Three playful puppies mark a new chapter for the Dorset charity Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs as it successfully relaunches its Charity-Trained Assistance Dog Programme under the leadership of new Puppy Coordinator Izi Loe.
Helpful Hounds has supported many successful owner-trained partnerships over the years, with families raising their own puppies under the charity’s guidance before they qualify as assistance dogs. The revived Charity-Trained Programme will complement this work by enabling Helpful Hounds to support disabled children and adults who are unable to raise and train a puppy themselves, instead providing a fully trained assistance dog ready to begin its life-changing partnership.
Izi, who has been with the charity for the past couple of years, recently took on the challenge of rebuilding the Charity-Trained Programme from the ground up. She has recruited a team of dedicated volunteer Puppy Parents and laid the foundations for a new generation of assistance dogs that will one day support disabled people across Dorset.
Now, the first three recruits, Eevee, Strider and Onyx, have begun their two-year journey towards becoming fully qualified assistance dogs. Each puppy will spend time living with dedicated volunteer Puppy Parents while receiving specialist training from the Helpful Hounds team, learning the skills that will eventually help transform someone’s independence, confidence and everyday life.
Izi Loe, Puppy Coordinator at Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs, said:
“When I joined Helpful Hounds, one of my biggest ambitions was to bring our Charity-Trained Programme back. Seeing Eevee, Strider and Onyx begin that journey is incredibly rewarding. Every assistance dog starts life as a playful puppy, but with the right training, support and plenty of love, they can go on to make a life-changing difference for someone living with a disability. I can’t wait to watch these three grow.”
One of the charity’s Puppy Parents added:
“Being a Puppy Parent is an incredible experience. Watching a puppy grow in confidence and knowing they’re learning skills that will one day give someone greater independence is something really special. It’s a privilege to play a small part in that journey.”
Training an assistance dog requires a significant investment over approximately two years, covering specialist training, veterinary care, equipment and ongoing support.
To help give Eevee, Strider and Onyx the very best start, Helpful Hounds is inviting local businesses, organisations and individuals to sponsor one of the puppies. Sponsors will help fund their training while receiving regular updates as they progress towards becoming fully qualified assistance dogs.
Anyone wishing to sponsor one of the puppies or support Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs can find out more at here.
