FEATURE: Pet owners and volunteers praise impact of Cinnamon Trust charity

When Linda Palmer seriously injured her shoulder, she had no choice but to stop walking her dog.

Unable to provide her beloved Cavachon with regular exercise, the heartbreaking decision of having Bella rehomed was an inevitable prospect.

“I was told it wasn’t a good idea to walk my dog – I could barely move my arm because I had pain in my chest,” she says.

The extent of her injury was eventually revealed during an MRI scan, which followed a warning from her doctor that she must rest in order to aid the recovery process.

“It came as a bit of a shock when I was told it could take an average of two years to heal,” explains Linda, who lives in Newton, near Sudbury.

Combined with other health issues, the 71-year-old, who is disabled, was in no position to return to her usual routine with Bella.

During a visit to the vets, Linda learnt of the Cinnamon Trust, a nationwide charity which provides support to elderly pet owners, or those suffering from terminal illness.

After contacting the charity, a number of volunteers were arranged to take Bella for weekly walks, enabling her to remain at home with Linda.

“If I hadn’t had this help, I would have had to think of giving Bella up,” she says. “It’s quite lonely and isolating living on your own.”

The support offered through the charity has proved a lifeline for her, along with thousands of pet owners across England and Wales.

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s a free service for the elderly, disabled and terminally ill – it’s just a godsend,” she says.

The weekly visits also provide Linda with social interaction.

“It gives me a bit more human contact – it brightens up my day,” she says, adding that the service is highly beneficial to both her and Bella.

“She knows when the volunteers are coming. She does not suffer from separation anxiety one bit; she’s very eager to go out and loves the adventures they take her on. It’s an absolute lifeline.”

At the moment, Bella is walked by two volunteers who live close-by, with another set to join the rota in the coming weeks, thanks to an online appeal on the charity’s social media page.

In between the weekly walks, Bella is able to gain exercise in the garden.

Without the support of the charity to rely on, there would be no other alternatives for Linda.

“My friends are around my age and a lot of them are disabled,” she says.

The thought of living without an animal for a pet lover, such as Linda, seems unimaginable.

“I have always had dogs in my life, so it would be strange not to have one,” she says, adding that the support of the charity has provided her with reassurance that Bella will always be cared for.

“My health has sadly declined in the two years since I’ve had her. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but, now that I have the support of the Cinnamon Trust, I know that they will help out.”

Volunteer Jean White, of Vicarage Lane, Acton, joined the nationwide network of 15,000 volunteers two years ago, and has since provided a lifeline to both Linda and another elderly owner whose dog she walks each week.

“I thought volunteering would be ideal because I love dogs and I’m able to help people, too,” she says. “As a pet owner myself, I wouldn’t be without them.”

Each week, Jean walks Bella and Sam, an eight-year-old golden labrador from Lavenham, along with her own dog Summer.

Sam’s owner suffers from a bad hip, meaning she can no longer walk him herself.

“It’s knowing you’re helping someone out,” says Jean, who, as a former volunteer at Suffolk and Essex Small Animal Welfare charity in Leavenheath, saw first-hand the heartbreak of pet owners, who were forced to rehome their animals when the level of care became too demanding.

“The number of elderly people who have to give up their pets is quite high and they’re devastated when they have to do that,” adds Jean, who recognises the importance of the charity’s service in preventing owners having to contemplate that decision.

“I would imagine that, for some people, it’s the only company they have,” said the 72-year-old.

Jean recognises the health and social benefits from owning a pet, along with the companionship it provides.

“I think it’s well known that we’re more happy when we have a cat to stroke or a dog to cuddle – it’s company for people,” explains Jean, adding that the service also provides social interaction for the volunteers as well as the pet owners.

“It gives people an opportunity to make friends,” she says. “Sometimes, I pop in after I’ve walked Bella and I have a cup of coffee with Linda. It’s quite common for volunteers to make friends with the owners – it benefits everyone.

“They’re obviously very grateful and pleased that their dogs are getting the exercise they need.”

The charity also takes on the responsibility of rehoming animals or securing a foster home for owners who do not have any alternative support.

“It’s comforting to know that their pets are going to be looked after when they die,” adds Jean.