Remembering Jamie and celebrating his life

At BRAVEHOUND we will be forever grateful to Jamie McKernan, who looked after a BRAVEHOUND assistance dog during her final period of training, before being partnered with a veteran.
Thanks to Jamie a veteran’s life has been transformed.

Last year Jamie left us all by suicide. He will be forever loved and never forgotten.
At BRAVEHOUND we wanted to celebrate Jamie’s life and his gentle, caring spirit.
We’re grateful too to Jamie’s parents Jamie and Monica, who so kindly agreed for a BRAVEHOUND to be named after their beautiful son, who we were so privileged to know. They have written this tribute to Jamie:

Jamie brought energy, curiosity and joy to the lives of everyone who knew him. He was a unique human being, who could hold a room with his intelligent, quick-witted humour. A gentle soul, caring and non-judgemental who always saw the best in people. His outgoing nature gave him an inquisitive and creative view on life with a wanderlust for travel taking him to New Zealand, cycling around mainland Europe and studying in Scandinavia. His great passion was film making, with an uncanny ability to capture key moments throughout his life, like his adventures on the West Highland Way, thoughtful, atmospheric but also intimate and often hilarious. Family get togethers at Christmas were recorded with laughter, wonder and warmth.

Throughout his life, he loved to volunteer his time and energy to good causes even from an early age, raising money or charity. Abseiling the Titan Crane on the Clyde, completing the West Highland Way long distance walk for McMillan Cancer Support. His other volunteer roles included conservation and supporting Clyde Cycles, a charity supporting adaptive cycling for all abilities. His love of animals led him to work with the Dogs Trust in their rehoming centre in Glasgow. Without a doubt, his favourite and most pivotal role came when he discovered Bravehound, a wonderful charity providing assistance dogs for veterans, and became a Bravehound Buddy. He was so excited about having the opportunity and responsibility to care and support a BRAVEHOUND dog and his beloved black Labrador. She immediately became a part of the family and brought so much joy and love. It meant the world to him that his important contribution would be vital for the positive impact a BRAVEHOUND dog would make to another person’s future.

His legacy isn’t in big accomplishments, but in the small lasting impressions he left in our hearts. A cheerleader for everyone, Jamie never failed to make us laugh, to support us and most of all to encourage us to “always stay curious” He will be forever loved and never forgotten.