“Where compassion and education meet”

Dogs for Development CIC (a non-profit organisation) was set up to enhance the educational engagement and social motivation of autistic children in schools.

Our dogs help children and adults, who might display complex and challenging behaviours, to self-regulate their emotions. By teaching calming techniques with our dogs, our clients, in turn, help to calm themselves.

'Nothing is more precious than being in the moment. Fully alive, fully aware.'

Thus, our dogs help us to sit still, breathe, observe and notice detail. An incredibly empowering process for individuals who might struggle to calm their own internal anxieties.

We also use agility/obstacle courses, which helps strengthen the bond between the client and dog. The dog must rely on the verbal and hand instructions from the client in order to navigate the course, increasing the trust between individual and dog.

When working this way therapeutically with vulnerable adults and/or children, the client begins to learn how to communicate effectively in order to ensure the dog completes the course successfully. It is also especially empowering for older adults with learning disabilities who may have been institutionalised in their early life, they begin to make independent choices and decisions about how best to lead the dog through the course and experience a feeling of control within that process - where the dogs look only to them for guidance. A beautifully empowering process for all our clients, who often find themselves pushed to the margins of our society

Thus we are crowdfunding in order to raise money to purchase professional agility equipment and an indoor facility, so we no longer have to cancel our more vulnerable clients sessions due to heavy rain. This would enable us to continue the positive and powerful work... no matter what the weather dictates! We thank you SO much for all your support - it is hugely, hugely appreciated.... thank you x