HERE ARE SOME COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH AND WHO SUPPORT SAMSUNG'S PIONEERING ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES.

"Samsung and the Kennel Club have enjoyed a long relationship through their support of Crufts. The Kennel Club is pleased to work with Samsung for many reasons; its active animal programme, its investment into improving the lives of animals in Korea through improved animal welfare standards, its work in the care and preservation of animals in Korea and native to Korea and, crucially, its key role in enacting the Animal Protection Law in 1991. The Kennel Club and Samsung both share the view that attitudes towards animals in Korea can and will change and that Samsung's influence in this area is having a really positive impact."

Rosemary Smart, Chief Executive, The Kennel Club (UK)

“Dogs for the Disabled is delighted to have been associated with Samsung for many years. Samsung has an exemplary record for its work in the field of human-canine interaction and its programmes in Korea are respected by assistance dog programmes throughout the world. Samsung’s reputation as a company with a strong record in corporate social responsibility is amply reflected in its practical actions. Samsung can rightly claim to have made a difference to the lives of many people through its human-canine interaction work and it has always upheld the highest possible standards of dog welfare. Dogs for the Disabled wishes Samsung every success with its future plans.”

Peter Gorbing, Chief Executive, Dogs for the Disabled

"We at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in the UK are very much looking forward to working with Samsung. Samsung's animal welfare staff will be visiting our Training Centre in the UK to learn how to train hearing dogs and how to work with clients who are deaf. We see this as an exciting opportunity to help Samsung to further their animal welfare work in Korea, improving the quality of life not only of dogs but also of deaf people, through the work and companionship that a hearing dog brings."

Andy Cook, Deputy Chief Executive, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

"Samsung is known the world over for their top quality electronics but they are less well known for the generosity, professional and business management skills they have brought to the field of Guide Dog and Assistance Dog work. Their financial generosity has allowed a wide range of skilled and enthusiastic dog trainers to access the best training in the world from as far a field as Great Britain and New Zealand. The programmes they have now established in Korea rank alongside the worlds best!"

Alan Brooks
New Initiatives Manager Guide Dogs (UK)
Chairman Assistance Dogs (UK)
Assessor International Guide Dog Federation

www.gdba.org.uk www.ifgdsb.org.uk

: Many comment on how they wish they had dogs when they were much younger. That they never realized how fulfilling and rewarding spiritually it was to spend time with dogs. The elderly residents really look forward to their allocated time with the dogs and often are much more lively and spirited during that time.” Mr. San Hoon LEE, 33, Therapy Coordinator at Noble County, an elderly hospice in the South of Seoul)

: “When I was with Sanee, I got so caught up playing with him, I forgot where I was, what was bothering me that day and why I felt unhappy at times. It was nice to forget about everything and just have fun playing with Sanee for a while. My dog really took my mind away from everyday stresses!” Hyo Jin LEE, 24, Student (first Samsung assistance dog recipient when he was 11 years old)

: It was a great experience to undergo a new type of therapy as it really helped to broaden our perspectives. My son’s bone rigidity tends to be quite severe, but watching him ride a horse and seeing his bones loosen up and gain strength was amazing. Other than the physical changes I noticed in my son, I must say it was heart-warming and gratifying to see so many volunteers offer so much time and effort to my son’s rehabilitation.” Mrs. Youn Ju CHO, 31, mother of Kun Hoon Paik. (Please note that mother’s surname is different from the child’s, as in Korea, the mother keeps her maiden surname.)

: During his usual therapy sessions, Se Chul would often be in tears because of the pain and severity of his rigidity. But with hippo therapy (**the official medical reference for the therapy offered by horse riding) not only did his muscles have a tendency to loosen up naturally and more easily, but he also looked forward to the therapy and viewed as something fun, which was a real plus. Ever since hippo therapy sessions, Se Chul’s gait has become much softer and his posture easier to correct. It’s too bad we can’t keep a horse at home! Even if cost is involved, I’d love to find a stable that offered hippo therapy as a more long term method of therapy. It can make a real, quantifiable medical and emotional difference? I should know, my son is benefiting enormously” Hae Jung SHIN, 40, mother of Se Chul Park.

: “My guide dog Daeyang is more than a guide dog that helps me get to where I want, whenever I want. He is a friend on whom I physically, emotionally and psychologically rely, and to whom I will be forever grateful. All those who work at the Samsung Guide Dog School have a single goal of working to help the visually impaired. For that single goal, I feel as though I will always have a strong support mechanism that will be there for me when I need it.” Ms. Sook Yun JEON (45, School for the blind teacher and chairwoman of the Korean Guide Dog Users Association, Samsung Guide dog user since 1997.)

: “My life has become so much healthier as a result of Aarum (guide dog). I was 13 when I lost my sight and since then, up until I met Aarum, because of my insecurity as a disabled person, I shied away from people and places. But as a result of Aarum, I have never felt more independent than as I do now. “I have a great deal to learn from the Samsung Guide Dog School. I always felt that other welfare organizations were not genuine in their care and concern for my wellbeing. Actually I always felt as though it was them giving, and us, the people with disability, taking. However at the guide dog school, during my in-school training to become a new guide dog user, the staff at Samsung treated me with respect and as a true partner, as we learnt how to overcome our disability with the help of a guide dog. Samsung’s service, as I put it, was one of dignified respect for us and for the dogs. And for that the school will always have a special place in my heart.” Mr. Young Kwan NOH (26, Health Insurance Financial Planner and Samsung Guide Dog user since 1999)

: “I feel as though my life has become a warmer place because of Aeng-doo. Walking with Aeng-doo beside me, I don’t feel as tense as I use to feel when I walked alone. And because of Aeng-doo, I’m more confident about meeting other people and am not afraid to go anywhere. I feel confident just by the fact that Aeng-doo is beside me. I’m so grateful to the Samsung Guide Dog school, who are like family to me. I feel as though they have a genuine interest in me, as a person. Even when asking about me, they think of me before Aeng-doo and to me, that just goes to show that they really are doing this because they care about us.” Mr. Sejin HYUNG (23, University Student and Samsung Guide Dog user since 2003)