A veteran with a heart of gold has received recognition for his selfless acts after walking strangers’ dogs for years.
74-year-old John Howarth is a dedicated dog walker who has been helping the sick and elderly people in his community for 13 years by walking their dogs.
As the veteran, who served in UK’s Royal Navy explained, he “really loves dogs” which is why he decided to help other community members by walking their dogs if they can’t.
After serving as a volunteer for The Cinnamon Trust – a charity for the ill, the elderly, and their pets – for more than a decade, Mr. Howarth has been presented with a long service award.
“For some people who live alone, having someone to walk their dogs means the dog gets exercise, and they get contact from someone on a regular basis,” the UK-based veteran, who served in the navy for 22 years, told LADbible.
“Some volunteers for the trust don’t walk dogs every day, but I do as I hate to think of the dog expecting a walk and them being disappointed. Mostly the dogs are oldish too, so a half-hour walk is sufficient.
“All people seem to be grateful for my help, some don’t see anyone else for the whole day – the dogs are always pleased to see me, and I am happy to see them.”
While meeting new people and dogs is always a blessing, John was also forced to undergo a lot of grief and loss as people he got to help for years eventually passed away.
“He is a very kind man, and really loves dogs, and that is his motivation for 14 years service to The Cinnamon Trust. I am very proud of him, as are our two daughters,” the veteran’s wife, Ginny, added in an interview with LADbible.
As for John, he shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to his selfless cause. As he revealed, he intends to keep on walking other people’s dogs for as long as he is able to.
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Replaced!