Categories: Volunteers and fundraisers

Volunteers and fundraisers

Volunteer of the Month – Meet Weekend Fosterer Martina, from Leicestershire

Martina has been volunteering for Canine Partners for five years, and has fostered 15 dogs in that time. When our assistance dogs in training are approximately 14 months old, they start our specialist Advanced Training programme based in one of our Training Centres. They live on site during the working week and they need to rest at the weekend, so they go to a volunteer Fosterer.

Martina describes why she became involved with Canine Partners:

“I love dogs and walking, and feel that this volunteer role allows me to do what I love at the same time as playing some part in helping to change a person’s life, which is totally humbling and rewarding. I have grown up with dogs and looked after family and friends’ dogs too, although I have actually learnt more from the Advanced Trainers than I could have imagined.”

Martina describes what her role as a Weekend Fosterer involves:

“We collect a dog on a Friday late afternoon, after the dog has training for the week on site. We care for the dog at home in a family-friendly environment, allowing the dog to ‘chill out’ and be in good shape for the following week’s training. It is important for the dog to feel settled with us as quickly as possible, as it will have been quite a transition for them after leaving their Puppy Parents.

We take the dog on walks over the weekend, which we thoroughly enjoy. It’s important that the dog is able to switch off at the weekend, so it’s getting a balance of play, fun and rest with them. We also complete a questionnaire of specific questions, which tells the Advanced Trainer how the dog has got on over the weekend.

We then return the dog to the Training Centre on a Monday morning. We attend two Fosterer training sessions per year at the Midlands Training Centre, which helps us understand and assist the Advanced Trainer with any specific tasks that may be required of us.”

Martina describes her experience of being a Canine Partners volunteer:

“It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who love dogs. It is very rewarding seeing how the dog develops along the weeks, to the ultimate goal of them being matched with a person living with physical disabilities. You work with exceptional people at the Training Centre who are all enthusiastic and grateful for your contribution. There are fundraising events throughout the year, where you get to meet up with other volunteers and it’s always nice to socialise.

You do get attached to the dogs, and sometimes (or always!) shed a tear when they come to the end of their training, BUT you know that they are going to assist and live with somebody who needs them far more than you do. It is very rewarding to attend the Partnership Ceremony where you hear from the partner how their dog has transformed their life, and the feeling that you have played a small but important part in the dogs journey to assisting truly inspirational people.”

Become a volunteer for Canine Partners during our 30th anniversary year:

There are lots of ways you can volunteer for Canine Partners during our 30th year. To find out more, please visit caninepartners.org.uk/volunteering

#FitFor30Challenge – Melanie’s fundraising story

At the end of September I completed my Fit for 30 Challenge to raise awareness and money for the brilliant Canine Partners. I have loved it! I first heard about Canine Partners via social media and couldn’t wait to get involved with such a worthwhile cause. Canine Partners are an amazing charity. They match people with physical disabilities with amazingly talented assistance dogs.

What is the Fit for 30 Challenge?

The Fit for 30 Challenge ran throughout September and is designed to increase physical activity and fitness, as well as to encourage mental wellbeing. To take part, you simply choose an activity based around the numbers 30, for example 30 minutes of something, 30 repetitions of something and so forth. You then complete your challenge for the 30 days of September (or at any time of the year!) and ask people to support you by donating to the charity. I chose to complete 30 minutes of yoga for 30 days, as I often overlook prioritising it but feel such huge benefits. It was really easy to join and the staff at Canine Partners couldn’t have been more helpful.

My month of yoga

The event really encouraged me to make the time to do yoga each day and I am so glad that I did. My mind, which can be quite busy at times, feels so much clearer and more focused – I feel generally calmer. Having suffered with a back injury a couple of years ago, it now feels stronger and I wake up without stiffness. My knotty shoulders are much more mobile and I have looked forward to the overall feeling of wellness that my daily class has given me. At times it was tricky to fit in, but I even got up early to get my 30 minutes in on the hectic days.

