A MOTHER from Shebbear is raising awareness of a charity that helps children with dogs after witnessing the positive impact is has had on her son.

Rachel Landy­more was inspired by North Devon-based charity, Dogs Helping Kids (DHK), after it helped her son, Liam.

DHK is a unique national charity dedicated to using highly trained dogs to work in schools and libraries as educational therapeutic aids.

Rachel, who is now the charity's fundraising co-ordinator and a dog trainer, has seen first hand the positive impact DHK can have on children.

Speaking to members of the Holsworthy Community Forum recently, Rachel said the charity has helped turn Liam's life around. For eight years he suffered from PTSD and depression. With the help of DHK and especially through one-to-one therapy with his dog, Charlie, Liam is much more confident.

Now 16, Liam has become a young ambassador for the charity and set up an extension called MOB (Men on Board), which aims to encourage men to be proactive in force-free, positive dog training, education and dog safety.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.