Meet The Team
Julie Sadler
Behaviourist
I’ve known Kerry for many years through Midland Greyhound and lurcher rescue/rehoming (plus a few Fat Head Staffies too), I love that she is driven to provide the best possible chance for her hounds. I used to visit her kennels twice weekly to do TTouch and training sessions with the kennels dogs, it was so rewarding working with these hounds at the start of their new life.
I am passionate about Greyhounds and lurchers and also passionate about showing people what these amazing dogs can achieve – for years I refused to have a Greyhound telling a Greyhound-owning friend that they were really boring and just pottered along doing nothing else much- she often reminds me !!! Then in 2001 I adopted a very nervous Irish ex-racer from Dogs Trust and was hooked.
I also had found the Tellington TTouch Training Method (TTouch), it is a lovely effective training system that works ‘with’ the dog (or any animal) using bodywork (the TTouches), bodywraps/Thundershirts and leading exercises to bring the dog into physical, mental and emotional balance, like us once a dog or any animal is confident then unwanted behaviours fade and disappear. I had first used it with a horse I’d bred and it transformed his behaviour so I joined the Practitioner Training and am now a Senior TTouch Practitioner, TTouch is the base of all the training I do with dogs and horses.
Ive also rescently passed the IMDT Level 5 course Analysis & Application with an excellent course average of 80%
Hopefully I have spoken to many of you who have adopted a hound from Kerry, I contact Kerry’s new adopters and check if their new hound has settled in well or if I can help with any questions or queries that people might have- personally I think these calls are an excellent idea to give people reassurance and I wish more rescues would do them. These initial calls are free, I am also available if anyone wants behaviour or training help and advice in the future – just give me a ring or email.
DoeDoe
Chinese rescuer
DoeDoe is a Chinese rescuer who first heard about the horrors of the meat trade four years ago. As soon as she found out what was happening in her own country she wanted to help the dogs and has now dedicated her life to rescuing them. Doe is a hugely valuable member of the team and a dear friend. Doe is what decent kind people in China stand for and we can’t thank her enough.
The Trustees
Kerry Elliman
Founder and the chair of Candy's Hound Rescue International
Kerry has been involved with Greyhounds for most of her life. She founded sister rescue Greyhound Protection UK ( formerly BGP) in June 2012 when, after a few years of rehoming greyhounds, she could see there was a big gap; a need to help greyhounds that were not lucky enough to be put into the mainstream greyhound rescues.
She founded Candy’s Hound Rescue International (formally Candy Cane Rescue) on 25th of June 2017.
Kerry has three small children, 3 cats, 5 Greyhounds, 1 meat trade hound, and Romanian lurcher.
Maura Berrini
Trustee
Maura adopted her first two Irish greyhounds in 2016. She was immediately interested to understand more about the racing industry and the meat trade in China. This grew into her active involvement with the organisation. She supports Candy’s Hound Rescue International wholeheartedly.
Susan Cotton
Trustee
Susan adopted her first greyhound in 1996 and has been involved with them ever since. The greyhound in the photo is Prince Seren who was saved in China by Doe Doe and was brought to the UK by Kerry before Candy’s Hound Rescue International was formed. Susan also cares for rescued bunny rabbits who keep her busy!
David Gibson
Trustee
David rescued his first greyhounds in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the breed. He has been supportive of Candy’s Hound Rescue International from the day it was founded and strongly believes in our cause and mission.
