Dog shows have been 'life changing' for drama teacher finalist in top dog awards
A Sleaford secondary school drama teacher has revealed how entering the world of competitive dog shows has had a “life changing” effect on her mental wellbeing.
Karen Clifton has been Head of Drama & Performing Arts at St George’s Academy for just over 20 years.
“As a teacher I absolutely love my job but just over three years ago I made the decision to begin the hobby of exhibiting my Pekingese dogs at show level,” said Karen.
“Taking on this hobby has had such a positive, life changing effect. For many years I have suffered with severe anxiety related disorders and finding such a passion has made a huge difference to my life.”
Having owned and loved the Pekingese breed for over 40 years she finally took the leap to step inside a dog show ring. “My mum bought me my first Peke at 10 years old and the only hint of sadness is that I lost her to dementia two years ago so she never got to see this achievement,” said Karen. “My mental health problems were manifested in social anxiety, lack of self-worth, driving anxiety and body dysmorphia. I now travel to all of the shows alone, often leaving in the middle of the night to arrive at a showground when it first opens and this has given me such a sense of freedom and independence,” she revealed.
“I have also found that I can really be myself and feel accepted for who I am without having to pretend to be someone I'm not which is a terrible trap which I fell into for many years.”
Spending her working days with teenage students she is fully aware of the widely-reported issues with poor mental health among young people, and so just before Christmas she took her dogs into school and delivered an assembly to sixth formers, talking about her journey and how finding a passion can make a positive change.
"The feedback was brilliant and I really hope that I made a difference to some of our students,” said Karen
Her passion for dog showing has taken her over 40 000 miles and to almost 200 shows. As a result, Karen was nominated for the ‘Pawscars’ charity category of Best Special Beginner of the Year and is now one of four finalists selected to attend a huge gala event at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on the evening of Wednesday, March 4.
Pawscars is a premier event in the UK pedigree dog world calendar and raises money for good causes.
"Being selected as one of the finalists means the absolute world to me,” says Karen. “The Special Beginners classes at Championship Shows allow those of us who are new to the sport the opportunity to show in the Best in Show ring. I am never prouder than when they announce, ‘Next in the ring is the Pekingese’ and I look down at my dog and realise that I am representing this beautiful breed. Being selected as a finalist is the pinnacle of my journey so far and I am beyond proud.”
The winner of the category is decided by public vote which goes live later this week and of course, Karen would love to win.
The event coincides with the week of the prestigious UK dogs show Crufts, which Karen has also qualified for and will be attending with all three of her Pekingese on Saturday March 7 which is the ‘Toy’ breeds day of showing.
Wicket is four and is entered into Limit Dog class, Queenie is three and is entered into Post Graduate Bitch class and Oni will be two and is entered into Post Graduate Dog section.