Canine Partners

Canine Partners is a registered charity that assists people with physical disabilities to enjoy a greater independence and quality of life through the provision of specially trained dogs.

Since 1990, the charity has provided and trained more than 930 dogs that help disabled people including over 350 that are in action today.  The dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging.

They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency.

It takes approximately 18 months to train a canine partner from selection at eight weeks old through puppy training and advanced training until they are partnered with a disabled person. 

Each partnership has regular visits from the charity’s aftercare assistants and support and advice is available 24 hours a day.

There are 11 puppy training satellites across the UK where the pups are looked after by volunteers under the guidance of a Canine Partners’ trainer, during which time they learn obedience and some basic core tasks.

When the pups are around 14-16 months old, they come into the charity’s National Training Centre based in Leicestershire for five months to learn the advanced task work and to be matched with their future partner.

These life transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological, and social benefits including increased independence and confidence as well as increased motivation and self-esteem.

A canine partner also brings companionship, a sense of security and increases social interaction.

Canine Partners relies on donations to fund the creation of its life-transforming partnerships. 

It costs £30,000 to fund a partnership, from selection as a puppy right through to the dog’s retirement at about 12 years old.

We are having an information and demonstration afternoon for interested West Berkshire residents. 

It is a free, fun afternoon on Tuesday 21^st May 2024 in Chieveley Hall, RG20 8TE, from 2pm – 5pm to find out more about Canine Partners and the work we do, see a demonstration of how we train our dogs, hear first-hand from someone who has one of our life-changing assistance dogs, and talk to some of our volunteers about ways you can help the charity. 

Tea and coffee provided! 

Please register your interest so we know how many to cater for: https://caninepartners.org.uk/event/information-afternoon-west-berkshire/