Assistance dog charity gains support from Veterans’ Foundation

ARMED FORCES charity, the Veterans’ Foundation, has given vital funds to help train more assistance dogs to support former members of the British armed forces.

The Edinburgh based national charity has awarded the Veterans’ Lottery grant to Canine Partners, a charity which helps to transform the lives of people living with disabilities in the UK, boosting their confidence and independence by providing amazing assistance dogs.

The dogs are taught a range of everyday tasks including picking up and fetching items, opening doors and dressing a person. They can even help to load and unload a washing machine and they can fetch help in an emergency.

“We are delighted to have received a generous grant from the Veterans’ Foundation to help us train more assistance dogs for former service personnel,” says Dale Gormley, Canine Partners’ Scotland Community Manager.

“Grants are vital to us as a charity as they allow us to train more amazing dogs, which in this case will transform the lives of former members of the armed services across the UK.”

Each partnership created by Canine Partners costs £20,000 from selection as a puppy to the dog’s retirement at approximately 12 years old.

“We are delighted to support the excellent work of Canine Partners by awarding the Veterans’ Lottery grant,” says Major General David Shaw CBE, Veterans’ Foundation CEO.

“Highly trained assistance dogs can be life-changing for veterans with physical disabilities in that they provide independence and confidence to make the successful transition to civilian life.”

Canine Partners receives no government funding and solely relies on donations and legacies to keep creating life-transforming partnerships.

For more information about Canine Partners, please visit caninepartners.org.uk