Connection, calm and confidence building
PAWS for Thought
28/11/2025
Story
Our Community Dog team members, Natashya and Sandy, helped to deliver a small group Animal Assisted Service at one of Alzheimer Scotland’s Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centres.
This partnership brought wagging tails, gentle paws and a supportive community for individuals recently diagnosed with dementia. Over eight themed sessions, a skilled collaborative team between Dogs for Good and Alzheimer Scotland worked to deliver meaningful and effective sessions, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.
The programme was built around weekly themes of connection, joy, self-care, strength, power, peace and paws, and reflection and odyssey. Through gentle movement, mindfulness, connection and companionship each week added a new layer of experience, always centred on the wellbeing of both the people taking part and Community Dog Sandy.
From the first session, it became clear this was more than an activity group – it was a safe space where people felt free to share how they were feeling, to laugh, and to build friendships.
"I can’t wait to come here, it gets me out of the house. I didn’t do anything or go anywhere before. Now I wake up and keep checking my watch for when I can leave home to get to this group."
- PAWS for Thought programme participant
The structured but flexible approach helped the group choose and go on to achieve their goals to:
- Connect with an Alzheimer Scotland group – achieved through shared laughter, reminiscence, and friendships that now continue beyond the sessions. People who had never attended groups before are now regularly involved in other Alzheimer Scotland activities.
- Increase movement – each session incorporated gentle movement including QiGong lead by the amazing Alzheimer Scotland activities coordinator, along with gentle games with Sandy helping to encourage regular physical activity.
- Improve confidence – working with Sandy, creating meaningful artwork and talking openly, gave participants a real sense of achievement and self-confidence.
- Learn breathwork techniques – gentle interaction with Sandy, breathwork practices and relaxing music all gave participants practical strategies to manage stress and promote relaxation beyond the sessions. Sandy found this section particularly relaxing and would often join in by taking a contented nap!
Every theme added something special: connection through fun introductions, joy through play and laughter, self-care through mindful breathing with a dog’s calming presence, strength through movement, power by finding your superpower, and peace and paws through stillness and quiet companionship. Finally, reflection and odyssey allowed the group to look back on their journey, recognising achievements and setting their sights on what comes next.
"The people I have met here have been beautiful and got me out of the house."
- PAWS for Thought programme participant
That sense of belonging was echoed across the group, with participants describing how friendships had been formed and confidence had grown week by week.
The handler played a central role too, guiding both our dog and participants, ensuring every interaction was safe, positive and enriching. Feedback from the professionals working alongside our Community Dog included how participation in the Animal Assisted Service had a huge impact – lifting mood and creating a positive shift.
By the end of the programme, the room was not only filled with smiles (some happy tears) and joyful memories, but also with new friendships and renewed confidence. PAWS for Thought is a clear example of how innovative approaches enrich lives, and another reminder of the extraordinary impact our dogs can have when given the opportunity to work alongside people – bringing joy, calm, and connection where it’s needed most.
We can’t put a price on the life-changing connection with a dog, but your support will enable more people, and their families, to make their lives possible.
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