Many adults and children are unable to do some of the things that the rest of us take for granted. For instance, imagine dropping your house keys, but you can’t bend down to pick them up because of a health condition or physical disability. You either have to wait to ask someone passing by to help you, or call for help before you can open your front door. Or imagine being ten, and never being able to play a computer game or go out by yourself, because you always need someone there to help you. Dogs for the Disabled help people to be independent in many ways. Each dog is trained to undertake a range of practical tasks, including retrieving items that have been dropped or are out of reach, opening doors, or bark to raise the alarm if the person is in difficulty.

These dogs can also enable an autistic child to remain calm in places or situations they have previously found distressing.

This helps their family to lead a more normal life too.

“We also know that the help of an assistance dog goes far beyond practical support’ said Dogs for the Disabled’s chief executive, Peter Gorbing.

“For some, disability can lead to feelings of isolation and a loss of confidence. An assistance dog breaks down these barriers, giving a person the self-confidence to know they have help should they need it. The impact of having a dog can be huge, allowing a child or adult to meet new people and be an active member of their community. These dogs can quite literally change the lives of the people they support.”

Each dog starts their training at approximately 14 months old, after having been fostered by a volunteer puppy socialiser since it was seven weeks old.

Puppies with good temperaments are selected and socialised by the volunteer in a range of environments such as schools, town centres, shops, restaurants and public transport, and taught how to walk quietly on the lead. The volunteer has the full support of a co-ordinating team while teaching the puppy these basic skills. When the dog has been fully trained and accredited, the client learns how to care for their dog’s welfare, and how to continue training the dog and refine their own special partnership. They continue to receive aftercare visits, ensuring that the dog and the client are settled and working well together.

Dogs for the Disabled receives no Government funding, so relies on the support of the general public.

It is estimated that 70-80,000 people would benefit from the assistance of a trained dog.

Dogs for the Disabled is currently looking for more puppy socialisers. If you are interested in either being a volunteer or fundraising, contact 01295 252600, or email: info@dogsforthedisabled.org. Or visit their website at: www.dogsforthe disabled.org