In 2014 the refuge in Tarbes put out a plea for blankets. Lynn responded, decided to raise money and then to create a hub to help some of the dogs that were obviously struggling. And Les Amis des Animaux grew from there!

Lynn says, “I have to pinch myself every time I see the statistics – how can this be possible! I think it has happened because we have stuck to a philosophy of no force on anyone – volunteers, fosterers and adopters; no silly rigid rules but focusing on a good match between animal and family; a true respect for people who offer help and no recriminations when they need to pull away; and a fantastic team that has grown over the years, each one with “can do” written through them like a stick of rock”.
Lynn has shown, trained, worked, bred and judged curly-coated retrievers for over 30 years. In the photo with Lynn is Mandy, who is part-curly-coated retriever.