Retirement
How we care for our dogs as they wind down from work and enjoy their well-deserved retirement.
Our dogs naturally start to slow down as they get older, so we keep an eye on how they are coping with their work.
Our dogs’ instructors start to talk about semi-retirement at around nine years old, and most dogs officially retire at 11 or 12 years old.
Some people like to keep their dog if they’re able to - others arrange for them to be re-homed with family or close friends. If neither of these options are available, we have plenty of people who would like to re-home our retired dogs.
Successor dog partnerships
Because of the invaluable help our dogs provide, when their dog retires from being an assistance dog, many of the people we support are matched with a successor dog.
Andy and successor dog Rufus
Andy was a London police officer whose career ended when a bicycle accident left him with life-changing spinal injuries. Andy was partnered with his first assistance dog Henry, who became a faithful companion and willing helper around the house for 10 wonderful years. Then the time came for Henry to retire, and our dog Rufus stepped in to become Andy's successor dog.
Rehoming our dogs
When our dogs are ready to move on from their working lives either because they’re retiring after years of loyal service, or because they’ve been withdrawn from training for health or behavioural reasons.
We carefully assess each dog’s individual needs and find loving homes where they can enjoy a happy and comfortable life. Older dogs may need more veterinary care or a special diet, and we’ll always ensure they receive the right support as they settle into their new surroundings.
Giving a home to a retired or withdrawn dog is a truly rewarding experience, offering them the chance to enjoy a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement.