JOCK Legends

Hoedspruit might be a little forgotten corner close to the Kruger National Park in Limpopo for most of us. But for Hoedspruit Animal Outreach (or HALO), it’s the place where they make a huge difference to both the lives of dogs, their owners, and the wild animals of the area.

In the township of Mpophomeni in the KZN Midlands children are learning a very val-uable life lesson: that caring for other living beings enhances one’s own sense of self and confidence to achieve. JOCK spoke to Funda Nenja’s Adrienne Olivier about this remarkable project which uses dog training as a vehicle for personal development.

Sharing is caring — the students of Vet Books for Africa. Knowledge is power. And for a small group of veterinary students of the University of Pretoria, this power is something they want to share to make a change in the world. JOCK spoke to Graham Taylor from Vet Books for Africa about their upcoming trip and how they are improving the lives of dogs and other animals.

A passion for sighthounds has brought a growing group of volunteers together with a single-minded vision: to find a loving home for every adorable, abandoned sighthound in the country. We spoke to Sighthound Rescue SA co-founder Cheryl Campbell about this inspiring project. One look at a whippet or greyhound in full flight on an open field is enough to understand the unbridled devotion of sighthound owners.

Two boys. One sick dog. Four hours of walking. And seven rand. These are the elements in a remarkable story that has gripped the nation’s imagination recently. Jerry and Peter’s story is an inspiring one, and one JOCK would love to share with you.

Some individuals remind us that there’s nothing that can’t be accomplished through passion and persistence. Meet Christina Masemola, manager of the Centurion SPCA and head of the SPCA inspectorate: A true guardian of animal rights, Christina has been involved with the SPCA for over 18 years.

Dogs have been companions to blind people for centuries. An ancient Roman mural even depicts a blind man with a dog. Yet South Africa’s first official training school was only established in 1953 by Gladys Evans after she returned from England with her guide dog, Sheena.Training a guide dog is no mean feat. Training starts at about 1 year and takes 18 to 24 months to complete. And about a third of the puppies don’t make the cut.

The symbiotic relationship between dogs and humans dates back thousands of years. Yet how many people know that dogs are hard at work to ensure our safety every time we get onto an aeroplane? We chatted to Melissa Hofmann, Senior Wildlife Officer at O.R. Tambo International Airport about the canine heroes who patrol the airfields

Sometimes even a hero needs to be rescued. Ask Olive, the Eastern Cape’s best rescue dog from 2014 to 2016, and today, probably the most famous. In February this handsome German Shepherd first saved a man’s life, and then needed a bit of saving himself. Here’s how things unfolded.   For constable Songezile Katikati, life