A dog rehoming charity has teamed up with a special educational needs (SEN) organisation to take on a scheme promoting responsible dog ownership.
The partnership of K9 Crusaders Dog Welfare and The Outdoor Place, both based near Truro, will see volunteers and young adults with SEN participating in the Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Training scheme.
The largest dog training programme in the UK, the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme has four tiers and assesses dog handling skills from the basics all the way to sending a dog to bed and heelwork off the lead.
Two groups of dogs will be put forward for the bronze award: the first consisting of K9 Crusaders Dog Welfare dogs needing homes, paired with volunteers from the charity; and the second consisting of young handlers from The Outdoor Place, with their own dogs.
Taking part for K9 Crusaders will be collie cross Lexy, spaniel cross Dexter, cockapoo Pippa, and senior resident Boid, along with four volunteer handlers.
Representing The Outdoor Place will be labs Olive and Lottie and retriever Rose, handled by Finn, Louis, and Linda respectively.
Kerrin Hollywood of K9 Crusaders Dog Welfare said: "Taking part in the Kennel Club Good Citizens award has provided a unique opportunity to enhance the skills of our staff, provide enrichment for the dogs, and also to reach out and help in the wider community."
Sue Smith, a representative from K9 Crusaders Dog Welfare, added: "We are thrilled to be taking part in the Good Citizens Award.
"This initiative not only helps our dogs achieve important milestones in their training, giving them a better chance of being rehomed in the future, but also lets us promote responsible dog ownership."
Charlotte from The Outdoor Place said: "We are so proud of the dedication our students have shown, it’s been a unique enriching experience for everyone involved."
More information about K9 Crusaders Dog Welfare and The Outdoor Place is available at https://www.caninecrusaders.org.uk/new-our-dogs/ and https://theoutdoorplace.co.uk.
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