SATURDAY was a huge day for a developing Cowdenbeath charity.

Oliver’s Army officially opened the doors of their new base on the ground floor of the town’s former Post Office, at 84 High Street.

This group has been training assistance dogs for around a couple of years but at their new base they will be doing even more.

However, the dog training is their key target and there are many people in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and beyond who are benefitting from the dog training which has given them animals who can greatly assist them with whatever challenge they face.

Behind Oliver’s Army is Jo Rankin, mum of six and gran to 12, who admits she has been a dog lover all her life.

Through that she got involved in training assistance dogs through her a connection with Christine Meaney, who lives outside Manchester.

Christine is a Kennel Club Assistance Dog examiner and taught Jo everything she knows about training a dog and David Campbell, who works with Christine, ensures that the English part of Oliver’s Army is as busy helping people as the Cowdenbeath section!

Said Jo: “Things have really taken off over the past few months.

“Just a short time ago we were carrying out our dog training at Beath High playing fields and now we have our own hall where we can train dogs and ensure people who can benefit from an assistance dog, has the chance of having one.

“The assistance dogs can be trained to provide incredible support for people of all ages who need it.”

And where did the name Oliver’s Army come from?

Added Jo: “Our name is a very special one. Christine’s Lab Oliver was a lovely dog who she rescued as a puppy through Merseyside Dogs Home and he became such a really helpful creature.

“However, aged just 14 months he developed a brain tumour and died.

“My son Ollie also loves dogs and when Oliver died Christine’s grand-daughter came up with the name Oliver’s Army, linking both Oliver and Ollie and here we are with our new base.”

Jo’s family are closely involved with Oliver’s Army, but two of her friends have become trusted lieutenants in the shape of Heather Garry and Margaret Davidson.

Said Heather: “We all love mucking in and help ensure that everything goes as close to plan as possible.

“There is a tremendous team working on behalf of Oliver’s Army ensuring that our new home would be ready for the official opening and it provides just what we need for our dog training classes and also for our mental health drop-in facility.

“We see that as a very important part of the charity’s work too and we aim to encourage people who may need someone to talk to just to drop by and we will aim to provide the sort of support which could help them.”

Margaret, who is also part of the Cowdenbeath Cemetery Action Team set up by local councillor, Darren Watt, added: “The team which has come together under the name of Oliver’s Army is one which has some amazing talents and of different age ranges.

“Saturday has been a huge day for everyone and we want to use it as a launchpad to provide help to as many people as possible in as many ways as possible.”

While Christine (Tina) Meaney and David Campbell are the Down South arms of Oliver’s Army, there are also activists in Aberdeen and Stirkling as Jo looks to get the assistance dogs message as far wide as possible.

“We are also hoping to have people in Edinburgh soon helping spread the word but it is just so brilliant to have our Cowdenbeath base open,” added Jo.

To make everything run smoothly the OA team are always busy fundraising and have been overwhelmed with the way the public has backed them.

Said Jo: “People have been coming in off the street asking us if there is anything we need and ensuring we will get it.

“It really is amazing how supportive people are and we cannot thank them enough.”

Oliver’s Army has a board of Trustees which is made up of Jo, Heather, Margaret, Amy Anderson, Steven RitchieCharlene Traynor