Canine Partners, a national charity dedicated to training assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, is proudly celebrating 35 years of changing lives across the UK.
Since 1990, Canine Partners has created over 1,000 life-changing partnerships, carefully matching each dog to an individual’s unique needs and lifestyle. These remarkable dogs are trained to assist with a wide range of everyday tasks – from opening doors and picking up dropped items to loading washing machines and raising the alarm in emergencies.
Alongside this practical help, they offer invaluable companionship and emotional support. The impact of these partnerships extends far beyond the individual, improving the lives of their families and local communities too.
Charity Co-founder Dr Elizabeth Ormerod said: “What started as a small, passionate endeavour has grown into something amazing. These dogs change lives in the most incredible ways.”
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Canine Partners has launched a Summer Appeal with the goal of raising £35,000. This funding will enable the charity to train and place more assistance dogs, supporting people like Sue, whose recent partnership with canine partner, James, marked the charity’s 1,000th partnership.
Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a condition that causes her joints to dislocate, Sue eventually lost the ability to walk and had to give up her career as a nurse. “I went from caring for others to relying entirely on family and carers,” she explains.
Everything changed in 2012 when she was partnered with her first canine partner. These dogs assist with essential daily tasks such as bringing laundry from the machine, fetching drinks from the fridge, and even helping Sue get undressed – but their impact reaches far deeper.
“They have given me purpose, companionship and a way to reconnect with my community again,” Sue says. “Knowing they are there if I fall is a huge comfort, not only to me but to my husband as well. I will always be grateful to Canine Partners.”
The charity urges the public to help create more life-changing partnerships by donating to their Summer Appeal. Every pound raised helps train and support the next generation of canine partners, offering independence and hope to more people like Sue. To donate or learn more, visit: www.caninepartners.org.uk
About Canine Partners
Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with specially trained assistance dogs.
These remarkable dogs help with a range of everyday tasks – from opening doors and picking up dropped items to loading washing machines and raising the alarm in emergencies – enabling greater independence, confidence and quality of life. Each dog is carefully matched to the individual’s needs and lifestyle, providing not just practical support but also emotional benefits such as companionship, motivation and increased self-esteem.
There are over 16 million disabled people in the UK, and many could benefit from a canine partner. Since 1990, we’ve created over 1,000 partnerships and currently have more than 297 working across the UK. It costs £50,000 to train a dog from puppy to retirement and we receive no government funding – our work is entirely reliant on public donations and legacies. With 94 applicants currently on our waiting list, the need is greater than ever.
Around 60% of the dogs we train go on to become fully qualified assistance dogs, while others take on equally vital roles such as canine home assistants, canine companions, dog ambassadors or working in breeding and training programmes.