Starting the day this way was so positive. I used the Peleton Fitness app to complete my yoga and loved the variety and quality of classes they offer. Some of my favourites included 90’s yoga, Whitney Houston yoga, evening slow flow, and power yoga. I also topped up the physical activity with some meditation using the same app. I am happy that I have raised awareness for the charity and also managed to raise some money from kind family and friends.

I would strongly encourage anybody to get involved with and support Canine Partners. It is such a worthwhile charity. You can also enjoy some personal gain from being fitter and stronger, physically and mentally, from your chosen activity. I am determined to take at least five classes of yoga each week moving forwards and will be keeping an eye on Canine Partners to see how I can continue to support them.

Could you take on the Fit for 30 Challenge like Melanie from Two Plus Dogs and raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Find out more here.

Face coverings made by the Canine Partners community during Covid-19 raises over £10,000 for the charity

Bev’s fundraising story

Bev, who is a Volunteer Speaker and Fundraiser in Hampshire, became involved with the charity after a Demonstration Dog visited the school she worked in. She has made over 250 masks in total, with around 30 orders coming in each day.

Bev said: “At the start of lockdown I was concerned for the charity and, with all my talks cancelled, I decided to raise funds by making face coverings. Initially, I wanted to raise enough to cover the possible donations that might have come from my cancelled talks, however in total I have raised over £1,850 through my JustGiving page. I made them for family and friends to begin with but people kindly spread the word. I even had special orders for particular groups, such as bee keepers and yoga classes.”

Vicky’s fundraising story

Vicky decided to make masks and raise funds for Canine Partners, as the charity provided her with her canine partner Mclaren, affectionately known as Mac.

Vicky said: “During the Covid-19 lockdown, it became apparent that Canine Partners were missing out on a lot of donations due to cancelled events. I wanted to help as Mac has changed my life for the better and he has provided me with not only physical but emotional support throughout the last six years since we were partnered. I started to sew homemade face masks for myself and immediate family, but once my friends heard what I was doing they asked if they could buy one from me, so I decided to take donations for Canine Partners. I’ve enjoyed buying new materials, have set up a small Facebook page, and people in the group can pick out the material they want. I have made over 50 masks and have raised over £600 via my JustGiving page so far, with others donating directly through the Canine Partners website.”

Hazel’s fundraising story

Hazel, who is partnered with canine partner Questa, decided to  make masks as Questa is her ‘beautiful canine partner and such a help with everyday tasks’.

Hazel said: “I have made over 1,600 masks and have raised over £4,000 so far through my JustGiving page and over £5,000 in total including fundraising through Facebook. I have made three different types of masks, including some with a breathable waterproof outer layer and some as ‘back to school’ lightweight masks. All the masks I have made have an aluminium nose strip, soft elastic ear loops and are washable. The village I live in has been very supportive, which is great!”

Gwyneira’s fundraising story

Gwyneira was matched with canine partner Nicki 10 years ago. She decided to fundraise for Canine Partners as canine partner Nicki has enabled her to live a ‘more independent and fulfilling life’.

Gwyneira said: “Over the past few years, I’ve been using my sewing and crafting skills to raise money for the charity to say thank you for partnering me with such a special dog. Usually I would have sold my handmade items at various summer and Christmas fetes with donations being made to my JustGiving page. When it was apparent that the pandemic would mean that these types of events wouldn’t happen this year, I started using my fabric stash to make washable face coverings. I initially thought that 50 would be quite an achievement, but over the past five months I have actually made and dispatched over 800!  This has raised over £3000 and my JustGiving page continues to receive donations, taking its total to nearly £10,000. I am continuing to sell face coverings on my Etsy shop with the proceeds continuing to support Canine Partners, training and placing these amazing dogs and transforming even more lives.”

Would you like to raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Click here for inspiration and to find out more.

#FitFor30Challenge – Gemma’s fundraising story

September is coming to an end and with that I am reflecting on the Fit for 30 Challenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part. It has been an honour to help raise awareness of the wonderful charity Canine Partners.

This challenge has encouraged me to push myself. During lockdown earlier in the year, I found it hard to keep motivated in terms of exercising. The gym was an important part of my routine; it allowed me some ‘me’ time away from my busy life with a toddler. It also helped me manage my mental health.

