Support Dogs a paw closer to national centre of excellence following £40k Pets Foundation grant
Support Dogs is celebrating after receiving a £40,000 grant from the Pets Foundation to help create a state-of-the-art dog welfare area at its new Sheffield headquarters.
The national charity, established in the city 33 years ago, trains assistance dogs for autistic children, as well as for people with epilepsy or a physical disability.
After nearly 30,000 people accessed the charity’s application pages in 2024, it became clear the service needed to expand.
The grant will fund washing and drying facilities, a mock vet consultation room to desensitise dogs and health checks areas to keep dogs in peak condition.
These improvements will ensure every assistance dog receives the best care while preparing to transform lives.
Josie Brooks, service impact co-ordinator at Support Dogs, said: “This funding will have a monumental impact. It enables us to invest in quality equipment that will last for decades and give our dogs the best possible care.
"Fundraising for our core costs is an ongoing pressure, so grant of this size is something to celebrate.”
Sara Main, manager of the Pets Foundation, added: “We’re proud to fund Support Dogs in creating a safe environment for the dogs that transform lives every day.
"The Pets Foundation believes in creating a better world for pets and the people who love them and the work Support Dogs do helps make a difference every day.”
This is not the first time the Pets Foundation has supported the charity.
It previously awarded £85,000 to fund the training of autism assistance dog, Mandy, who has helped changed the life of a young girl called Alessa, in Derby.
Support Dogs recently moved from Brightside into a new fur-ever home at Elsworth House, on Herries Road South, in Hillsborough as part of its expansion plans to meet the growing demand.
For more information, please visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or call 0114 2617800.