Community Dog

Our community dogs and their professional handlers are making a positive contribution in health and social care, where we are working in partnership with a number of local authorities, health providers and specialist charities. Through structured interventions we help adults and children (both 1-2-1 and in groups) to improve their independence, wellbeing and skills.

Using the principles and techniques of Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI), our specially-trained dogs and handlers work in conjunction with a local human services professional, to promote improvements in the physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of a person. Dogs can be great motivators and role models, supporting people to learn and develop in so many ways. The applications are wide-ranging: from improving self-confidence and helping people to access the community independently, to improving road safety, changing patterns of behaviour and overcoming fear of medical procedures.