Our puppies have a great start in life with our volunteer Puppy Socialisers who give them plenty of TLC. They will be guided along during their first twelve months to bring out the special qualities necessary for them to become Dogs for the Disabled. Then the official training will begin which includes a lot of play activities e.g. retrieving, pushing, pulling, barking to raise alarms etc. Once the dogs are at the required standard, set by the International Association of Assistance Dogs they will be matched to a suitable applicant and advanced training will commence. Apart from the obvious benefits of the dog’s technical work, the greater gift is the companionship and unconditional love the dog will give.
As part of our community visitation and home companion programme our assistance puppies in training visit people in long term residential care, special needs facilities and hospitals. This programme lets people in difficult circumstances enjoy the healing presence of animals. The wonderful sight of a playful puppy, a lick on the hand that says, “I care about you,” can once again brighten their lives. This programme also encourages interaction and promotes communication. Dogs don’t care about colour, creed, gender, age, politics, nationality or social/economic status, and they respond to love and affection and communicate on a totally different level. Dogs have a boundless capacity for acceptance, adoration, attention, forgiveness and love.