Our Story

Nelly is a petite Fox Red Labrador, born in 2021. She was bred and trained in Wiltshire to be a gun dog on the Longleat Estate, unfortunately she really didn't enjoy the work so the owners, who are friends, felt she would benefit from a new start, so she came to live with me & my husband!

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Her basic training was brilliant, however we had to a lot of work to do to get her confident and happy in new environments, I also started to take her to visit my parents who are in a care home - and it was at this point I noticed how happy and calm she was visiting them and saying hello to other residents. I also noticed that without exception she made people smile!

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We signed up to a local charity and visited other care homes and it was obvious Nelly was in her element, this was her first taste at therapy work.

 

My name is Jackie - having owned dogs and horses for many years, and also fostering over 30 dogs for a charity, I know the massive impact animals can have on your lives. I have worked for the NHS for many years and I have also worked supporting adults with learning disabilities, which means when I thought about the potential of combine 2 things I am very passionate about really was a no brainier.

 

Nelly and I then embarked on a little journey to reach our end goal, this involved me studying and qualifying as a dog trainer, further studying with PAWS Therapy Dog Training then an exam for me and assessment for Nelly, we qualified in October 2023.

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We are now a team of 2, going out and meeting fantastic clients and very much enjoying life!