Madi was one of two puppies we kept from our first litter of Bernese.  We also kept her brother Heiko.  We did show her as a puppy, but she hated being shown.  I remember the very first time that we showed her at an open show in Sheffield.  She had been to ring craft classes and behaved very well, but when we entered the hall, it was a highly polished wooden floor and she planted herself and we could not get her to move!  We eventually managed to push her across the floor to the ring.  She went in OK but then did the same in the ring.  I think she was trying to tell us something!  One of her problems has always been her movement, she paces.  However, she does love pulling a cart.  She has had three litters of puppies.  Out of her first litter we kept a female Staubach Mountain Thrift otherwise known as "Jodi". From  her third litter we kept Staubach Forever and Always - "Jorka".   The highlight of every week for Madi is her work as a Pets as Therapy dog, she visits Beaumont Hill Special School in Darlington, where she works with children aged 8-18. In 2007 the school nominated her for a National Award for P.A.T. Dog of the Year. This is the schools nomination: 

OUR FRIEND MADI (Bernese Mountain Dog)

Madi works with a group of students, who have physical and complex learning difficulties.  These children communicate using non verbal means such as gesture, eye pointing, touching.  Some of the children have hearing and/or visual impairments, one girl is registered blind.

Madi and her friend Ian have become regular visitors not only to our class, but also her popularity has taken her into other areas of the school.

Madi's presence in the classroom can bring an immediate sense of calm.  Her closeness and persistence can relax children who are feeling unhappy.  She instictively approaches "those individuals in need" and is undeterred by the individual's initial uncooperative nature.  It's wonderful to watch her "work her magic".

A few children within this class are frightened to explore anything within their immediate environment, often termed tactile selective.  The need to be aware and the ability to interact with people is a precursor to learning.  Madi can support this very important target.  The children can hear her panting, feel the breeze when she wags her tail and feel her lovely soft fur.  With one child in particular, it has encouraged him to vocalise. Good attempts have been made to say her name.  His pleasure in his own achievements are obvious.

Finally, and in my opinion, one of the most important benefits, she can bring fun and happiness to the group.

For this I would like to nominate her for "P.A.T. Dog of the Year"

By Lynne Baugley (Teacher) 

Total Puppies from 3 litters 16:

9 males and 7 females

3rd June 2009: Happy 10th Birthday to a very special active girl who is loved by everyone she meets.