Support our Funding the Future Appeal

This year, Canine Partners marked two incredible milestones – our 35th anniversary and the creation of our 1,000th partnership. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, but our focus remains firmly on the future. Demand for our life-changing assistance dogs is growing, and costs are rising, which is why we need your help more than ever before.

This year we’ve been developing new ways to grow and improve, so we can reach and support more people. While we will continue training our dogs at our National Training Centre, we’re also beginning to bring our work into local communities.

To create more partnerships, we’ll be training and matching some of our dogs with people right where they live. We’ve already launched our first community in Scotland, and in 2026, we’ll be setting up more across the country.

This Christmas, through our Funding the Future Appeal, we’re raising the vital funds needed to make these communities a reality. A gift of £35, or whatever you can give, could help our team train more puppies like Walshy to become assistance dogs, support more people like Jane to regain their independence, and provide lifelong care for amazing dogs like Damson.

Meet Jane and canine partner Walshy

My name is Jane, and I live in Edinburgh with my wonderful canine partner, Walshy. Sixteen years ago, my life changed forever when I suffered a spinal injury. Overnight I went from being an active teacher and tennis player to life in a wheelchair, unable to work and relying on carers for my every need.

Just when I thought I’d faced the worst, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

It was the darkest time of my life.

Thankfully that all changed in 2013 when I was partnered with beautiful Damson, my first canine partner. Damson gave me my life back. With her by my side I wasn’t trapped at home, reliant on family, friends and carers, afraid to face each day. I was free.

In 2024, after 13 wonderful years together, Damson passed away. But thanks to Canine Partners’ lifelong promise, I was partnered with my second dog – my cheeky and playful Walshy. Walshy has helped me heal from the heartbreak of losing Damson. I smile more, I laugh more, and I don’t focus so much on what I’ve lost and can’t do.

A message from Jane