What we do
We support veterans living with complex mental health challenges through highly trained assistance dogs and long-term, trauma-informed support.
Our work is built around one core belief; that with the right support, recovery, confidence, and independence are all possible.
Assistance dog partnerships
At the heart of our work are carefully matched assistance dog partnerships.
Each dog is trained to support a veteran in managing the challenges of PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and daily life, offering grounding, reassurance, and a renewed sense of safety and stability.
These partnerships are not created quickly. They are built with care, expertise, and time.
The PALS™ Programme
Our PALS™ (Partner Animal Life Skills) programme is the foundation of every partnership.
This is a structured, supported journey where the veteran and dog train together, developing trust, communication, and practical skills.
The programme includes:
- Careful matching of veteran and dog
- Structured residential training
- Ongoing mental health-informed support
- Long-term follow-up and guidance
Over time, this partnership can lead to a fully accredited assistance dog relationship — supporting independence, emotional regulation, and everyday life.
This structured approach ensures every partnership is safe, effective, and built to last.
Owner trained pathway
In some cases, veterans may be able to join our programme with their own dog.
Through our Owner Trained pathway, veterans and their dogs can undertake the PALS™ programme together, working towards an assistance dog partnership.
Your dog must meet specific suitability criteria, including appropriate temperament and behaviour, the ability to engage in training, and typically being under 3 years old at the point of assessment.
Not all dogs will be suitable, and we will always prioritise safety, welfare, and the long-term success of the partnership.
Support PAWS™ – supporting military children
Our work extends beyond veterans themselves.
Through Support PAWS™, we work in schools to support children from Armed Forces families, particularly those experiencing challenges linked to mobility, deployment, and family separation.
Working alongside schools, parents, and pastoral teams, our trained community dogs help children:
- Build emotional resilience
- Develop confidence and social skills
- Improve emotional regulation
- Feel calmer, more secure, and better able to engage in learning
This early support helps strengthen families and communities connected to military life.
Our approach
Everything we do is grounded in professionalism, care, and ethical practice.
Our work is trauma-informed, focused on long-term outcomes, and designed to support both veteran wellbeing and dog welfare.
Our training is entirely positive and reward-based, using enrichment-led methods that support confident, well-adjusted dogs.
We do not use aversive techniques or equipment.
We are proud to be accredited by Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) and aligned with Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards — reflecting our commitment to safety, quality, and best practice.
