The Support Dogs' programs provide vital assistance to individuals living with autism, epilepsy, and physical disabilities. Their highly trained dogs not only offer safety and companionship but also help foster greater independence, confidence, and social inclusion for both the individuals and their families. Entirely funded by donations, Support Dogs delivers these life-changing services to those in need.
Support Dogs’ autism assistance program focuses on helping children with autism, many of whom struggle with communication and have a limited sense of danger. In the UK, 1 in 100 children is diagnosed with autism, and around half are prone to wandering away from caregivers, which can lead to dangerous situations. Autism assistance dogs are specially trained to ensure safety and provide companionship, promoting a more independent and socially inclusive lifestyle for both the children and their families. With one of these dogs by their side, families gain peace of mind, knowing their child is better protected and supported in their daily lives.
The organisation also trains seizure alert dogs to provide critical, potentially life-saving assistance to people with epilepsy. These dogs are trained to give a 100% accurate warning up to an hour before a seizure, allowing individuals time to find a safe space before the seizure begins. With the help of a seizure alert dog, these risks can be greatly reduced. This newfound confidence allows individuals to manage daily activities that can now be done independently and safely.
Support Dogs also trains disability assistance dogs to aid individuals with a variety of physical disabilities. These dogs help with everyday tasks, giving their owners the ability to regain independence and improve their overall quality of life. For many, this increased independence boosts their confidence and encourages social engagement within their communities. In addition, these support dogs often relieve family members from the demands of being primary caregivers. In many cases, both the individual and their family are able to return to work as a result of the support the assistance dog provides.
A touching example of the impact of the Support Dogs programs can be seen through 11-year-old Emmy Worthy, who recently won the Junior Drawing prize at the Sheffield Young Artists competition, hosted by the Rotary Club of Abbeydale. Emmy's winning artwork featured Howard, a trainee support dog her family has been fostering for Support Dogs. Emmy’s love for Howard shines through in her artwork, which has been showcased at various exhibitions across Sheffield, including at the Central United Reformed Church and Sheffield Botanical Gardens.
When reflecting on her win, Emmy shared, “I had never used pastel pencils before, but Howard’s fur turned out just right. I’m so happy I won.” Her mother, Ali, a physiotherapist, added, “They are so sweet together – they snuggle up and both the girls love playing with him. She helps us to do all of Howard’s training with him too.”
Support Dogs doesn't use kennels for their dogs. Instead, dogs like Howard can live with volunteer foster families when they're not in training. Ali explained that her motivation to become a foster carer stemmed from a personal experience with a patient … who sadly took his own life and he was autistic. My colleague was thinking of taking up volunteering as a support dog foster carer and it just really made me think that if this guy had some kind of support dog, he might still have been alive. I just really want to give something back.” Support Dogs continues to transform lives, thanks to the dedication of volunteers like Emmy's family and the generosity of donors.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer or learning more about how you can support their work, please visit their website here.
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