Lives transformed by swimming with Newfoundland dogs

People taking part in the sessions are ‘rescued’ by a Newfoundland

(Image credit: Pete Lewin Newfoundlands)

published 7 September 2023

Paramedic Pete Lewin is transforming the lives of firefighters, police officers and soldiers suffering from PTSD by taking them swimming with his Newfoundland dogs. Those taking part in the therapy put on a dry suit and a lifejacket, and wade into the middle of a lake in Leicestershire, where they float on their backs in silence. When their time is up, they are “rescued” by a Newfoundland: the dog swims out to them, before gently towing them back to shore. “The dogs don’t judge you,” said Kevin Robinson, who did four tours in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. “All they want to do is look after you. It keeps me happy for two to three days.”

Salisbury Cathedral restoration is finally complete

It took 38 years to build the main body of Salisbury Cathedral. Now, a 37-year project to restore the great mediaeval building is finally complete, and the scaffolding that has shrouded it for decades – as specialist stone masons and glaziers worked their way around the exterior – is set to be removed. By mid-November, all traces will be gone, said clerk of works Gary Price, “and the cathedral will stand in glory as it did in the 14th century, after the spire was added”.

A five-year-old from Sunderland has become the youngest person to walk the almost 200-mile Coast to Coast trail. Ollie Sainthouse walked from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire with his father Paul. The pair managed an average of 12 miles a day, and camped for eight of the 15 nights. Early on, they had to pitch their tent next to a wall for shelter as Storm Betty struck. “He complained a bit about the weather, and so did I,” said Paul, “but once we were through that, I thought there is no stopping him now.”