OATS PROJECT TO HELP OUR

INJURED SOLDIERS (Nov 2014)

O.A.T.S.

TWO MORE EXPERT ORGANISATIONS JOIN THE

PROJECT TO HELP OUR SOLDIERS

Regimental Casualty Officer

Welsh Guards

Regimental Headquarters Welsh Guards,

Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London, SW1E 6HQ

Mobile: 07456 985729

E-Mail: welshguardsrco@gmail.com

17th November 2014

Dear Sir/Madam, I am the Regimental Casualties Officer for the Welsh Guards. One of my roles is to support Welsh Guards-men who have been injured on Operations, serving their country. The injuries range from life altering amputations to mental health problems e.g. PTSD. One of their main concerns, on being discharged from the Army, is what employment opportunities will be on offer to them. After an initial meeting with Jim Vernon and Gavin, I am thrilled to support the opportunity on offer, of re-training as dog handlers. Jim and his team are kindly offering to support my injured soldiers and have already taken one of my young Guardsmen on a briefing and recce day in North Wales. After this session, my injured soldier and his Mother sent me an email to thank Jim and say that he felt much better about his future prospects. There will be more training days in the early New Year, where I hope to bring along some more of my injured soldiers. Any assistance provided to these young soldiers, who have given so much to their country, is greatly appreciated. I look forward to working with OATS in the future. Thank you for you support, it means a great deal. Yours sincerely

Jiffy

JP Myers MBE

Regimental Casualty Officer

Welsh Guards

Mobile: 07456 985729

Email: welshguardsrco@gmail.com

Mr Matthew Ellmer Regimental Casualty Officer

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS

GRENADIER GUARDS WELLINGTON BARRACKS

BIRDCAGE WALK LONDON

SW1E 6HQ TELEPHONE :Work; 07909533574

E-MAIL: rco@grengds.com Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently the Regimental Casualty Officer working for the Grenadier Guards. I look after wounded soldiers, their families and our bereaved families from the Regiment who have been wounded or killed in action whilst serving their country. On a recent meeting with Jim Vernon O.A.T.S. we established that there was an opportunity to support wounded Grenadiers through working with dogs. I believe that having the opportunity to offer wounded soldiers and their families the opportunity to work, especially with dogs is a step in the right direction. It will give the wounded veteran an opportunity to work, to help with their recovery; It has been proven that working with dogs is a perfect therapy for people with mental health issues. I would like to thank you for taking your time to read this letter and for your kind support, it really does make a difference to the families and soldiers, and shows that the kind people of our country, do sup-port our Soldiers and their Families. Kind regards Matthew Mr Matthew Ellmer Regimental Casualty Officer Grenadier Guards

O.A.T.S. Projects Manager Jim Vernon (Snr)

Jim now 64, is keen to give something back. As ex-Guards himself

and his oldest Son an Engineer EOD Instructor, he has travelled the

world providing training /Dogs or services to law enforcement

agencies for almost 40 years.

His career in training specialist search and other K9 roles began

after his sister was blown up (survived) in the Woolwich Pub

bombing during the IRA terror campaigns in the 70’s.

It has taken him all over the world and Jim has delivered training

with his ex-Chief instructor and long time friend Gavin Hepworth

to the likes of. The FBI/Secret service and many, many, Police units

worldwide. Now they even offer Apprenticeships to long term or

the disadvantaged unemployed and now looking to help disabled.

Gavin is now the chosen K9 Project Leader and Chief Instructor for

this Programme. To train soldiers to train others to in turn help

other disabled persons using specially trained service dogs.

Jim Vernon (Snr) in Geneva

Gavin Hepworth in UAE

Lecturing to FBI/TSA/Bomb Technicians/Aviation/Police in

the USA (Arkansas)

Exhibiting their training skills in Dubai

Employability Training Gavin training lady handlers in the USA