When the gyms reopened, I couldn’t wait to get back. But, my fitness was nowhere as good as it was. This was frustrating as I felt like I was having to build my fitness levels up. I kept turning up to Les Mills BodyCombat classes (a group exercise class based on a variety of martial arts and boxing) and I felt like I was improving; being able to do higher impact moves and not tiring as quickly.

As my confidence in BodyCombat grew, I decided to reintroduce a weights class. This was more of a challenge for me. I have always enjoyed BodyCombat more than weights. The first weights class I completed was incredibly challenging. I felt like I was struggling so much and had to really will myself to keep going. I remember being so sore for days after too! But I kept pushing myself. I am able to lift heavier weights, lift for longer and my form has improved dramatically.

As a dog lover, I truly appreciate the benefits a dog can bring. From my own experience, having our Dachshund Walter has helped me immensely with my own mental health. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for years. Walter came into my life at a time when I was struggling a great deal. He gave me a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed.

I would encourage anyone to take part, to raise much needed funds for Canine Partners. Dogs can do so much to help so many members of our society, including those with physical disabilities. I think a lot of us, myself included, take for granted the things we do in any given day.

Canine Partners are doing amazing work training dogs to do everyday tasks and match them to the right person. These dogs are having a positive impact on people’s lives.

Could you take on the Fit for 30 Challenge  like Gemma from Daisy and her Dachshund and raise vital funds for Canine Partners? Find out more here.

Volunteer of the Month – Meet Puppy Parent Jenny, from Leicestershire

Jenny has been a Puppy Parent since 2019, playing a vital role in the early socialisation and training of a canine partner. At eight weeks old, we place each puppy with a volunteer puppy parent to live with them for around 14 months, until they are ready to move to one of our dedicated Training Centres to start Advanced Training.

Jenny describes how she became involved with Canine Partners:

“I have recently retired from work and have always wanted a dog and thought it would be very rewarding to join an assistance dog charity, such as Canine Partners. To know that I have helped to raise a puppy which will eventually be placed with a person in need is an amazing feeling.

I have looked after friends dogs when they have needed it, such as holidays and dog walking, and I also had a few dogs as a child. I have also experienced how an assistance dog could have helped and made a huge impact on a severely disabled youngster that I know of. The person concerned, has various challenges both mentally and physically, but the comfort and delight in his  face when a relative, with a dog visited, was immense and heart warming. The dog seemed to instinctively know this and stayed by his side.”

Jenny describes what her role as a Puppy Parent involves:

“My role is to rear a puppy from about eight weeks of age to around 14 months old. With guidance and basic training from my Puppy Trainer, and regular attendance to the Training Centre for more specific lessons, I will rear a happy well adjusted puppy, ready for Advanced Training and eventually to be placed with a specific partner in need.

Seeing for myself the skills taught to canine partner puppies is amazing. The realisation of how dedicated the staff and the whole team are in achieving this and all of their hard work, (and the dogs of course),  only fuelled my desire to make an impact to someone’s life by becoming a Puppy Parent.”

Jenny describes her experience of being a Canine Partners volunteer:

“My part is only the start of an amazing journey, and every day I feel proud of this, even though I know the puppy will have to leave me, she will, I know make such a difference to someone’s life.

The wonderful thing is, when my puppy has successfully been placed with their partner, I can do it all over again with another amazing dog. Canine Partners are doing absolutely amazing work, and more volunteers should come forward and change someone’s life too, the rewards are outstanding.”

Become a volunteer for Canine Partners during our 30th anniversary year:

There are lots of ways you can volunteer for Canine Partners during our 30th year. To find out more, please visit caninepartners.org.uk/volunteering

#FitFor30Challenge – Lauren’s fundraising story

We are now over halfway through September, which means there is still plenty of time to complete the Canine Partners Fit For 30 Challenge! An event aimed at raising vital funds that will allow the charity to continue providing people like myself with life-changing assistance dogs.

