.

And four-legged friends will be the focus of Northern’s attention on Tuesday (22 Dogtober) when 10 Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs will be given a free-ride on one of Northern’s brand-new trains (from Preston to Blackpool) before enjoying a day on the beach.

Pets As Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983 by Lesley Scott-Ordish. It enhances health and wellbeing in the community through the visits of trusted volunteers with their behaviourally assessed animals. PAT provides a visiting service in hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues all across the UK.

But it’s not just the PAT dogs that will be pampered pooches, Northern is invited other dog owners in the area to hit the sand with doggy bags – featuring Northern goodies and dog toys – on offer to those taking part.

Camera-loving canines will also be well catered for with Northern offering a limited number of professional portraits in a specially prepared, dog-friendly photo booth.

Media are invited to attend the event at Blackpool beach to interview Northern staff, representatives from PAT and maybe even a loquacious Labrador.

Any media who would like to attend should email Northern’s press office at press.office@northernrailway.co.uk or call 01904 568652.