Karen Hassan
Trustee and Flight volunteer for the UK
Rescuing greyhound Rosie from Birmingham Greyhound Protection changed Karen’s life… literally. Karen lives in Hampshire with Rosie and Hamish (a border terrier). Through Rosie she met Kerry and started to follow BGP and Candy’s Hound Rescue International. In April 2017 she made her first trip to China with Kerry – an amazing experience. Karen says of the experience ” it was heartbreaking, exhilarating, humbling and knackering but knowing you helped change the lives of so many abused dogs makes it all worthwhile”. It never ceases to amaze Karen how these poor dogs crave human touch and are so trusting after everything they have been through. ❤️
Gwenda Watt
Super Fundraiser UK
Gwenda rescued her first greyhound, Banjo, five years ago and fell head over heels in love with him and the breed. She currently live in Stiringshire, Scotland with hubby, two sons, two greyhounds (Snoopy & Charlie), two cats, two rabbits and a chicken!. She runs a cottage industry making cushions and logo embroidery services. She started using her creative skills to fundraise for the Greyhound Awareness League. When she discovered the plight of the China greyhounds she was so upset and desperate to help them but had no idea where to start. When Kerry set up Candy’s Hound Rescue International she realised there were many people out there who felt the same as her. Shortly after she set up the “Candy’s Hound Rescue International Fundraising Group” and teamed up with Sharon. The group has grown in numbers and is now a hugely motivated, amazing team of people, connected by their love of greyhounds, who raise funds to help support the work of the charity.
The Team
Sharon Podmore
Super Fundraiser UK
Sharon has always loved animals and has been around dogs since she was born. She rescued her first Greyhound, Heidi, in 2007 and became totally hooked on their gentle and loving nature. She started volunteering by walking the Greyhounds at her local rescue kennels and then started organising fundraising events. Sharon co-runs “The Candy’s Hound Rescue International Fundraising Group” on Facebook with Gwenda. She is married to Dave and they live in Herefordshire where they are currently owned by two Greyhounds, 11 year old Roo and Elli aged 7.
Jacqueline Howard
Super Fundraiser USA
With her husband, Albert, Jacqueline adopted her first greyhound in 2000. Since then, she has volunteered in greyhound rescue and served on a Board of Trustees for a greyhound rescue group. Jacqueline is also the host and producer of the “About Greyhounds” podcast and has fostered over 100 greyhounds with her family. Jacqueline is a writer and by day works for a Fortune 50 company; her company recognized her as the Volunteer of the Year in 2017 and 2018––this led to an electronic billboard featuring her and her greyhound Baron, being displayed on the Times Square billboard both years. She’s also authored two humorous fiction books, “Son of a Dog” and “Cruise to Nowhere,” both featuring rescued greyhounds. In 2019, Jacqueline and Albert adopted Felix, a Candy’s Hound International Rescue greyhound from China.
Ellen Ganopoulos
Super Fundraiser USA
Ellen has tirelessly worked in greyhound rescue since 1995. That’s when she and her husband, Bill, adopted their first greyhound. Ellen served as a long-time trustee of a greyhound rescue group and fostered countless greyhounds––nursing several to health after they suffered catastrophic racing injuries. Over the last ten years, Ellen has worked as a crisis counselor and has been a greyhound therapy dog handler specializing in NJ state disaster/terrorism mental health response. Since 2012, Ellen also took on rescue efforts of galgos and podencos in Spain and will have made her 26th New York and Madrid round trip to bring dogs to the States for placement in loving homes.
Angela Kilner
Super Fundraiser UK (North)
Angela has been involved with dog rescue for the past 15 years and has covered all aspects of rescue from fostering, homechecking, assessing and transporting. However, her passion is fundraising so she asked Kerry would she mind if she raised some funds for Candy’s Hound International Rescue. Angela heads up a small group of volunteers focusing on events within the greater Manchester, Lancashire & North Cheshire. If you would like to join the Northern fundraising team please contact Angela on 07779913089 or send her a message via Facebook messenger.
Nancy Ann Jones
Flight volunteer for American Rescues
Ever since the day she first fell in love with the breed many years ago at a meet-and-greet outside of the Cleveland Zoo, greyhounds have been an increasingly important part of Nancy’s life. From adopting and sharing her home with seven Greys and one Galgo over the past decade to fostering and volunteering with rescues, nothing has brought her more joy.
Shortly after adopting her seventh Greyhound, Sebastian, a survivor of the infamous Canidrome in Macau, Nancy began traveling to China as a flight volunteer bringing back numerous dogs rescued from the meat trade to find their forever homes. She and her husband currently live with two Greys, Sebastian Flynn Jones and Sophia Grace Jones, and their newest family member, Hugo Mateo Jones, a Galgo rescued from Spain by Galgos del Sol.
