We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Christine with Ruby and Caroline with Wilma, have successfully passed their final assessments to become Dog Day volunteer teams – becoming part of our growing volunteer team in Scotland.
This is a milestone worth celebrating, as it reflects not only their hard work and commitment throughout the training and assessment process, but also the extraordinary support of our existing volunteers who help make our work possible.
For the past several months, our new teams have been on a journey of learning, practice and partnership. The training process involves developing skills not just in dog handling and understanding dogs, but in building the unique human-animal bond that helps our dogs bring comfort, connection and joy to people living with dementia.
The training pathway is designed to prepare both dog and handler to work safely and comfortably in a Dementia friendly setting. Volunteers were introduced to dementia awareness, learning how the diagnosis may impact an individual’s cognition, mood and daily living. Alongside this, they received hands-on and on-line guidance in positive reinforcement techniques – building trust, strengthening the bond between dog and handler, and ensuring that interactions are calm, enjoyable and consensual.
Becoming a Dementia Dog volunteer team is no small achievement. It requires dedication, empathy, and a willingness to learn – but it also brings incredible rewards. Our new volunteers have demonstrated all these qualities in abundance, and we are confident they will bring joy and support to the people they meet during the Helensburgh Dog Days.
We also would like to highlight and extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our current Dog Day volunteers. Your dedication over the years has laid the foundation for this success. You have shown what it means to give time and energy to a cause that truly changes lives, and your efforts continue to inspire new recruits to step forward.
As Caroline with Wilma and Christine with Ruby take their first steps into their volunteering roles, we hope they do so in the knowledge that they are part of a supportive and caring community. Together, with amazing dogs at the heart of what we do, we are helping to make life brighter for people living with dementia. We look forward to seeing the positive difference they will make in the months and years ahead!
Find out more about Dementia Dog and our Dog Days events.