Assistance dogs charity receives cash boost

THE Pet Vet has raised £16,000 in aid of a charity which trains assistance dogs for people affected by a wide range of conditions including MS, Cerebral Palsy and fibromyalgia.

As well as disability assistance dogs, Support Dogs also trains autism assistance dogs and epilepsy seizure alert dogs.

A total of £8,000 has been raised by The Pet Vet over six months, through in-surgery initiatives and colleague’s individual fundraising activities nationwide. It then matched the amount raised.

Fundraising efforts will continue to boost the £16,000 already donated

The Pet Vet will be able to name a Support Dogs puppy and follow their progress as they complete their training and are partnered with a family.

Fundraising efforts will continue with open days, sky dives and open-water swims planned over the next quarter.

Dr Mel Fuller, CEO of The Pet Vet, said: “This has been a real team effort across our group.

“From sponsored hikes and abseils, to bake sales and customer donations, it’s been wonderful to see our communities really getting behind our fundraising initiative.

“The work Support Dogs do is truly lifechanging and we look forward to continuing our commitment in raising vital funds for this incredible charity.”

Chris Daykin, corporate partnerships manager at Support Dogs, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everybody at The Pet Vet for raising such a significant amount of money and in such an impressively quick time.

“These funds come at a vital time as we look to grow our charity and will have a big impact on our ability to help more people affected by autism, epilepsy and physical disabilities.”

As well as contributing towards funding the care and training of new Support Dogs puppies, which costs approximately £27,000 per puppy over a two-year period, money raised will also contribute towards the development of their new national training centre.

This will generate a projected 300% increase in the families the charity is able to support.