Puppy carnage at our latest Puppy Socialiser Day! 

On Monday we held one of our Puppy Socialiser Days, bringing together some of our brilliant Puppy Socialisers and Respite Carers at beautiful Anran in Devon. 

We were joined by several of our Socialisers (and some of their own dogs), a couple of Veterans With Dogs pups nearing the end of their socialisation phase, and our three newest recruits; Edison, Lindy and little Sunny, who at just 16 weeks old is currently the baby of the Veterans With Dogs family! 

And, as you can imagine, there was plenty of puppy carnage! 

These days are a wonderful opportunity for our pups to play, chase, splash, swim, sniff, tumble, learn and explore the gorgeous grounds at Anran which are all valuable experiences as they grow and develop. 

Socialisation is a hugely important part of our puppies’ early lives. With the support of our Puppy Socialiser families, they experience a wide variety of people, places, environments and situations, helping them develop into happy, confident and well-rounded young dogs. 

Becky Aggett, Head of Dog Training and Behaviour at Veterans With Dogs, said: 

“These days are a great opportunity to see our puppies at different stages of their development and for them to experience being around other dogs in a safe and positive environment. 

“Socialisation helps our puppies develop the confidence and resilience they need for everyday life, but it’s also important that they get to play, explore and simply enjoy being dogs… and there was certainly plenty of that happening at Anran!” 

Part of the VWD family 

The days are just as important for the humans. They give our Socialisers and Respite Carers the chance to get together, exchange ideas and experiences, talk to our team about training and spend time with others who understand exactly what puppy socialising involves – both the wonderful bits and the occasional challenging ones! 

One of our Puppy Socialisers summed it up perfectly: 

“I love coming to the Puppy Socialiser Days because we feel so much a part of the family. It’s great to catch up with the other Socialisers, share experiences and, of course, it’s great for the pups to have fun together too.” 

Our Puppy Socialisers give an incredible amount of time, patience, care and commitment to our puppies during this important stage of their development. For some pups, their journey will eventually see them carefully matched with a veteran living with mental health challenges before progressing together through our Partner Animal Life Skills (PALS) programme. 

Jenny Young, CEO of Veterans With Dogs, said: 

“Our Puppy Socialisers and Respite Carers are a very special part of the Veterans With Dogs family. They help provide the foundations that could ultimately enable a dog to make an extraordinary difference to a veteran’s life. 

“Days like this are also a chance for us to support our Socialisers – to bring everyone together, share experiences and enjoy being part of the journey. We simply couldn’t do what we do without them.” 

A huge thank you to our wonderful Puppy Socialisers and Respite Carers for everything you do for our pups. 

Could you help raise one of our future assistance dogs? 

We are always keen to hear from people who might be interested in becoming a Puppy Socialiser and playing a very special part in a Veterans With Dogs puppy’s journey. 

You’ll welcome one of our puppies into your home, help introduce them to the sights, sounds and experiences of everyday life, and support their development, with plenty of guidance from our experienced team along the way. 

It’s a big commitment, but an incredibly rewarding one. The puppy you help to raise could one day go on to form a life-changing partnership with a veteran living with mental health challenges.

Autumn Adventures

Autumn is a lovely time of year to enjoy walks with our dogs. Cooler temperatures, crisp leaves and all those new smells make it an exciting season for our four-legged friends. However, there are a few seasonal hazards to be aware of.

🌙 Stay visible on darker evenings

As the days get shorter, many of us will be walking our dogs in low light or darkness. If you’re walking near roads or in poorly lit areas, make sure both you and your dog can be easily seen.

Reflective coats, harnesses, collars and leads can all help. An LED collar or flashing light can also make your dog much easier to spot.

It’s a good idea to choose well-lit routes where possible and remember to check that your dog’s ID tag is secure and their microchip details are up to date.

🌧️ Dry your dog after wet walks

Autumn weather often means wet grass, puddles and plenty of mud!

When you get home, give your dog a good rub down with a towel, paying particular attention to their paws, tummy and legs. Wet or muddy fur can become uncomfortable, particularly for dogs with longer coats.

Take a moment to check between their toes and pads too, removing any mud, grit or small pieces of debris that may have become trapped.

Keeping an old towel by the door is always useful during the wetter months!

