Meet our people

Ed Bracher

Chief Executive Officer

Ed Bracher joined Dogs for Good as Chief Executive in November 2022. Prior to this, Ed was CEO at Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) an organisation which also has a deep understanding of the human-animal bond, albeit in a very different way to here at Dogs for Good. After 17 years at RDA, Ed brings a wealth of skills and experience which will help the charity grow and develop.

On joining Dogs for Good, Ed shared his passion for the charity and the positive impact dogs can make to people’s lives: “I’ve known Dogs for Good for a few years and have always been so impressed with the work that the charity does and the impact that it has. Dogs for Good is a charity doing something very special and unique. It’s a real privilege to be joining such a passionate and talented group of people; the commitment of the whole team – staff, volunteers and clients – really is the beating heart of Dogs for Good.

“I’m truly excited to be able to build on the work the charity has been doing and to develop the opportunities to broaden the recognition of the power of dogs and steer the charity into a future where we and our dogs impact many more lives and do more good.”

Helen McCain

Director of Training and Development

Over many years Helen has led the development of assistance dog services to help adults and children with a wide range of complex needs such as autism. Dogs for |Good was the first charity to launch assistance dog services for children in the UK in 2003 and Helen personally trained the charity’s first autism assistance dog in 2007.

Helen has played an integral role in setting standards for Assistance Dogs International and is also an assessor of assistance dog organisations around the world ensuring a high level of standards in all accredited organisations.
Helen’s belief that dogs are good for us has led the charity to continually explore new ways that dogs can help people. The charity’s Family Dog service gives specialist advice and support to help people get the most out of their relationship with their pet dog – the PAWS Family Dog workshops have helped over 700 families with a child with autism and PAWS workshops are now an international export with the service being offered by sister organisations in Australia, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.

Helen was instrumental in developing Dogs for Good’s Community Dog service, training therapy and activity dogs to work alongside specialist handlers in schools and communities. Together they help adults and children to overcome specific challenges and develop life skills.

Helen is a huge fan of cocker spaniels and has two of them as her companion dogs.

Olivia Rainford

Director of Income Generation

Olivia joined Dogs for Good in October 2022, bringing her expertise to lead a dynamic team focused on growing the charity’s reputation and generating vital funds to help us deliver our work.

Before joining Dogs for Good, Olivia spent eight years in Higher Education advancement, complemented by earlier experience working with charitable organisations to build meaningful engagement with their supporters.

Dogs for Good’s person-centred approach is always front and centre when talking about the charity’s impact, Olivia says “I tell this to anyone that will listen – the credibility and authenticity of our service provision is truly remarkable. Our team go above and beyond to deliver person-centred support that can really make a difference to people when they may be used to being labelled or having to fit their requirements into systems not built to meet their own individual needs.”

Looking to the future, Olivia hopes that Dogs for Good can continue to expand our reach, positively influencing the wellbeing of more individuals and families across the UK by increasing our collective understanding of the bond we share with dogs and the boundless possibilities this can bring.

Erica Mackay

Director of People

Erica joined Dogs for Good in September 2024 and leads all aspects of the charity’s people operations and strategy. She oversees a dedicated team committed to delivering an exceptional experience for both staff and volunteers, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported.

Before joining Dogs for Good, Erica spent seven years in leadership roles within the fast-paced tech sector. During this time, she gained extensive experience in people operations, culture development, and managing organisational change. Known for her progressive and pragmatic approach, Erica takes pride in fostering a people-first culture.

Passionate about empowering individuals to live their best and happiest lives, Erica draws inspiration from the incredible potential of the Dogs for Good team. She is dedicated to fostering connection, collaboration, and development and is excited about the positive impact the organisation can achieve as it continues to grow.

Cliff Hedley

Director of Finance

With a background spanning 40 years working in finance and eight years of that in the charity sector, Cliff Hedley joined Dogs for Good in January 2025 as Director of Finance.

“I had a really happy time working at my previous job and it was always going to be a tough act to follow,” he laughs. “When the role came up at Dogs for Good though, everything just felt right and I was really thrilled to be offered the position working for what I believe is a very progressive and innovative charity.”

Cliff and his wife are proud guardians of their two cats, Horace and Archie and a two and half year-old golden doodle called Tilly who, by his own admission, rules the house. “She’s a joy in our lives and the dynamic between her, Horace and Archie is fabulous. Prior to her arrival, Archie could be a bit worried about certain things and people but Tilly has really brought him out of himself. She’s worked some kind of doodle magic and Archie’s much more confident and happier to interact with people these days.”

