Meghan Markle Honors Dog Trainer in Donation to Mayhew

Meghan Markle has long been an advocate for rescue dogs, and shortly after she joined the royal family, she was made patron of Mayhew, an animal welfare charity.

This week, Mayhew opened the brand-new Oli Juste Wing, in memory of the late dog behaviorist and trainer, Oli Juste. The wing was made possible following a donation from the Duchess of Sussex. Per Mayhew and Sussex.com, "Oli first introduced The Duchess to Mayhew in 2019. They shared many things throughout their friendship, among which was a deep commitment to animal welfare and a love of rescue dogs. When he tragically passed in January 2022, The Duchess, through The Archewell Foundation, made a contribution to Mayhew in Oli’s honour to continue his legacy. The donation has also enabled the charity to make significant improvements to their dog run and garden which provide an enriching experience for rescued dogs while they are waiting to be rehomed."

For the event opening the wing, Meghan also recorded a personal message. "A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team at Mayhew who have worked tirelessly to bring this dream to life," Meghan said in a statement. "It was so important to find a way to celebrate Oli’s memory in a manner that he would have loved. Mayhew is a beacon of hope for those in need and a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together."

Meghan's official role as patron of Mayhew ended when she and Prince Harry stepped back from their senior positions as working royals, but she has continued to have a relationship with the organization. "Though my time as patron of Mayhew has come to a close, my unwavering support has not," Meghan wrote in 2022. "I encourage each of you to support in whatever way you are able. The emotional support of a rescue animal is unparalleled—as you’ll soon realize: it is not you who saves them, it is they who save you. To the Mayhew community, thank you for entrusting me as your patron. It has been an honor."

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game