🍎 Be careful with autumn foods

There are plenty of interesting things for dogs to sniff and investigate during autumn, but not everything they find is safe to eat.

Acorns, fallen fruit, fungi and other seasonal items can all cause problems if eaten. Try to discourage your dog from picking up things you can’t identify.

At home, remember that some foods that are perfectly safe for people can be harmful to dogs. Keep human food and leftovers safely out of reach and stick to treats that are suitable for dogs.

Teaching your dog a reliable “leave it” or “drop it” command can be particularly useful during autumn walks.

🌰 Watch out for conkers and acorns

Conkers can be very tempting for dogs to pick up and carry, but they can make dogs ill if eaten. Acorns can also be harmful.

Keep an eye on what your dog is picking up during walks, particularly in areas where there are lots of conkers or acorns on the ground. If your dog enjoys carrying things, taking a favourite toy or some suitable treats along can help distract them.

It’s also worth watching out for mushrooms, fallen fruit, litter and discarded food.

🐾 If your dog eats something they shouldn’t

If you think your dog has eaten something potentially harmful, contact your vet for advice as soon as possible. Don’t try to make your dog sick or give them home remedies unless your vet specifically tells you to.

A little extra care can help keep autumn walks safe and enjoyable for both you and your four-legged companion. So grab your coat, your dog’s lead and a towel for the muddy return home – and enjoy the season! 🍂🐾

 Preparing Your Dog for Fireworks

As autumn progresses, fireworks season can bring some challenging evenings for our dogs. The loud bangs, flashes and unfamiliar noises can be frightening, even for dogs who don’t normally seem worried by loud sounds.

There are a few simple things you can do to help your dog feel safer:

1. Remember, every dog is different. For some, fireworks may be a minor nuisance, while for others they can be genuinely frightening. A little preparation beforehand can make those noisy evenings much easier for both you and your four-legged friend. 🐾❤️
2. Create a safe space: Set up a quiet, comfortable area where your dog can retreat. Their bed, favourite blanket and some familiar toys can help make it feel secure.
3. Keep windows and curtains closed: This can reduce both the noise and flashes of light.
4. Put some background noise on: Television, radio or calming music can help mask some of the sounds outside.
5. Walk before dark: Try to give your dog their main walk earlier in the day, before fireworks are likely to start. Always make sure doors and gates are secure when letting them outside.
6. Stay calm: Dogs can pick up on our emotions. Try to behave normally and calmly, offering reassurance if your dog seeks you out.
7. Don’t force interaction: If your dog wants to hide, let them. Give them space and allow them to come to you when they’re ready.
8. Speak to your vet if your dog is very frightened: If your dog becomes extremely distressed during fireworks, your vet can discuss ways of helping them before fireworks season begins.

Woo hoo! We’ve done it again!

We are absolutely delighted to share some very exciting news! Veterans With Dogs and our wonderful friends at Forthglade have won the Small Charity Corporate Partnership award at the Third Sector Awards 2026!

“Forthglade has become part of the Veterans With Dogs family. To see a partnership that began here in Devon recognised on a national stage is incredibly special.” Sally Williams, Chair of Trustees

This is an exceptionally special award for us. Our partnership with Forthglade began nine years ago, bringing together two Devon organisations with a shared love of dogs and a belief in the incredible difference they can make to people’s lives. Since then, Forthglade has become so much more than a corporate supporter. They provide food for our dogs, fundraise for us, help raise awareness and, most importantly, genuinely believe in what we do.

It’s our second Third Sector award too!

Last year, we were completely blown away to be named Small Charity of the Year 2025 at the Third Sector Awards. To return this year and win again, this time alongside a partner who has been part of our journey for nine years, is something we’re incredibly proud of.

“We’re absolutely thrilled! Forthglade has been part of our journey for nine years, and this award is a wonderful recognition of a very special partnership. We’re incredibly proud to share it with them, and excited about what we can achieve together next.” Jenny Young, CEO

The award was presented in London on 11 September, and we couldn’t be happier to bring it home to Devon! A huge thank you to everyone at Forthglade for standing alongside us, our veterans and our dogs for the past nine years.

And thank you to all of you who support Veterans With Dogs and make what we do possible.