Cliff is committed to helping Dogs for Good support as many people as it can through connection with dogs. “Dogs for Good’s ambition is to support 4000 people a year by 2028 and a solid financial platform is an essential part of making that a reality. People are so very generous with the donations and legacies they give to us and I feel strongly that we must honour their trust and belief in our work by ensuring every financial gift or donation is used intelligently and wisely.”

Helen Trimbrell

Co-Chair of Trustees

Helen Timbrell, an experienced trustee, was looking for a national charity near her home in Moreton-in-Marsh so she could feel more connected and be able to attend meetings and events more easily. After seeing the trustee role advertised and that Dogs for Good was looking for a focus on volunteer development, she felt her skills were a perfect fit.

With a background as a People Director in charities like the National Trust, Samaritans, and Girlguiding UK, Helen brings extensive volunteer management expertise. She now works as a consultant, researcher, and coach, supporting charities nationwide, and is an Associate at the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Bayes Business School.

Volunteering is Helen’s passion. She completed a PhD on the subject and currently volunteers with three organisations, including the National Trust’s Upton House. Though she doesn’t have a dog due to work commitments, she and her husband often care for friends’ dogs, particularly cocker spaniels.

Ruth Goddard

Co-Chair of Trustees

Ruth Goddard recently joined Dogs for Good as a trustee, drawn to the charity after meeting its volunteers at the Cornbury Festival and living locally in the Banbury area. When she saw the trustee role advertised, she knew it was the perfect fit.

With a 20-year background in finance as a CFO and Financial Director for growing, entrepreneurial organisations, Ruth brings valuable financial expertise and governance knowledge to Dogs for Good. She is excited by the opportunity to help improve the lives of many people through the charity’s work, fostering meaningful connections between people and dogs.

A lifelong dog lover, Ruth recently adopted a five-year-old rescue cavapoo named Lulu after losing her previous dog last year. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys staying fit, practicing yoga, and is currently perfecting her headstand. Ruth is eager to contribute to the charity’s growth and expand its reach to more people.

Claire Morton

Trustee

Claire Moreton has always had dogs in her life, including her current dog, Kiera, a labrador-golden retriever mix from Dogs for Good. Kiera is her son’s autism assistance dog and has made a profound impact on their family. This inspired Claire to apply for a trustee role at Dogs for Good, as she wanted to help others receive the same transformative gift.

As a mother of three, including twins, one with a physical disability and one with autism. Claire brings valuable insight into the challenges faced by families of children with disabilities. She believes her lived experience, alongside Kiera’s role, provides a unique perspective to the charity.

Claire is excited about Dogs for Good’s expanding services, many of which she wasn’t aware of when Kiera came to live with them three years ago. She is particularly fascinated by the potential of assistance dogs in fields like dementia and social care, calling their impact “mindblowing.” The bond these specially trained dogs create with individuals is what excites her most about serving on the trustee board.

Lynda Whittaker

Trustee

Lynda Whittaker has been involved with the Riding for the Disabled Association since 1996 and understands the therapeutic impact animals can have. She is excited to bring this experience to Dogs for Good, helping to enhance lives through the support of dogs.

As a business advisor in the social enterprise and charity sector in Scotland, Lynda brings expertise in governance, business planning, and safeguarding to the charity. She is inspired by Dogs for Good’s inclusive approach and is passionate about the powerful bond between people and dogs.

At home in Scotland, Lynda shares her life with Taz, a mischievous Jack Russell terrier who brings daily laughter. When not with dogs or horses, she enjoys working on crochet projects and relaxing with a good film.

Jane Fossey

Trustee

Jane Fossey joined Dogs for Good as a Trustee after 20 years of supporting the organisation. She has provided training on mental health and bereavement support and served on the research reference group for the Family Dog programme, AAI initiatives, and the Dementia Dog programme. Jane’s background as a leader in NHS Psychological Therapy Services brings valuable expertise in understanding people’s needs and fostering collaborative relationships with other agencies.

Jane has also held senior research positions, focusing on quality of care for people with dementia and factors impacting service delivery. She previously served as a Trustee for the Society of Companion Animal Studies, where she contributed to developing standards and training in animal-assisted interventions.

Having grown up with dogs, Jane has lived with a border terrier, border collies and a spaniel, some of whom accompanied her in therapy work. She also co-founded a community dog training club, helping others enjoy the joy that dogs bring into everyday life.

Alex Jordan

Trustee

Alex Jordan recently joined Dogs for Good as a trustee having followed the charity’s work for years and previously providing valuable autism training to its staff. Alex saw an incredible opportunity to deepen her involvement with the charity as it sought out more trustees.

With over 14 years of experience in health and social care, alongside three years working for a communication charity, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge to the Dogs for Good team. Passionate about inclusion and accessibility, she strongly believes that everyone, regardless of disability or diversity, should have equal access to information and the community. As a trainer, Alex is dedicated to empowering others with the knowledge they need to better understand and support those with disabilities.

