Actor Billy Boyd has given his support to the fundraising campaign for the new Small Animal Hospital at Glasgow University's Veterinary Faculty.

The actor, who played Pippin in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has thrown his weight behind the £10million campaign to build a state of the art hospital after University vets treated his pet dog.

And he is urging dog walkers to take part in this Sunday's Doggy Dawdle sponsored dog walk to raise funds for the project.

Billy's dog, Griffin the springer spaniel, has been a regular patient at the current Small Animal Hospital.

He said said: "Coming back to the Small Animal Hospital has given the chance to say thanks to the staff for all they have done for Griffin.

"He has been up to the hospital a few times now and the treatment has always been excellent.

"His main condition was an eye problem that meant he would have gone blind, but the specialists at the hospital have managed to reverse that and things are under control now. It was brilliant when I got the news that things were improving for him.

"He then had back trouble that turned out to be a slipped disc, which I didn't even know dogs could get.

"Then he got a dislocated tail, which apparently comes from jumping in and out of water too much. My pals think I should rename him Lucky.

"But each time he has been at the Small Animal Hospital, the treatment has been fantastic.

"He has been in the best hands possible when he has been receiving treatment. And the attention and understanding they give to a pet's owners is very reassuring too.

"I would urge all animal lovers to support the campaign to raise funds for the new Small Animal Hospital and I encourage dog owners to take part in the Doggy Dawdle.

"This is a world class facility which we are very lucky to have on our doorstep."

The sponsored Doggy Dawdle takes place on Sunday 24th June 2007.

Participants can choose between a 5K or 10K walk within the grounds of the University of Glasgow's Garscube Estate, in the west end of Glasgow, off Bearsden Road.

The University of Glasgow's Veterinary School is raising funds to build a new Small Animal Hospital, to provide 21st century care to patients and the best possible teaching environment for students.

It will offer new services such as a Cancer Centre, to treat the growing number of animals suffering from this terrible disease. There will also be a Pain and Rehabilitation Centre to help animals recover from injury and improve the quality of life of those pets suffering from chronic pain.

The campaign continues to make progress and with the support of former students, clinicians, patients, families and friends, more than £6.1million has been pledged since the campaign began.

*If you require more information or an entry form contact Angela Hair on 0141 330 3593 or email a.hair@admin.gla.ac.uk

The Registration desk will accept on-the-day entries of £10 per individual and £15 per family (inc. 2 adults and 2 children) as long as the maximum number of entries has not been reached.

Rules of the day:

• Please pick up after your pet and dispose of waste in the bins provided.
• All dogs must be kept on short leashes and are the owners responsibility at all times.
• Current vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian are required.
• No female pets on heat.
• No dogs under 6 months old.
• Be sure your dog is in shape to complete the distance chosen.
• Participants under 16 years must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

Ray McHugh (r.mchugh@admin.gla.ac.uk)

---

First published: 20 June 2007