ANIMAL lovers across the south are getting ready to pedal across the South Downs to raise funds for assistance dog charity Canine Partners.

The charity, which helps a number of people across Hampshire, is seeing its annual Pedal For Paws South return on September 30.

Other key events the assistance dog charity holds include its Puppy Party, which was held in Fareham, and the Christmas Coffee Morning.

The cycling event will aim to raise vital funds for the charity. Last year, 100 pedalers took to the streets.

Julie Graham took part in the 2016 event and said the charity does life-saving work.

She said: “I decided to take part in Canine Partners’ Pedal For Paws cycle because it’s a fantastic charity to support, the dogs do amazing work and really do change the lives of the people they are partnered with.

“Don’t worry if you’ve not done any training as there is a shorter route and a longer route, so take whichever one you fancy and just give it a go!”

The dogs are taught a range of everyday tasks to help boost the independence of those who require assistance. Those tasks include picking up and fetching items, opening doors and helping a person get dressed. They can even help to load and unload a washing machine and they can fetch help in an emergency.

Kerenza Holzman, who lives near the charity’s Southern Training Centre is encouraging people to take part in the event to raise money for the charity that gave her independence back. After routine surgery left her with post traumatic stress disorder leading to Myalgic Encephalopathy, Kerenza was left needing a wheelchair.

She was matched with her canine partner Whisky in June 2012.

She said: “I’ve had Whisky for six years and he’s really changed my life as before him I was quite depressed.

“I’ve now made friends, met loads of new people and I feel like I have a life again.”

Tickets cost £20 for adults and £10 for under 16s. Registration opens from 8am and the routes are 29 miles long, and 52 miles long. For more information, contact 01530 225939 or email helenw@caninepartners.org.uk.