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Together this Christmas and beyond

For the physically disabled people we support, a Canine Partner is not a luxury. Their assistance dog provides practical support, confidence and companionship; helping them live happier, more independent lives.

 

Your donation could help keep life-changing partnerships together this Christmas and beyond.

Kate and Canine Partner Juniper with roundel that says 'Together through Christmas and beyond'

The harsh financial reality

For many disabled people, financial hardship is part of everyday life. More than half say they can no longer afford everything they need for their condition because of the rising cost of living.*

Medical equipment, higher energy bills, and specialist support all add up, leaving disabled households needing an average of £1,095 more every month to achieve the same standard of living as non-disabled households.**

On top of this are the costs of keeping a life-changing assistance dog happy and healthy, including good quality food, pet insurance and veterinary care.

For someone already struggling to make ends meet, an unexpected bill or sudden change in circumstances can mean choosing between covering everyday costs and keeping their Canine Partner. The thought of losing the dog that gives them independence, love and companionship can be devastating.

Hayley Telling, Veterinary and Wellbeing Lead
Canine Partner Juniper lying on a sofa

Our Financial Assistance Fund

We support our partners for life, including helping them access reduced-cost food and insurance. But for some, thatʼs simply not enough.

Thatʼs where our Financial Assistance Fund comes in. The fund helps partners experiencing financial hardship or unexpected costs that could put their partnership at risk. It pays for essentials such as veterinary treatment, medication, specialist care, food and insurance, helping partners keep their dogs healthy and their partnerships together.

But the need for this support is growing.

 

Help keep partnerships together this Christmas and beyond

Last year, Canine Partners spent £48,582 through our Financial Assistance Fund helping partnerships like Kate and Juniper, 50% more than the year before.

If this continues to rise, we’ll need an additional £60,727 to support the number of partners we expect to be facing financial hardship in 2027.

 

Illustration of dog food bowl
£10
will help feed an assistance dog for a week if their partner is struggling financially.
Illustration of vet items
£35
will pay for a monthʼs pet insurance, helping keep partnerships like Kate and Juniper together if they become ill or are injured.
Illustration of vitamin bottles
£80
will fund six-monthsʼ worth of specialist supplements for a dog with arthritis like Juniper, so we can keep their joints healthy, and they can continue supporting their partners.

Your support will keep life-changing partnerships together this Christmas and beyond

Make a donation

Kate's story

Kate lives with a painful neurological condition and relies on a wheelchair. She was living in temporary accommodation after a relationship breakdown and struggling to make ends meet when Juniper became unwell with polyarthritis.

Veterinary bills quickly ran into thousands of pounds and desperate to keep Juniper safe and their partnership together, Kate turned to us for help.

The Financial Assistance Fund provided three months of emergency cover, taking care of all dog-related costs including food, insurance, specialist supplements and preventive care, as well as her veterinary costs.

The support gave Kate one less thing to worry about during an incredibly uncertain time. It meant she could focus on rebuilding her life, knowing Juniper was getting the care she needed.

Without Canine Partners support I’d have had to give up Juniper, and I couldn’t have faced that on top of everything else I was going through. They kept her healthy and safe when I couldn’t and I will never be able to repay them for that.

Kate
Canine Partner Juniper looking at Kate

Support our Financial Assistance Fund

Help us raise £60,727 this winter to help more partners like Kate and Juniper in 2027.

£
*The impact of the rising cost of living on disabled people in the UK: www.gov.uk
** Disability Price Tag 2025: www.scope.org.uk