The Petplan Charitable Trust, which is funded by annual donations given by customers of Petplan Insurance, has given a life-transforming grant of £17,000 towards the Kennel and Dog Welfare Centre being built this year at the Midlands Training Centre in Leicestershire.

This generous donation will help the charity to build a welfare centre in the Midlands that will house up to 40 dogs at one time while they undertake their advanced training to become a qualified Canine Partners assistance dog.

The centre will also include a veterinary room, a laundry room, food store, kitchen area, canine shower and outdoor runs.  The building has been designed so that an isolation area can be created and a regular deep clean can be carried out to minimise the risk of infection.

Chief executive, Nicola Martin, said: “Being one of the leading assistance dog charities in the UK, our dogs’ welfare is of paramount importance and the support of the Petplan Charitable Trust means that many more dogs will go through training, in a more efficient, fit-for-purpose centre which will be a flagship for assistance dog training across the UK.”

“We are immensely grateful for this exceptional support from the Petplan Charitable Trust, which will ultimately enable the charity to help many more people who will benefit from having one of our specially trained dogs. This donation will serve the charity, its dogs, and the people it helps, for many years to come.”