Many of you will already know Tracey Baker, who is one of our AMAZING trustees. She runs the REHOMING TEAM for Amicii and over the years has successfully placed hundreds of dogs in new families. She’s also actively involved in fundraising and runs our high successful annual dog show in Worcestershire. Tracey is one of our most committed volunteers, dedicating hours of her time every week to ensuring the ongoing welfare of homeless dogs from the UK, Spain and Romania.

Tracey is one of our most valued, trusted and respected team members.

What you might not know about Tracey is that she suffers from anxiety and depression. Until a few years ago, it was unthinkable for Tracey to agree to do a trek like this. Heading out on her own, to meet a group of women she’s never met before, to do a trek in a country and culture she’s never experienced before, these things were just not on Tracey’s play-list!

But working with Amicii dog rescue has brought out a new side to Tracey. It’s given her a new confidence and determination to succeed. She is now a person that will tackle fears and anxiety, a person that will set off on an amazing personal and spiritual adventure to raise money for dogs!

Last year, Tracey told us she wanted to do a BIG CHALLENGE. Something that would test her, that would involve committing a long time (11 days) away from home and her family. Somewhere she’d never been before. Something she’d never done before.

The trustees of Amicii decided to SEND HER TO INDIA she chose a very special challenge. Here is a link to the detail

https://www.charitychallenge.com/challenge/13/Dalai-Lama-Himalayan-Trek-

THE TREK

On 9th May 2025, Tracey will be setting off from Heathrow airport. Once in Delhi, she will meet with the challenge organisers and get ready to set off on by train to Dharamshala to the start a 5 day trek following the Uhl river, up into the Himalayas. This rarely trodden trek is hard and arduous and involves staying in very small, remote Himalayan villages along the way. Starting and ending in the heart of the world’s highest mountain range, Tracey will meet people from India’s exiled Tibetan community, experience Buddhist life and Hindi temples and learn about the culture and rich history of this fascinating and remote part of the world. Tracey will be updating us on her trek as often as she can, and we are looking forward to hearing about her adventures and challenges on this fascinating and incredible journey.

WHO ARE THE LUCKY 7?

When we started to discuss the challenge with Tracey, we wanted to know the purpose of raising the money? “To bring some dogs that haven’t had a chance to the UK”, she said.

We decided to select 7 dogs, because that is an important number in Indian culture and within the Hindu religion.

According to the Hindu tradition, there are 7 energy centres in the human body, known as the Chakras. These energy centres are the essence of being human and define who we are.

In the Buddhist tradition, the number 7 symbolises ascension and enlightment.

HOW MUCH MONEY IS TRACEY HOPING TO RAISE?

Tracey is hoping to raise £7000 through her trek in India. Half of this money will be used to bring 7 lucky dogs from Romania to the UK for rehoming, who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance. The money will pay for their preparation costs, transport and kennel fees when they arrive in the UK plus any additional vet care or support that they need when they arrive. The other half of the money will be used to support dogs that have been returned to the rescue during 2025 and need safe, often urgent, kennel spaces. On average we have 12 dogs returned to our care every year (about 1 a month) which represents around 4% of the dogs we rehome. Dogs are returned for many reasons, but whatever the reason they need our help and support while we search for a new home.

We will post information about each of the dogs that Tracey wants to support over the next few weeks as Tracey starts to prepare for her adventure of a lifetime!