Outside of her professional life, Alex enjoys exploring new places, spending time with friends, and breathing in the fresh air. As a member of Mensa, Alex loves exploring new opportunities and challenges, constantly seeking to expand her horizons.

As a lifelong dog lover, Alex is excited to support Dogs for Good’s ambitions in a meaningful way as a trustee.

Asvin Morjaria

Trustee

Asvin recently joined Dogs for Good as a trustee having been a volunteer for the past year. He was introduced to the charity by a friend who is a puppy socialiser and was impressed by the charity’s work and the people he met.

He is a semi-retired Finance Director who has worked with a variety of organisations including private equity, corporate and not for profit. He has extensive commercial, operational, strategic planning and governance experience to support the charity.

As a lifelong dog lover, he has a four year old labrador called Henry who came to live with him as a puppy, Asvin enjoyed training him so much he decided to qualify as a dog trainer. He utilises this experience by supporting puppy classes for the charity, which he really enjoys.

Outside of work he enjoys going to the gym, playing tennis and yoga. Asvin is keen to help improve the charity’s performance and meet its plans for growth.

Ben Cohen

Trustee

Ben is delighted to join Dogs for Good as a trustee. As a proud dog owner to Bill, a spirited sproodle, he appreciates the transformative connection between people and their canine companions and is passionate about the charity’s mission to enrich lives.

Ben is a Director at Good Innovation, where he supports charities in creating meaningful social impact. He previously led the innovation team at the British Red Cross and spearheaded the development of multi-million-pound products at Macmillan Cancer Support. His expertise includes strategic planning, fundraising, design thinking, and more recently, using artificial intelligence to help unlock the impact of charities.

What excites Ben most about Dogs for Good is seeing first-hand how the charity profoundly enhances people’s independence and quality of life through the unique partnership between humans and dogs. He is enthusiastic about using his experience to help the charity explore new pathways for impact and growth.

A recent ultramarathon runner, Ben had Bill accompanying him during some of his training sessions—though Bill wisely chose to keep his own distances much shorter!

Sam de Frates

Trustee

Sam is thrilled to be a Dogs for Good trustee, bringing both his passion and technical expertise to contribute to the charity’s incredible work.

Sam has always adored the unique bond between dogs and people, and having a brother who is disabled, he empathises with the physical and mental health challenges that individuals with disabilities face.

He is regularly inspired when he sees the Dogs for Good expert trainers and volunteers around his local town demonstrating both their powerful skills, as well as their deep care for making a difference to people’s lives

Currently the Vice President of Procurement at Mars Wrigley Europe, Sam brings 20 years of corporate experience. This role gives him the privilege of leading Mars’ Disability Associate Resource Group, a team that has made strides in advocating for inclusion, raising accessibility standards, and supporting exciting initiatives, such as Mars’ apprenticeship scheme for people with learning difficulties. Previously to Mars he held procurement roles at GSK, Barclays and Kearney.

Sam, his wife and their two children love spending time outdoors camping, running and cycling. They live in Brackley, with their cat (Marcel) and dog (Pascal).

Sarah Ready

Trustee

Sarah is an experienced marketing and communications professional who has also built and led commercial, fundraising, publishing and retail functions. She was excited to become a trustee at Dogs for Good because of the opportunity to bring her professional skills into an organisation aligned with her passion for the human-animal relationship.

Sarah is currently Director of External Relations at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) where she oversees; alumni relations, events, public engagement, admissions, student recruitment and widening participation, fundraising, trading, marketing and communications activities.

Sarah shares her home in Hertfordshire with her family and a small menagerie of animals. As a lifelong equestrian, she enjoys judging for several equestrian societies together with gardening (in a very amateur way).

Willie Anderson

Trustee

Willie Anderson is a recent addition to the Dogs for Good trustee pack. He and his wife Ann have been Dogs for Good volunteers since 2017, mainly boarding dogs for the Dementia Dog project in Scotland.

Willie has had a long charity sector career in senior finance and management roles. He set up as a consultant in 2023, helping various charities with finance and governance requirements. The Dogs for Good trustee role enables Willie to use his newly found available time with a charity that he cares deeply about.

Willie has had his own dogs for most of his life but since 2017 he has concentrated on dog boarding and fostering. He is especially interested in the autism and dementia-focused work carried out by Dogs for Good where he has seen first-hand the differences that can be made by dogs.

Outside of his work life, Willie has always loved playing, coaching and officiating in different sports, with his new passion being lawn bowls. You may also still spot him at Murrayfield, managing the sidelines in rugby’s Six Nations as a match official!