Do you have a question about our family-focused workshops? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, that may just answer it for you.
Am I eligible?
Our autism workshops are open to parents of autistic children aged between 3-16 years. This includes those currently awaiting diagnosis although a formal diagnosis is not required.
Our physical disability workshops are for people aged 18 or over who have a physical disability themselves or have a family member (aged 3 or over) who has a physical disability.
Our dementia workshops welcome unpaid family carers and people living with dementia.
The workshops are suitable for all stages of dog ownership, whether you have an existing adult pet dog or a new dog or puppy as well as those without a dog but exploring the possibilities.
What is the cost of the workshops?
Our workshops cost £60 per ticket. This includes all pre-recorded content and resources on SharePoint, attendance at all workshops either in-person or on Teams. Plus, access to our specialist long-term aftercare and support. Please contact us if you require financial assistance.
How do I book the workshop?
You can book an autism, physical disability or dementia workshop here.
If they are fully booked or you can’t find a date to suit you, then you can register your interest in future workshops.
How long are the workshops?
If you are joining out online workshops, the introductory one is around 45 minutes and the three main workshops are all 1.5 to 2 hours.
There are three in-person autism workshops. They are four hours, starting at 10.30am and finishing at 2.30pm. There is one in-person dementia workshop – this is two hours long with start and end times varying.
Where does the in-person workshop take place?
The autism in-person workshop takes place at our Dogs for Good centre in Banbury. The address is The Frances Hay Centre, Blacklocks Hill, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 2BS.
The dementia in-person workshops take place at various locations across the country including in Helensburgh and Kirkintilloch.
I can no longer attend my booked group, what can I do?
We aim to be as flexible as possible and appreciate that circumstances can change. If you need to move your booking to another group, or wish to postpone your attendance, please get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
The £60 ticket fee is refundable upon cancellation up to 7 days before the first date of your original chosen group. Apart from exceptional circumstances, we are unable to offer refunds after this.
Is this service the same as the assistance dogs?
No, this is a separate service to the assistance dogs also offered by Dogs for Good. Our family-friendly workshops are for the dog you already own or are considering getting. Our assistance dogs are also for adults and children with a physical disability and autistic children but are provided for you.
Will you supply me with a dog?
We do not supply dogs to families. We are an education and support service for families with, or thinking about introducing, a pet dog in the home.
Can I attend the workshops if I don’t have a dog yet?
You do not need a dog in order to attend. Our workshops are ideal for families at every stage of dog ownership, such as if you:
- are currently considering getting a dog and researching how they can support yourself or a family member with a physical disability, a relative affected by dementia or your autistic child.
- are preparing to bring a dog home and would like help ensuring they meet your needs.
- already have a pet dog and would like to understand how they can support your family.
Our optional workshop is specially designed to guide families in the decision-making process, including how to source a dog and what type of dog might suit their family.
Can children attend the workshops?
These workshops are designed for adults (18 years plus) as the content may not be suitable for children. The groups are also designed to be a safe conversation space for adults only, therefore we politely request that your children do not attend. This includes the online workshops as well as the in-person ones.
What support is available after the workshop?
Ongoing support is available following the workshop. This includes email and telephone support, online resources, and a private Facebook group.
Will I be able to purchase materials and access support without, or before, attending the workshops?
Full attendance of the workshops is required to gain access to the team’s aftercare, support, and learning resources. Access to resources and support without attendance is unfortunately not available to purchase.
If your question has been answered and you are ready to book an autism, physical disability or dementia workshop, we look forward to meeting you.
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered here or you need further assistance please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’ll be happy to help. You can contact us via: [email protected] or call 01295 252600 and choose the ‘Family Dog’ option.
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