Following the sudden decline in my physical health at the age of 19, I was not prepared for my mental health to also suffer as a result of my new “disabled” lifestyle. I felt as if I no longer had any dignity or privacy, due to the fact I had to have a carer with me at all times. But was during those darker days that I decided to apply for a canine partner, in the hope of regaining some independence. Little did I know just how much my life was about to change!

Fast forward to September 2020 and I will soon be celebrating my 3 year anniversary of being paired with canine partner Fliss. Not only has my quality of life drastically transformed during this time, due to the fact Fliss can help me get undressed, retrieve my medications, and press my emergency alarm amongst other things, but she has also given me the confidence and motivation to leave the house on my good days, whilst having someone to help me through the bad days by continually boosting my mental health.

Fliss has positively improved life for my family – something I naively didn’t expect. But thanks to her never-ending support, my mum and my partner, Felix, have also experienced a new lease of life. Providing them with the time to focus on their own passions, such as writing a book and creating a small business!

For regular updates from Felix, who is running 30 miles, along with an insight into my 30 minute roll along the beach with Fliss next week – you can follow our progress on social media or by visiting our website. Don’t forget – you can also share your own photos throughout the challenge using the hashtag #fitfor30challenge!

If you would like to take part in the Fit For 30 Challenge and help Canine Partners continue their amazing work, simply think of an activity based around the number 30 that allows you to get fit. Whether it’s mentally or physically, you will be sure to find an activity that suits you! Find out more here.

Take part in a fitness class | Fit for 30 Challenge

The Fit for 30 Challenge is taking place over the 30 days of September to help raise the vital funds we need to continue our life-transforming work.

The Fit for 30 Challenge can be any activity as long as you are getting fit – mentally or physically! From running 30 miles or walking for 30 minutes, to doing 30 minutes of meditation or completing 30 crossword puzzles. Whatever your age or ability, you can take part!

Help to inspire others by sharing photos or videos of your challenge on social media using the official hashtag #fitfor30challenge to be part of the campaign.

Every extra step you take, whether it’s running, wheeling or learning, will inspire your friends and family to support you in your Fit for 30 Challenge.

Sign up for the Fit for 30 Challenge today here.

Lace up your running shoes! | Fit for 30 Challenge

The Fit for 30 Challenge is taking place over the 30 days of September to help raise the vital funds we need to continue our life-transforming work.

The Fit for 30 Challenge can be any activity as long as you are getting fit – mentally or physically! From running 30 miles or walking for 30 minutes, to doing 30 minutes of meditation or completing 30 crossword puzzles. Whatever your age or ability, you can take part!

Help to inspire others by sharing photos or videos of your challenge on social media using the official hashtag #fitfor30challenge to be part of the campaign.

Every extra step you take, whether it’s running, wheeling or learning, will inspire your friends and family to support you in your Fit for 30 Challenge.

There is still time! Join the fun by signing up for the Fit for 30 Challenge here.

30 benefits to volunteering for Canine Partners – Autumn Edition

As it’s our 30th anniversary this year, here are 30 benefits of volunteering from our Canine Partners Community:

  • A feeling of pride
  • A sense of achievement
  • Practical volunteering experience
  • All training is given, with no experience necessary
  • A sense of satisfaction
  • Sociable atmosphere
  • Being a part of something special
  • An amazing experience
  • Constant and amazing support from the Canine Partners
  • Volunteers given support in all areas
  • Working with dogs that transform lives
  • Being part of a team
  • A great project in my retirement
  • Being part of a brilliant future and helping others
  • Learning
  • Excellent training skills
  • A magical experience
  • Having a puppy living with us is such a joy
  • A rewarding experience
  • The dogs are great healers
  • A fulfilling hobby
  • Brings joy
  • Helping to transform lives
  • Absolutely great
  • Contributing to ongoing development
  • Enormously rewarding
  • Having a dog around has really assisted with the loss of a family member
  • Enhanced my life immeasurably
  • Helping a charity we believe in
  • Exciting and rewarding

Find out more about volunteering for Canine Partners and the roles we have available, by visiting the volunteering page of our website here.