The right path for our dogs
The matching process is a crucial step in finding the right path for each dog.
Around 12 weeks into our dogs' training, we begin to explore where their unique skills and personalities will shine - whether that's in an assistance dog partnerships, or in a role that will make a difference in the community.
All members of our training team who know our dogs best get together, including:
- Puppy Coordinators – they've known our dogs for the first 18 months of their lives
- Trainers – who have known our dogs during early training
- Instructors – they have all the important information about the potential roles our dogs could go on to do
Once they have found a potential role, our instructors will develop our dogs' confidence and abilities in any areas specific to that role, such as:
- Working in certain environments (such as the countryside, city centres, shopping centres)
- What transport they are likely to be using (public transport or in a car)
- Particular skills or abilities they may need (helping someone to undress, emotionally supporting a child in environments that they find difficult, or walking alongside a wheelchair)
For our assistance dog partnerships:
Our dog visits a potential partner’s home so they can meet and get to know each other. During this introductory visit, they also go for a walk together, giving everyone a chance to feel comfortable and confident with the match.
For our community dogs:
When a dog joins a community setting, they start by working alongside a member of our Community Dog team. This helps them settle in, learn new tasks, and gradually get ready to make a real difference in the community.
Jazz had been brought in and came trotting around to the front of me and we said hello to each other. The trainers asked if I’d like to take her for a little walk and… well, that was that really. A day later, I got the call asking if I’d like to train with Jazz and if that went OK, would I like her as my dog… I said yes; of course I said yes!