Bringing the whole family together
Holly, Langley and Preston
20/02/2024
Story
Holly is a very busy mum of five, fostering children that are neurodiverse as well as children with complex needs, emotional trauma and physical disabilities.
She’s always had a companion family dog and knew on an emotional level how her dog, Langley, became the family’s 'silent carer', offering non-judgemental and unconditional love and stability to the often very traumatised children in her care.
She signed up for Dogs for Good’s Family Dog workshops to learn more about creating a positive human-dog bond and the impact was profound.
"My husband commented afterwards about how hopeful I was. I wanted to try out what I’d learned and I realised that now, I didn’t feel so alone. I had confidence and was looking through this wonderful window of hope."
Holly and her family were devastated when their beloved Langley died but before too long, they felt able to welcome a handsome spinone x pointer puppy into their lives.
Very quickly after getting Preston, Holly signed up for the Family Dog workshops again.
"I felt I had to go back and relearn everything from scratch. Yes, I’d done the workshops before but I was now a puppy mum and I needed to focus my learning differently."
Holly involves her children in all of Preston’s learning and the whole family feel the benefits.
"He’s fundamental to my children’s wellbeing," she says. "He’s even written into their therapeutic care plans! He’s an amazing support and for me personally, I get so much joy from him. So much comfort.
Everything I’ve learned in the Family Dog workshops have meant that I totally understand him. I can anticipate his needs, support him and make sure his life is fulfilled and safe. And in return, he gives me and my family all his unconditional love which brings untold comfort and joy and makes life far richer for us."
Dogs like Langley and Preston open doors, they connect people, they offer non-judgemental support, and they help make life possible in so many ways.
Your support will enable more people to benefit from our dogs.
A breakthrough partnership that transformed a childhood
When autism assistance dog Caddie joined Joel’s family, no one could foresee how he’d help change the course of Joel’s life, helping him surpass what everyone thought possible.
Accessing the future with confidence
When Victoria’s daughter, Amelie, told her she ‘wished she wasn’t herself’ any more, it was time to rethink everything.
Opening up the possibilities to thrive
Style Acre provides person-centred services for 288 adults with learning disabilities and autism across Oxfordshire. The Dogs for Good community dog team supports people there to build life skills for themselves, helping them feel independent, confident and more connected to the world.