'A Dog Called Hope' - Evening with Author Damien Lewis at Stratton

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28th April 2016

Join author for book launch of ‘A Dog Called Hope’ and help transform lives

Prestigious author Damien Lewis invites you to celebrate his new novel ‘A Dog Called Hope’ at a book launch – and is supporting two charities in the process.

The ticketed event will take place at Stratton Village Hall, in Stratton, Dorchester, on Thursday 26 May from 7pm. Damien, the number one selling author of The Nazi Hunters and Zero Six Bravo, will give a talk about the book, where he gets his inspiration from and will be signing copies of the book at the evening reception. xx

‘A Dog Called Hope’ is an inspiring read about how assistance dog Napal enabled American Special Operations soldier Jason Morgan to rebuild his life, reconnect with his family and to find true peace against the odds. Jason was left paralysed by an anti-narcotics mission that went badly wrong, his wife left him and overnight he became a paraplegic father with three young boys to raise. He had lost the two things which defined him: his military service, plus his family and marriage. Battling depression and wheelchair-bound, Jason heard about the American not-for-profit organisation Canine Companions for Independence, and made the life-changing decision to get one of their service dogs for wounded veterans.

All proceeds from the inspiring evening will go towards helping two charities; Canine Partners, which provides assistance dogs for service personnel and civilians with physical disabilities, and Bravehound, which provides training and dogs to support veterans.

Former Royal Artillery soldier Jonathon Giemza-Pipe will give a talk during the evening about how his life has changed since being matched with canine partner Toby in July 2014. Jonathon has a spinal injury and says Canine Partners has transformed his life.

Toby has helped his family discover what it is like to laugh again and has enabled him to lead a more independent life. Father-of-three Jonathon explained: “Toby’s given me the confidence to get out more and enjoy life. Just the other day I was at Waterloo station in London and I dropped my ticket. I couldn’t pick it up and people just walked on by, but Toby instinctively picked it up and gave it to me. It is the same if I drop a pen, he picks it up... anything really. Small things can make a big difference.”

The book ‘A Dog Called Hope’, which has so far reached number 12 in the UK Bestsellers Book Chart, is in development with LA-based Safran Films (The Choice, The Conjuring) with screenplay by Richard LaGravenese (The Horse Whisperer) and agented by Luke Speed (Curtis Brown).

Tickets to the launch evening are £10 for an adult, which includes a glass of wine and nibbles, and £5 for a child under 16. To purchase a ticket and secure a place contact Paul Sherratt by email sherratt431@aol.com or by calling 01305 269266.

 

For further press information contact Laura Molyneaux,

P:01730 716052, E: lauram@caninepartners.org.uk

Canine Partners, Mill Lane, Heyshott, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0ED

T 08456 580480   F 08456 580481   E info@caninepartners.org.uk

Visit Canine Partners’ Web site at www.caninepartners.org.uk

Registered charity number 803680                                                                                     

Registered in Scotland  SCO39050

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